Most of us are new to leading a Scout Pack or Den. This is not a career; it is something we do to support our boys for the few brief years they are in the Cub Scouts. So don’t feel bad if you don’t know what to do, where to go for a hike, or how to prepare for a camping trip.

The good news is that there are an amazing number of places to go and things to do in the great outdoors without flying to Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, most of then within 1-2 hours of Bronxville.

Fortunately, the Boy Scouts of America, including our local council (the Westchester Putnam Council) provide many resources for us to figure these things out. This page is an introduction to the resources available to you.

Ø Training

Ø Places to go: Camping

Ø Places to go: Hiking / Nature Preserves

Ø Places to go: Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting

Ø Scouting Resources on the Web

Ø Scouting Forms

Training:

The Scouts offer a number of training courses, some of which are optional, some of which are recommended, and some of which are mandatory.

Ø A good starting point for training is the training web page at the Westchester Putnam Scout Council Web site. The council training site describes all of the training available and has a calendar.

Ø Another useful site is the Cub Scout training page on the main Boy Scouts of America web site.

Ø Overview of Required Training:

1. ONLINE: The first thing every new leader should do is to take the Cub Scout Fast Start Leader Training. Fast Start is a short, web/video-based training program designed to provide specific information related to a leader's volunteer position. This is the first and prerequisite training to the training opportunities that follow. A viewer guide is used with the video to enhance learning and provide an additional resource that stays with the leader. If you cannot access this training on the web, the videotape is available from the Westchester Putnam Council. The training has segments appropriate for your leadership position in the pack (e.g. Tiger Den leader, Webelos Den leader, Cubmaster, etc.)

2. ONLINE: Every leader needs to take the Youth Protection Guidelines course. When you register (online) to take the course, your Council is “Westchester Putnam” and your Pack is “5”. A registered adult leader with Youth Protection Training is required on all Pack and Den trips and outings! . If you cannot access this training on the web, the videotape is available from the Westchester Putnam Council.

3. CLASSROOM: Every leader needs to take the New Leader Essentials course. New Leader Essentials is a 90-minute classroom course that covers the objectives of the Scouting program, and the methods that are used to achieve these objectives. Check the Council web site for scheduled classes.

4. CLASSROOM: Every leader also needs to take Cub Scout Leader Specific Training. This is a 2-hour classroom course with five different breakout courses relating to specific Cub Scouting positions. Each leader completes the specific course for his or her position in the program. These courses are for Cubmasters and Assistants, Pack Committee Chair and members, Tiger, Wolf and Bear Den Leaders, Webelos Leaders and Assistant. Check the Council web site for scheduled classes.

Ø Overview of Optional Training (some of which is required for specific activities):

1. OUTDOORS: Webelos Leader Outdoor Training Weekend - This training is for Webelos Leaders and their Assistants, Cubmasters, Wolf and Bear Leaders who will continue into Webelos and interested parents. Topics covered include Webelos Outdoor Activities (health and safety issues, hiking and camping concerns, outdoor ceremonies), outdoor-related activity badges (Outdoorsman, Naturalist, Forester, and Geologist), values of the outdoor program, identifying and conducting Webelos outdoor activities, Planning Overnight Campouts, and Campfire Planning. This class is generally taught at Clear Lake. Check the Council web site for scheduled classes.

2. OUTDOORS: Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO): BALOO training is for any Cub Scout leader with a desire to plan and carry out an entry-level outdoor experience for the pack. The Pack must have at least one BALOO trained leader to go camping! BALOO covers

§ Aims and purposes of the BSA outdoor program

§ Health and safety issues

§ Program elements

§ Campfire Planning

§ Campfire demonstration

§ Outdoor equipment

§ Planning for success

§ Cub Scout cooking

§ First aid and sanitation

§ Nature Hikes and Games

§ Stoves Lanterns and Fire safety

This class is generally taught at Clear Lake. Check the Council web site for scheduled classes.

3. CLASSROOM: Cub Scout Leader Roundtables: Roundtables are conducted monthly on the district level by the District Cub Roundtable Commissioner and Staff for the purpose of giving adult leaders the skills and ideas they need to deliver an exciting Cub Scout program to boys. The Roundtable serves also to renew each leader's enthusiasm and dedication. The subject of each roundtable is selected to emphasize important aspects of Cub Scouting and follows the annual Pack Planning Calendar and Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Program Guides. Four Rivers Roundtables are held the first Thursday of each Month (check the Council Calendar to be sure) at Roosevelt High School (Tuckahoe Road and Central Avenue.)

4. ONLINE: Safe Swim and Safety Afloat: For Pack events involving swimming or boating, at least one leader must be trained in Safe Swim and Safety Afloat respectively.

Ø If you have questions about training, please contact Donna Ragusa at 472-7567. Donna is the training coordinator for Four Rivers District, one of 5 districts in the Westchester Putnam Council. Four Rivers District includes Bronxville, Crestwood, Eastchester, Mt. Vernon, Tuckahoe and Yonkers.

Ø Forms for training are online here.

Places to go: Camping

The first place to go camping is our very own Westchester Putnam Council camp, Clear Lake, in nearby Putnam County. Clear Lake Scout Reservation boasts 1,400 acres of largely undeveloped land with many campsites and miles of hiking trails. Two lakes offer boating and swimming opportunities in season. Hiking trips can be easily extended into the bordering Fahnestock State Park which hosts the Appalachian Trail. Potable water is centrally located and the Sperling Center and pavilion offer basic shelter from the elements.