Volunteer Training Summit Special Needs Class List
Updated Feb 29, 2024
| Session | Course Title | Course Description | Instructor |
| 7 | CED 115 – Light Weight Backpacking | Go on, get out there!! Backpacking can be as effortless as a hike in the park. No need to subject yourself to the Bataan Death March! Don’t be a back-pack mule, come and learn about the latest inexpensive light weight back packing technology and techniques. A little talking, a lot of touch and feel of the “stuff.” | Brian Macari |
| 1 | CED 118 – Eating Well on the Trail! | It doesn’t have to be oatmeal and granola! If you give it some thought and plan ahead, the trail meals can be exciting, entertaining, and engaging! | Greg Oates |
| 1 | CED 144 – Introduction to the Principles of LNT | A detailed introduction to the seven principles of Leave No Trace. The principles are the same no matter where we go or what we do in the outdoors, but we interpret them differently when we’re in an established campground (front country) versus when we’re in the backcountry, such as a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail or at Philmont. Application of the principles in both contexts will be discussed. This course is a must for leaders new to the BSA program and a good refresher for experienced leaders as well. | Mike Garant |
| 3 | CED 150 – Cold Weather Camping | This winter take the tents – chuck the cabin. Wake up with six inches of fresh snow on your tent, and enjoy it! These techniques will teach you how. | Greg Oates |
| 4 | CED 154 – Heritage & Symbology of Scouting | Scouting is rich in tradition and history. This class will shed light on how the implementation of today’s Scouting program was built on the foundations laid by Lord Baden Powell over 100 years ago and implemented in America by James West in the early 20th century. We will explore how the methods of today’s Scouting program seek to achieve the aims of Scouting, which were built on these traditions and history. A deeper understanding of Scouting traditions and history will help you in your own understanding of the Scouting program, and improve your ability to explain the Scouting program to others. | Dan Lentz |
| 2 | CED 169 – STEM-tastic Scouting – Inspiration, Imagination and Innovation | This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) session is designed to help you, your unit, district or council integrate STEM programs and activities into your current programming. Whether you are involved in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA or Venturing, this course takes a fresh approach to open the STEM program to all Scouting youth. Discussions on how to implement, modify, and incorporate STEM programs through organized activities is the focus. Excitement, roadblocks, funding, recruitment, training, resources, and tracking are covered. | Bill Montgomery |
| 4 | CED 170 – Preparing a Crew for Philmont – A Parent/Leader’s Perspective | This class will cover all aspects of crew preparation, from submitting your application to your arrival at the Philmont Scout Ranch. You will discover how to select your trail, how to pick your crew, how to overcome the transportation nightmare, what equipment you’ll actually need, some of the hidden expenses, how to lighten the admin load, and how to prepare your crew for the most enjoyable adventure ever. | Matt Cook |
| 5 | CED 189 – Wilderness Survival | Both Scouting and Venturing support Wilderness Survival programs. Review the basics of WS and understand how it differs between programs. Learn how to use it as a tool to prepare the younger Scouts for high adventure and to challenge the older Scouts, which boosts retention, facilitating rank advancement, and deeper exposure to the 3 aims of Scouting. | Victor Torres |
| 2 | CED 190 – Planning Ahead for a Backpacking Trip – This One is for the Females! | Planning a multi-day female backpacking trip? This course is crafted to equip you with the skills and insights for an empowering outdoor experience. We will delve into the essential elements of backpacking, covering hygiene, attire, and gear selection to ensure you’re well-prepared for the adventure. | Heather Verdin |
| 4 | CED 201 – Hammock Camping | It is not all tents and cabins when Scouts and Scouters go camping! Hammock camping is a different way to slumber in the outdoors! Forget about that hammock in the stand in your neighbor’s backyard, in this course we will share information on different types of portable hammocks which can be used while camping in all types of weather in the great outdoors! | Bill Cunnane |
| 4 | CED 204 – Orienteering Resources for the Unit Leader | This course will explore the role of Navigation and Orienteering in each of the Scouting programs and will provide the Unit Leader with local orienteering resources. It will also suggest ready-made activities that SMs can leverage for Scout advancement. | John Gillette |
| 4 | CED 208 – BSA High Adventure – in Maine? | Have you heard about Matagamon High Adventure Base in Maine? Learn about the exciting outdoor Scouting opportunities available beyond your local Council through the High Adventure programs offered by other BSA Councils. This course focuses on the Main High Adventure program operated by the Katahdin Area Council. Learn about the exceptionally flexible backcountry program for Venture crews and older Boy Scouts. Learn how the Maine High Adventure program can support, reinforce, and extend your unit’s outdoor program offerings. Find out how remote the canoeing locations are. Find out how easy it can be to plan your unit’s trip to northern Maine. And learn how memorable the experience will be for every participant. | Raymond Brown |
| 3 | CED 211 (CSP 219) – Scoutbook 101 Cub Scout Pack Edition | In early 2015 the Boy Scouts of America announced the acquisition of Scoutbook.com (aka Scoutbook). Scoutbook is a web-based unit management, communication and advancement tracking tool. In this class we will explore the tool and show you how to use Scoutbook to manage your Pack. We will review how to manually enter new Scouts, how to link to Scoutnet to import your charter information, how to track leader training, how to track Cub Scout advancements and upload those advancements to Scoutnet. We will show how to use Scoutbook to send email to unit members and how to use the built-in calendar. Scoutbook makes managing your Pack much easier – come learn how! | Symphony Walkley Bill Cunnane |
| 2 | CED 212 – Scoutbook 101 Scouts BSA Troop Edition | In early 2015 the Boy Scouts of America announced the acquisition of Scoutbook.com (aka Scoutbook). Scoutbook is a web-based unit management, communication and advancement tracking tool. In this class we will explore the tool and show you how to use Scoutbook to manage your Troop. We will review how to manually enter new Scouts, how to link to Scoutnet to import your charter information and how to track leader training. We’ll explore how you AND your Scouts can track their Rank Advancement, sign up for and track Merit Badge work (and show you how to assign Merit Badge Counselors within the tool) and how to upload all advancement information to Scoutnet. We will show how to use Scoutbook to send email to unit members and how to use the built-in calendar. Scoutbook makes managing your Troop much easier – come learn how | Symphony Walkley Bill Cunnane |
| 5 | CED 214 – NYLT – What the Course must BE and What Leaders need to KNOW for Their Youth to DO Leadership Skills Training | National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) has been described as giving a life-long advantage to the Scouts who complete the course. This course-intended for adult leaders and parents of prospective course participants-is youth-led and explains the basics of – What is NYLT? as well as – What is its purpose? It covers how to determine if youth at this point in their Scouting careers are ready to attend, and provides some information on synergy between adult leaders attending The Course for the Wood Badge while their youth leaders attend NYLT. It also provides information that parents will want to know to help them support their youth. Topics of how the benefits participants receive from the skills gained from taking the course and how that can affect their lives outside of Scouting are also discussed. | Chuck Chamberlain |
| 6 | CED 225 – Outdoor Ethics Games | Games are the best way to incorporate Outdoor Ethics activities seamlessly into your unit’s program! Spend two sessions playing more than a half-dozen Outdoor Ethics games led by an experienced facilitator. Emphasis will be placed on how to properly conduct and debrief games so that participants will all have fun and learn a consistent message. Additional resources for Outdoor Ethics games and activities will be shared. | Emory Young |
| 2 | CED 228 (CSP 120) – Outdoor Ethics for Cub Scouts and First Year Scouts BSA | BSA Outdoor Ethics is integral to Scouting. Learn how the Leave No Trace Bigfoot’s Playbook can be used with your outdoor program and advancement requirements for Scouts 6 to 13 years old. Found out how the 38 activities in this guide can help you to develop and incorporate Outdoor Ethics activities into your Pack and Troop outings. | Chris Kelly |
| 6 | CED 230 – Inclusive Menu Planning | This course provides an opportunity to look at how different menu requirements such as allergies and auto-immune issues like Celiac’s can be incorporated into our Scout menu planning as part of the effort to retain these Scouts and families. | Kurt Behrend |
| 3 | CED 237 (SBP 237) – The Role of the Outdoor Ethics Guide in the Troop | The Outdoor Ethics Guide position counts as a position of responsibility for Star, Life, and Eagle Scout rank requirements. Although the position can be held by any Scout, those who have more experience with Outdoor Ethics will be the most successful. This session will provide information to help Scouts and their adult leaders understand how to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Troop Outdoor Ethics Guide and be able to serve as a member of the Patrol Leaders’ Council representing outdoor ethics. Both youth and adults are encouraged to attend. | Tobi Kester |
| 1 | CED 244 – Trek Leader & Advanced Outdoor Leader Training | Outdoor treks provide the excitement that many older Scouts and Venturers are looking for. With this added excitement comes the responsibility to pay close attention to every detail. Your planning must anticipate weather changes, the itinerary’s difficulty, and crew dynamics. Trek Leader Planning and Advanced Outdoor Skills is designed to help Scouting leaders prepare for a trek. Participants will leave prepared to teach other Scouters the outdoor skills needed for extended-stay outdoor activities. | Bill Montgomery |
| 3 | CED 256 – Family Scouting & the Linked-Troop Concept | This course has two purposes. First, how to coordinate the new linked-Troop for girls with an existing Troop for boys. Second, how to explain the Scouts BSA concept to both girls and their parents that have no Scouting experience. The course will provide a summary background in what we previously called “Boy Scouting,” and necessary organization and details needed for interested girls and parents of what to expect in the program. We will also review youth leadership differences with a new Troop and an existing Troop, and how to start up with no trained youth leaders. Activity cost, camping trips, leadership, and youth training can be structured around your current Troop for success with both Troops. | Chip Galloway |
| 7 | CED 261 – Leading a Conservation Project | Three hours of conservation-related service are required for the Life rank. A good conservation project has a lasting impact on the environment, and it is important that Scouts understand what that impact is. This session will teach how to conduct a conservation project, including project selection and significance, tool use, and safety. | Chris Castillo |
| 1 | CED 262 – Advanced Backcountry Leave No Trace Techniques | Do you know what a bear cannister is? Or a mound fire? Or a poop tube? You probably never had to use any of these camping at Broad Creek, but if you’re going out into the wilderness, you’ll want to be prepared. This session highlights a number of advanced techniques to minimize your impact when going on outings in the backcountry. | Ken Miner |
| 1 | CED 271 – DEI in Scouting | Introduction to diversity, equity and inclusion and how it relates to the BSA programs. This course aims to give Scouters a solid foundation in the basics of DEI including definitions, bias, and privilege. This course is valuable for all Scouters who wish to gain a solid foundation in DEI. | Meg Hutchins |
| 6 | CED 271 – DEI in Scouting | Introduction to diversity, equity and inclusion and how it relates to the BSA programs. This course aims to give Scouters a solid foundation in the basics of DEI including definitions, bias, and privilege. This course is valuable for all Scouters who wish to gain a solid foundation in DEI. | Meg Hutchins |
| 2 and 3 | CED 277 – Unconscious Bias Training | (2 Sessions) This course helps scouters understand the complexities of unconscious biases, how to avoid and respond to microaggressions, and how upstander intervention may help prevent unwelcome behavior. We will look at how our own actions can make scouting better for the youth we serve. This is a double session. | Meg Hutchins |
| 4 | CED 278 – DEI In Adult Leadership | This course will explore ways that units can expand the diversity, equity, and inclusion of their adult leadership. Making small changes can help a unit become more welcoming to current and new adults. We will go over some strategies as well as discuss what has been successful or unsuccessful for participants. | Meg Hutchins |
| 5 | CED 279 – Respect, Communication, and Engagement: The Skills to Making DEI Work in Scouting | Sometimes the ideas of diversity, equity, and inclusion can get lost in the jumble of everything else that needs to get done in scouting. This course will focus on how engage individuals and groups in the process of becoming more welcoming, respectful, and better at cultural communication. Detecting setbacks and finding solutions that work for scouts and scouters. We will go over some strategies as well as discuss what has been successful or unsuccessful for participants. | Meg Hutchins |
| 3 | CED 301 – Get the LEAD out: Exploring the Leadership Aim of Scouting in the Outdoors | Leadership, like physical wellness, needs exercise to improve and refine your fitness. Scouting added a fourth aim to its program a few years ago, Leadership, but there are few programs that focus on this ideal alone. Refresh your personal and collaborative leadership batteries by focusing on the technical, interpersonal, and judgmental skills that hone your Scouting, personal and professional outlooks. This is a fun, exhilarating experience exposing you to new perspectives. Join us for this tailored version of a course taught at Philmont. | Bill Montgomery |
| 5 | CED 302 – Orienteering Techniques | Students will learn techniques in orienteering including map folding, how to use the compass with the map. thumbing the map, contouring, and use of handrails, backstops and aiming off. One session, but much of the class will be outdoors. | John Gillette |
| 6 | CED 303 – Advanced Map and Compass Techniques | Students will learn advanced map techniques including resection, intersection, determining slope from a topographic map and adjusting a map for magnetic declination. Students will also learn how to measure a gap using a compass and how to use a clinometer. | John Gillette |
| 1 | CED 317 – The Art of Dealing with Conflict in Scouting | Scouting is full of conversations. Most are pleasant and productive but at times, differences can arise. As commissioners, we need to be able to navigate these difficult conversations in a way that leaves everyone feeling heard, understood, and valued. | Walt Windisch |
| 1 | CED 714 (SND 120) – Special Needs Scouting: ADHD | This course will identify the characteristics of ADHD and a number of useful tips that leaders can apply. It is important for leaders to be aware of this incidence and strategies they can use that will help facilitate a successful Scouting experience for these youth (not to mention their contemporaries and the adult leadership!). | Thomas and Ellen Brendlinger |
| 4 | CED 715 (SND 130) – Special Needs Scouting, Autism | This course will show you tools and resources should be used in planning Scout meetings, preparing for attendance to large Scout events and how to provide access to programs and events for each individual Scout | Thomas and Ellen Brendlinger |
| 1 | CED 716 – Navigating Difficult Conversations | Scouting is full of conversations. Most are pleasant and productive but at times, differences can arise. As commissioners, we need to be able to navigate these difficult conversations in a way that leaves everyone feeling heard, understood and valued. Note: This Course is part of the College of Commissioner Science and can be used for the MCS and DCS degrees. | Dave Malkiewicz |
| 3 | CED 717 – Autism: Does This Scout Fit Our Unit? Do We Fit This Scout | How to do a proper intake on a person with Autism to ensure success! We will review some of the behaviors, triggers and repairs to be considered when bringing in a new scout into your unit. You will get helpful hints as well as a sample intake form to use while interviewing a scouting candidate as well as to train all your leaders to be able to work successfully with these young people! | Thomas Brendlinger |
Update Jan 29, 2024
| Session | Course Title | Course Description | Instructor |
| 2 | SND 230 (MCS 322) – AdvanCED Special Needs Scouting | Virtually every unit will experience having a youth who has special needs disAbilities). This course will provide Leaders and Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can provide a program which provides these youth with the Scouting opportunities to succeed. This course is more of a Disability Awareness for Scouters and what to look for when a Scout with special needs may look into your unit. This course is for all Scouters not just commissioners. In the National Commissioner Sciences Curriculum (Archive), this course was designated as MCS322. | Renee Seymour |
| 5 | SND 310 – Addressing Neurodiversity in Scouting: A Review of Current Thinking | A sizeable number of Scouts across the BSA programs suffer from disorders that impact their daily functioning, including executive skill deficits, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other challenges. Because every Scout leader works with these youth, neurodiversity is an increasingly important issue for packs, troops, crews, ships, and posts. This session will review insights gained from the Neurodiversity Conference given in New Jersey last fall by BSA’s National Special Needs and Disabilities Committee. Participants will learn a number of practical interventions that can help Scouts manage anxiety, frustration, attentional problems, and sensory overload. We will cover ways to reduce environmental distractions, limit overstimulation, provide role models for social learning, train youth leaders, and praise the accomplishments of Scouts who are neurodivergent. | Walt Windisch |