Western District BALOO Cub Leader Training
BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) is a comprehensive training program designed by Scouting America to equip adult leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead Cub Scout Packs in safe and successful outdoor adventures. This course covers essential topics such as camping techniques, safety protocols, outdoor ethics, program planning, and risk management. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on practical activities, participants learn how to create engaging and age-appropriate outdoor experiences for Cub Scouts while emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship and fostering a love for the outdoors. Upon completion of the BALOO course, adult leaders are better prepared to facilitate enjoyable and memorable outdoor adventures for young Cub Scouts while ensuring their safety and well-being.
Time: October 3 8:00 AM – October 4 10:00 AM
Adult Cost: $40
Contact:
Shannon Smith, [email protected]
Western District Den Chief Training
The Western District is offering training for Scouts BSA youth looking to be of assistance to younger Cub Scouts as a Den Chief. This training is designed to help Den Chiefs understand their role, the Cub Scouts they work with, the Den Meeting, and how to lead activities. The course fee provides for a Den Chief guide, a Den Chief position patch, and a “Trained” patch showing completion of the training. Den Chief is a leadership position that qualifies for rank advancement in Scouts BSA.
Time: October 3 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Scout Cost: $10
Contact:
Shannon Smith, [email protected]
Course Director Conferences for Wood Badge and National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) will take place on Saturday, November 14th at Camp Workcoeman. These courses are open to those who are or will be actively involved with NYLT or Wood Badge in their local council and provide them with the training necessary to understand the syllabus and deliver a successful course. Completing this Course Director Conference is required of all course directors and assistant course directors and will provide a forum to collaborate, share best practices, and solve problems.
Registration for either the Wood Badge or NYLT sections is done through the BSA National Registration page available via the link below.
Connecticut Rivers Council is also making overnight accommodations available to all participants. Staying overnight is available for Friday night, Saturday night, or both. It costs $15 per night, with breakfast on Saturday included with a Friday night reservation and Saturday dinner included with a Saturday night reservation. Overnight accommodations will be in heated cabins, with male and female participants staying separately. Arrival on Friday starts at 6:00 PM.
Contact Council President Bill Shea with questions pertaining to the training portion of the event and Camp Workcoeman Director Jeff Seiser with questions pertaining to overnight accommodations, food, or facilities.
Cost:
$65 (Course participant, via scouting.org registration)
$35 (Course staff, via scouting.org registration)
$15/night (Overnight accommodations [optional], via scoutingevent.com registration)
Contact:
Bill Shea, [email protected]
Jeff Seiser, [email protected]
Note: This event has been rescheduled from October 24 to November 21, 2026.
The RSO course content consists of RSO’s roles and responsibilities, range standard operating procedures, range inspection, and range rules. Those with this certification may serve as a safety officer (an instructor is also required) for council, camp, and unit events.
Required Pre-training: None
Time: November 21, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $75
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
Camp Workcoeman is located in the hills of northwest Connecticut in scenic New Hartford and Barkhamsted. The camp consists of approximately 427 acres on the shore of beautiful West Hill Pond, possibly the cleanest in Connecticut.
Established in 1924, it is one of the oldest continuously operated Scout camps in the country. For 102 years, thousands of Scouts and Scouters have had unforgettable Scouting experiences at Camp Workcoeman. This fine tradition of Scouting continues today.