The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Golden Gate Area Council (GGAC) emphasize youth safety for all of our programs. To support a safe environment, is it critical that all registered volunteers be compliant with required Youth Protection Training (YPT) from the BSA and California Law AB-506, which adds requirements for volunteers in all youth serving organizations. Parents are highly encouraged to complete YPT.

You are YPT Compliant if YOU:

Are a registered adult volunteer in the BSA

• Have completed Scouting America YPT
  Have current YPT for your entire registration period

Note: You may need to update your YPT once a year, unless you take it on the date of your annual registration anniversary.

You are AB-506 Compliant if YOU:

Complete Mandated Reporter Training

1. Ensure you have completed or are accessing the latest version of the Mandated Reporter Training (January 2023 or later).
2. Follow the instructions to complete the training. This is a “one and done” training, meaning it does not expire.
3. Your Certificate will be automatically filed by the training vendor. You do not need to upload or send it to Council.
4. Fee Issue: If prompted to pay $7.99, you have accessed the wrong site. Click the help button and indicate you are with the Golden Gate Area Council to resolve the issue.

Complete LiveScan Fingerprinting

1. Find a LiveScan fingerprinting service provider. Here is the prepopulated form for GGAC.
2. Use legal name. Ensure the name you provide matches exactly with your official government document (e.g., driver’s license).
3. Complete the fingerprinting process. The results will be sent to the council’s AB-506 administrator. This is also a “one and done” process.
4. If your BSA registration uses a different name (e.g., a nickname), inform your unit or district leadership to ensure a proper match.

Adult Trainings

Common sense tells us that training is important, and research shows the importance of trained leaders. A trained leader is knowledgeable and more confident in the role being performed. Trained leaders exhibit a knowledge and confidence that is picked up by people around them. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, safety, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be!

To see a guide of the various training segments needed for specific positions, see the Venturing Position Trained Requirements.

Youth Protection Training

Scouting America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within Scouting America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, regional, area, council, district, and unit levels. The training is accessed on my.scouting.org.

Venturing Advisor Position-Specific Training

The course will provide an introduction to the responsibilities, opportunities, and resources that will ensure a successful Venturing crew leadership experience. Linked is the instructor’s guide for the Venturing crew Advisor and assistant training. You may also take the course online by visiting my.scouting.org.

Crew Committee Position-Specific Training

successful Venturing crew leadership experience. Linked is the instructor’s guide for the Venturing crew Advisor and assistant training. You may also take the course online by visiting my.scouting.org.

Philmont Training Center

The Philmont Training Center (PTC) is the national volunteer training center for Scouting America. Since 1950, PTC has provided a unique environment for training volunteer and professional leaders, and a fun family program for every member of the family. Each conference features the latest tools and techniques, audiovisuals, discussions, idea sharing, and activities led by a faculty of experienced Scouters. All registered Scouters are invited to attend training center courses; council approval is no longer required. LEARN MORE

Welcome Aboard!

This page was designed with you, a new ship leader, in mind. You will find all the resources needed to jump start your journey as a volunteer.

Youth Protection Training
New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training within 30 days of registering and before volunteer service with youth begins. You can take this training at my.scouting.org.

Fast Start Training

New Unit (Ship) Organization Kit

Sea Scout Manual

YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING

All registered adults are required to complete Youth Protection Training every two years.

Click here to log in and get started.

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.

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.

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!

One of the purposes of Wood Badge training is to get Scouters to think about the practice of Scouting, to meet together, to exchange experiences, and to live together in the spirit of the Scout Oath.” Robert Baden-Powell, 1919

Wood Badge Courses are conducted on two separate weekends

Fall 2025 Course

Camp Herms
Friday 09-12-2025 7 AM to Sunday 09-14-2025 5 PM AND

Camp Royaneh
Saturday 10-11-2025 7 AM to Sunday 10-12-2025 5 PM

Questions? Email Course Director: Amy Cole
Earlybird cost: $425 | Standard cost: $450

REGISTER

What is Wood Badge?

Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Scouters from Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and district and council Scouters all are welcome and belong here.

Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience, Wood Badge draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles and successful organizations throughout the country.

Wood Badge training was begun by Baden Powell in 1919 as a way to insure that the leaders of Scout troops were properly trained. Since then, Wood Badge has been held worldwide, providing advanced leadership training to thousands of Scout leaders.

Wood Badge builds upon the best traditions and experiences of the Boy Scouts of America and also draws from a wide range of courses within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development.

Who should attend?

Wood Badge is designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of all Scouters, particularly unit level Scouters, such as Cub leaders, Scoutmasters and assistants, Venturing Crew Advisors, Committee Chairs and members. Additionally, Scouters serving at the district and council levels can achieve greater effectiveness through Wood Badge.

To attend a Wood Badge course, individuals must:

• Be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. (Youth 18 and older may attend as long as the appropriate Youth Protection guidelines are followed. They do not need to be registered in an adult leadership role.)
• Have completed the basic training courses for their Scouting position.
• Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record form.

Why do you want to go?

You want to participate in a Wood Badge course because of things you will learn and do. Here are some of the benefits:

• Stronger units. You will make your Scouting unit — and your sons’ and daughters’ units — stronger.
• What and why of Scouting. You will have a deeper understanding of what Scouting is and why we do it.
• Experience. You will learn and experience things that will stay with you in Scouting and the rest of your life.
• Fun. You will have fun and you will meet interesting people.
• Other groups. You will make your other groups, like work, church, even family, stronger.

Here’s another summary of why to go. This was originally aimed particularly at Scouters in the Cub Scout program, but it applies equally to all of us.

By taking Wood Badge, Scouters will acquire valuable tools such as listening, communicating, conflict management, project planning and leading change. Participants will better learn to understand and appreciate diversity and differences in our society. They will learn skills that will make them a better Scout leader. Units with trained leaders are able to deliver an improved program and a more meaningful experience for the youth Scouting serves.

By attending Wood Badge, the participants will internalize the 5 themes of Wood Badge:

• Living the Values,
• Growing,
• Connecting,
• Guiding,
• Empowering.

These come to you in presentations, games, discussions, activities, and other methods.

Cub Scout Leaders

How would you like to attend a training that takes you far beyond your Basic Leader Training? Would you like to build your skills in communication, conflict management and teaching methods? How about a leadership course that rivals many corporate level training?

Wood Badge is here for you. This is not just for Troop leader training. It is designed for all Unit leaders – Cubs, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Venturing, and Exploring leaders. This course will help you better understand how all the Scouting programs tie together. It will provide you with many useful leadership tools to help enable our youth to have the best possible Scouting experience. There is no better time to attend a Wood Badge course and make a difference in your unit than NOW.

Tickets

Have you heard of “The Ticket” and wondered what it is? The ticket is a group of five goals you set for yourself to do after course, to improve your unit specifically and Scouting in general. You learn more about this on the course.

The Powder Horn course is designed to introduce and expose Venturing and Scouts BSA adult leaders and Venturing participants (14-20) and Scouts BSA high adventure youths (14-17) to the activities and resources necessary to operate a successful outdoor/high adventure unit-level program. It is based on the 8 core and 18 electives found in the Venturing Ranger program.

Purpose

The course is designed to help unit-level adult leaders and high adventure youth leaders to:

1. Find the resources necessary for a high adventure program.

2. Understand the safety and practical requirements for different high adventure disciplines.

3. Get hands on experience with high adventure activities.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn what resources are available to support a high adventure program.

2. Learn where to find the resources.

3. Learn how to use the resources.

4. Learn how to safely do a high adventure program.

5. Learn what is involved with different high adventure disciplines.

Requirements

1. Be a registered BSA adult or if a youth participant, must be registered in a Venturing or a Scouts BSA unit. Note:  youth registered with only Scouts BSA units are not allowed to participate in hand guns or shooting rifles over .22 caliber. To shoot hand guns and high powered rifles, youth must be registered with a venturing crew.

2. Adults must be trained for their registered position.  Youth participants must have completed ILST, ILSC, or NYLT or equivalent training. All participants 18 and over must have a background consent form and be current with YPT at the time of the course. 

3. Submit completed and current BSA medical forms A, B & C Since this is a High Adventure course, you must meet the height/ weight restrictions under C form.

4. Adults must take appropriate on-line training for activities including Hazardous Weather, Climb On Safely, Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense, valid at the time of the course.

Powder Horn Activities

The course will feature a variety of high adventure hands-on activities including climbing, wilderness survival, geocaching, orienteering, archery, pistol, high power rifle, fly fishing, sailing, equestrian, stand up paddling, kayaking, but wait, there’ll be much more.

Powder Horn Venue

Powder Horn will be at Wente Scout Reservation, located about 6 miles east of Willits, CA.  Wente has, real rock to climb, 20+ miles of single track, mountain biking trails, two mountain bike pump courses, an 80-acre warm water lake with a variety of boating activities and fishing. Wente also features a 16 position rifle range, archery and shot gun ranges. 

Have questions?  Contact Bobby Toda at [email protected], subject: Powder Horn 2021 or Joe Barton Staff Professional Advisor at [email protected]  

Winter Camp Awareness (WCA) is a fantastic and informational training session offered on the USS Hornet in Alameda. It is hosted and taught by members of the Order of the Arrow (OA). The aim of this event is to teach how to camp safely in cold and frigid conditions while having the most fun. 

Scouts will be taught how to Sleep Warm, choose the proper Tent and Terrain, operate Stoves and Fuel, select Winter Foods, perform Winter First Aid, and choose proper Winter Clothing. This training is essential and will help prepare Scouts for any winter-oriented events, whether it be the upcoming Klondike Derby, your own unit-led events, or any winter events! 

Winter Camp Awareness' historic venue, the USS Hornet aircraft carrier, is a fascinating preservation of the nation's history. It is a place where Scouts can go back in time and walk in the footsteps of their country's servicemen and women. After the event, you will have the opportunity to tour the USS Hornet at your own pace.

Check-in will begin at 8:00 AM, January 11 2025. The program starts at 9:00 AM and is expected to finish at approximately 4:00 PM. At around 12:00 PM there will be a 40-minute lunch period. Please wear closed toed shoes and warm clothing, and bring a water bottle. We provide an option to purchase lunch that will include a hot dog, chips, fruit, and water and a vegetarian option will be available.

Please note the following:

1. This event is not intented for Cub Scouts.
2. Registration is by UNIT only. You will stay with your registered unit throughout the day. Simply indicate the number of youth and adult attendees from your unit. 
3. Do not include any unit members who are serving on staff for the event; they will receive separate instructions to register. 
4. This event is intended for Scouting America Scouts and leaders only.
5. We encourage you to register early, as space is limited. You may register additional attendees as needed until registration closes.
6. Each unit must have a minimum of 2 adults in attendance with their unit throughout the event (YPT requirement).
7. If your unit decides to register for the event, we’ll keep you posted and more information will be provided via email at a later date.
8. OA members staffing the event, please do NOT register here. You will receive separate instructions to register.