L.E.A.D.
Leader Education And Discovery
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA
We'll be adding to this website over the next several weeks so do keep checking.
Meanwhile, If you have questions, email Vicente Correa, L.E.A.D. 2026 Director
Countdown to Registration opening . . .
Leader Education And Discovery
What is L.E.A.D?
Leader Education and Discovery (L.E.A.D.) is the ultimate one-day training conference for Scout Leaders, Parents, Volunteers, and Older Youth. It combines University of Scouting and Pow Wow into one epic training event. Join us for an action-packed day of learning, fun, and connecting with fellow Scouters!
What Will I Learn?
L.E.A.D. offers over 150 classes across six colleges. Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Young Adult Programs, Outdoor Education, Continuing Education, and Technology.
Who is L.E.A.D. for?
Adults
L.E.A.D. is the premier training event offered by the Golden Gate Area Council and is intended for Adult Leaders. L.E.A.D. is for Scouters who would like to learn new skills, how to work with youth more effectively, and increase the FUN in Scouting.
Youth
Youth may attend BUT must be at least 13 years old and must register for at least one of the CORE courses/programs along with the other conditions listed in the ‘Youth Attendees’ section below.
Essential Training
Course Information
♦ The day is divided into six sessions in total. Some classes are a single session, while others (such as CPR certification or position-specific leader training) may span multiple sessions. Be sure to view the class schedule for course information and length.
♦ With extended Midway hours and a walk-up Help Desk, attendees may wish to keep one or more sessions ‘open’ to take advantage of these features.
♦ Also, check out the course schedule matrix for courses geared specifically to Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Committee Members, Scoutmasters, ASMs, Diversity/Equality/Inclusion, Outdoor Ethics, Emergency Preparedness, and Youth Members!
GGAC L.E.A.D. Degree program Guidelines
The L.E.A.D. Degree Program provides an informal program of advancement in an atmosphere of fellowship and fun. The intent is for you to be able to track the progress of your supplemental training and to reward yourselves for your accomplishments. The incentive is not only for you to carry on with your training, but to inspire you to return each year and share the wealth of your experience with all of us, as you continue your own Scouting Trail. You need not complete a degree to participate fully in the L.E.A.D., but if you are interested, here are some important guidelines.
1. The L.E.A.D. Degree Program is open to all registered Scouts and Scouters, ages 14 and older, who have completed the basic training for their position. Valid Youth Protection Training certification for the appropriate program and age level is required for all degrees.
2. Those who intend to pursue a degree must fill out their Degree Program Applications and submit them to the L.E.A.D. Registration Desk by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event, in order to receive their certificates and appropriate patches at the closing ceremony.
3. Late applications will be processed as time and materials permit, but they may be lost if not submitted promptly.
4. University transcripts are not maintained by the GGAC event volunteers. It is up to all students to track their own participation in L.E.A.D., and the event staff cannot promise to help recreate lost records should that distributed paperwork be misplaced.
5. Each Degree builds on that which came before, so the Masters, for example, requires completion of the Bachelor degree in order to apply. GGAC L.E.A.D. staff makes no commitment to accept degrees from other councils as prerequisites to any degree in this program.
6. Courses taken from the legacy SFBAC University of Scouting will count for courses completed.
7. The only degrees open to youth under the age of 18 are Associate and Bachelor; the Doctorate is available only to Adult Scouters 21 and over.
8. Finally, if this is not fun, then you are not doing it correctly: Stop doing this immediately, if it is not fun!
If you would like a rocker patch for the degree(s) you earned, they will be available for purchase for $1 per patch, cash only.