The Midnight Sun Council was honored to present the Medal of Merit Award to ten of the twelve individuals who earned it at our closing campfire last night. The remaining two will be presented at a future date. The awards were presented to participants and leaders of last year’s National Youth Leadership Training course (NYLT), who came across a wildfire and were able to put it out before it went too far. In a state where a fire can burn millions of acres, this was a great job well done. There were houses in the vicinity, but the nearest firehouse was at least an hour away. Using what they had, and engaging passing motorists, they were able to save the nearby houses, and prevent a catastrophe. Yes, these Scouts and Scouters set a fine example of teamwork, leadership, and what it means to be prepared. Congratulations and thanks to each one of you!

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Training

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation is a training event that introduces parents and leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping.

Ask children why they want to be a Cub Scout, and nine times out of 10 they’ll answer “to go camping.” Cub Scouting has designed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) training, so Cub Scouts, along with their parents or some other adult, can participate in a successful overnight camping experience.

In the future, leaders can organize a pack camp-out at a location approved by the local council. It is a great way for families to have fun and build confidence in outdoor skills. This kind of camping isn’t the rugged high adventure outing geared toward older Scouts. It is what you might call “soft camping”, where families can simply drive up to a campsite and pitch a tent within a few feet of their vehicle’s rear bumper. The emphasis is on family fun activities that don’t require lots of advanced outdoor skills.

How do you get started?

A member of your pack committee needs to attend BALOO training. The six-hour BALOO session will give your pack’s outdoor activity leader the tools to conduct a safe and successful overnight. The Outdoor portion will take place at a location approved by the local council.

An online course (Baloo Prerequisite Training) is also available through My.Scouting.org.

You can take the BALOO training online to replace the in person training sessions. You do NOT have to do the in person AND the online training. Its one or the other.

Completion BALOO classroom training or online training and outdoor portion will qualify Scouters to be certified to take their scout units family camping.

With proper planning and your BALOO-trained leader, your pack should be set for a fun and exciting weekend event.

UPCOMING BALOO Training Opportunities:

Save the Date for BALOO training!

click here to view/download flyer

  Who: All Cub Scout adult leaders, interested parents, Committee Chairs, and Committee Members who would like camping as part of their pack program.

What: Cub Scout Outdoor Leadership Training

Where: Lost Lake Scout Camp

Why: To take your Cub Scouts Camping!

When: April 4,5 2025

start at 6pm on April 4th and end by noon on April 5th.

Cost: ($ TBA) per participant for food and supplies

Register and pay at:

Midnight Sun Council office

907-452-1976

or click on the link below to register online

https://scoutingevent.com/696-95816

 

PREREQUISITE: BALOO Prerequisite Training V2 (35 minutes) on my.scouting.org

All participants will need to go online to My.Scouting.org to complete the pre-requisite BALOO training.

Sign in or create an account and remember passwords for this site.  All currently registered members can call the Council office at 907-452-1976 for a member I.D. number and directions to My.Scouting.org. If you do not have an account, you can create one. BALOO candidates will need to complete BALOO pre-requisite training before attending the “Outdoor Experience”.

click here to view/download 2025 Spring BALOO – Save the Date flyer

 

 

 

 

Super Saturday

Boy Scout Leader Training

 

This Event has been cancelled! Sorry for any inconvenience!!!

 

Training Awards

These are some of the training awards that Leaders can earn. There is a pdf version available to print for Pack and Troop meetings. There is more information available on awards for both Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leaders at www.scouting.org.

Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!

When leaders are trained, the quality of the program for our youth goes up, our program gets safer, and, as a result, more youth and parents are willing to make Scouting a part of their lives.

How Can I Get Trained?

Training is offered year round. If your unit can provide a minimum of five adult leaders for a training course the district will come to YOUR unit and conduct training. To explore this, contact the Service Center.

Click Here to find out what training courses you need to take to become a Trained Leader.

There are also several training awards available to Scout Leaders, for a complete list with requirements, Click Here.

See our MSC Calender for updated dates and  times of  upcoming Training Events.

Training Policy

The primary responsibility of the Midnight Sun Council is to ensure the delivery of a safe quality Scouting program to the youth who reside within the Council’s boundaries. It is the goal of the Council Training Policy that every unit will have trained direct contact leaders because every youth deserves a trained leader.

The policy is as follows:

It shall be the policy of the Midnight Sun Council that 100% of Assistant Cubmasters, Cubmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Scoutmasters, Assistant Varsity Team Coaches, Varsity Team Coaches, Associate Crew Advisors, and Crew Advisors will be fully trained for their positions in their respective units.
It shall be the policy of the Midnight Sun Council that 75% of Tiger Cub Den Leaders, Cub Scout Den Leaders, and Webelos Den Leaders will be fully trained for their positions in their respective units.

What Other Training is There?

The BSA offers most of its training online. Training may be accessed by logging into MyScouting at www.myscouting.org.

This includes but is not limited to:

Youth Protection: a basic training course on the guidelines of two deep leadership that keeps our youth safe. Youth Protection expires after two years!

Hazard Weather Training: required for ANY tour permit.

This is Scouting: the first step to becoming a trained leader.

Safe Swim Defense/ Safety Afloat: Critical training to understanding the BSA water safety programs.

There is also training for almost every position in Scouting from the District Committee to Fast Start courses for unit leaders. This training is invaluable to any new leader and is a necessary link to operating a safe Scouting unit.

Aquatics Supervision Training:

Any Unit that wishes to conduct any aquatic activity, whether it is swimming or boating, has to have at least one member of the unit actually present and participating in the activity, that has completed the appropriate skills course in order for the activity to occur. The only exception is if the swimming activity is held at a location where a professional lifeguard is provided by the venue. That means, if you are doing a canoe trip for a day or a week, at least one member participating needs to have the Paddle Craft Safety Course. The same thing applies if you are swimming where there is not a professional lifeguard you will need the Water Rescue Course.