Required first course for anyone wishing to become an NRA Certified Rifle Instructor. This course covers basic safety and rifle shooting skills.
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $65
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
Western District Scoutmaster Specific Training
Scoutmasters & Assistant Scoutmasters must complete Scoutmaster Specific Training and Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills in order to be considered “TRAINED” for their role in the Troop.
Scoutmaster Specific training is Scouting America’s initial level of training for the top leaders of Scout troops. It is designed for Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Junior Assistant Scoutmasters. However, committee members and other adults connected to a Scout Troop are welcome to attend.
This required course introduce new adult leaders to Troop organization, planning, meeting execution, and more.
Time: March 7, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $25 per Adult
Contact: Shannon Smith, [email protected]
Register for Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training Register for Both Scoutmaster Specific and IOLS Training Weekends
Western District Troop Committee Challenge Training
The Troop Committee Challenge training has been developed to help Troop Committee members better understand their roles and responsibilities and help them deliver the promise of Scouting.
Time: March 7, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $25 per Adult
Contact: Shannon Smith, [email protected]
Required first course for anyone wishing to become an NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor. This course covers basic safety and shotgun shooting skills.
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $65
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
Required first course for anyone wishing to become an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor. This course covers basic safety and pistol shooting skills.
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $65
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
Western District Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) Training
Scoutmasters & Assistant Scoutmasters must complete Scoutmaster Specific Training and Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills in order to be considered “TRAINED” for their role in the Troop.
Welcome to Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training. The Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) course builds and expands on the concepts and themes introduced in Scoutmaster position-specific training and provides Scouters with the confidence to take youth into the outdoors. Specifically, this hands-on program gives adult leaders a practical introduction to the patrol method of a Scout-led troop by teaching many of the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors. In addition, the teaching methods, activities, and games model the variety of teaching used in effective and engaging Scouting programs.
Time: April 17, 5:30 PM – April 19, 12:00 noon
Cost: $50 per Adult
Contact: Shannon Smith, [email protected]
Register for Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) Training Register for Both Scoutmaster Specific and IOLS Training Weekends
Charter Oak 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: April 25 8:00 AM – April 26 11:00 AM
Adult Cost: $35
Contact: RickiAnn Levesque, [email protected]
Training to develop the knowledge, skills, and techniques needed to organize courses, teach courses, and serve as a range instructor in the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program. This is the second of three training courses required for someone to become a range instructor for Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol, or Muzzleloading.
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Cost: $25
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
Wood Badge is advanced Scout leader training that began in 1919 by Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting and Wood Badge’s first director. It came to America in 1948 and has been updated to reflect current Scouting America policies and programs. Incorporating the best techniques available, Wood Badge has become the most advanced leadership training course in Scouting!
Wood Badge is the highest level of Scout leadership training and provides you with the tools to be a superior leader. The leadership skills taught are for leaders from all Scouting areas including Cub Scouting, Scouts BSAing, Venturing, and the District and Council. The first half of the course utilizes a classroom environment and practical exercises to teach the essentials of leadership. You’ll learn what makes leadership work for you in Scouting and your personal life. The second half offers classroom and outdoor experiences to help you learn the application of leadership skills. Finally, you will write and complete a “Ticket.” The “Ticket” consists of five written goals. These goals connect your new leadership knowledge to your role in Scouting.
Any Scouter who has attended basic training for their registered position and serves in a leadership role in Scouting or in a position that directly supports a unit can attend.
Both weekends must be attended.
Cost:
Early Bird $330 (until January 31, 2026)
Regular $385
Staff: $210
Contact:
Bill Esler, [email protected]
This course provides advanced training to prepare participants to coordinate a shooting range. The itinerary includes an emphasis on safety, range leadership, and shooting instruction. Those with this certification can serve as a Rifle instructor for council, camp, and unit events.
Pre-Training Required: Basic Instructor Training & NRA Basic Rifle Training
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $85
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
This course provides advanced training to prepare participants to coordinate a shooting range. The itinerary includes an emphasis on safety, range leadership, and shooting instruction. Those with this certification can serve as a shotgun instructor for council, camp, and unit events.
Pre-Training Required: Basic Instructor Training & NRA Basic Shotgun Training
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $85
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
Wilderness first aid is a training course that focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available.
WFA prepares participants to identify and address medical issues that can arise in the backcountry. Treatment skills are taught as well as educating adults to recognize illnesses early and minimize the potential for injury. The skills learned in this WFA course can save lives.
WFA is not just for the backcountry. It is just as relevant in urban areas during hurricanes, floods, fires, or mass casualty events when emergency services might be strained. WFA knowledge can be lifesaving.
Prerequisite: There is an online portion that must be completed prior to arrival. Participants can complete this in phases as they have time; online training information will be emailed well in advance and will take approximately eight hours to complete.
The list of WFA training options available on this weekend will consist of:
Participants are required to stay at camp for the duration of the course. Meals provided include a Friday evening cracker barrel as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Arrival is 6:00 PM on Friday, and departure is 6:00 PM on Saturday.
Contact:
Karen Dietz, [email protected]
Jeffrey Seiser, [email protected]
This course provides advanced training to prepare participants to coordinate a shooting range. The itinerary includes an emphasis on safety, range leadership, and shooting instruction. Those with this certification can serve as a pistol instructor for council, camp, and unit events.
Pre-Training Required: Basic Instructor Training & NRA Basic Pistol Training
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $85
Contact: Joe Iannello, [email protected]
See the NYLT page for more information.
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is the Scouting America’s premier youth leadership development program at the Council level. It’s an exciting 7-day program designed for youth to learn leadership skills that will help them succeed in Scouting and in life.
Time: 12:00 noon, Sunday, July 12 – 7:00 PM, Saturday, July 18
Cost: $450 per Scout
Contact: Matt Kuhr, [email protected]
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: December 5, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (subject to change)
Cost: $65 (subject to change)
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.