Merit Badge Counselor training is being offered on January 19. According to the Council’s website, “Merit Badge Counselor Orientation gives counselors the confidence and consistency needed to counsel Boy Scouts in Merit Badges. This course is required for every Merit Badge Counselor.”

There is no further information on the Council website, so if you are interested in attending, please contact the Des Plaines Valley Council at 708-354-1111. The class will also be offered on March 13 and May 18. It only lasts about 90 minutes. If you’re looking for a way to be involved with the Troop without committing to attending every Troop meeting, this is a great opportunity. If you’re already acting as a Merit Badge Counselor without having the training, this is your opportunity.

For any parent who would be interested in being a Merit Badge Counselor, the next training session through the Des Plaines Valley Council will be on January 19, 2010. Being a Merit Badge Counselor is a good opportunity to help the boys in the Troop in a specific subject area, without committing yourself to attending every Troop meeting. To sign up, contact the Council at dpvc147@scouting.org or (708) 354-1111.

All of our leaders should have completed Youth Protection Training before attending Camp Mach. It’s likely you have already done so, but new BSA guidelines require the training to be repeated every 2 years. To take the course or to see the status of your training certificates, visit http://olc.scouting.org/ The online class takes only about 20-30 minutes to complete. If you do not complete the class online (recommended), you will have an opportunity to take the class at camp.

If you were planning to sign up for the Merit Badge Academy on March 15, save yourself a trip to LaGrange. The Council reports that all classes are full.

The DesPlaines Valley Council has the following training sessions scheduled for February and March. Please consider registering for one of these classes. Sixteen Webelos scouts will be joining Troop 24 in the next month, and additional leaders will be needed to continue to offer a quality program. Being trained does not mean you must come to every troop meeting or every outing, but having additional trained leaders will give the troop more flexibility. Visit the DesPlaines Valley Council website for more information.

February 20 – New Leader Essentials is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. Following Fast Start Training, this is the first segment of Basic Leader Training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing Leaders. (This is not required for former Cub Scout leaders who have already completed the course).

February 24 – Merit Badge Counselor Orientation gives counselors the confidence and consistency needed to counsel Boy Scouts in Merit Badges. This course is required for every Merit Badge Counselor.

March 4, 6, 10 – Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training is required for all Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, and transitioning Webelos leaders. This session concentrates on Troop operation. All three sessions are required.

Des Plaines Valley Council has the following Boy Scout Training opportunities available in January. For the full training calendar, visit the DPVC website.

New Leader Essentials – January 12, 10:00-12:00, Willard School, 1250 Ashland Avenue, Forest Park. New Leader Essentials is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. Following Fast Start Training (which is an online class), this is the first segment of Basic Leader Training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing Leaders. Online Registration Form

Scoutmaster/Asst. Scoutmaster – January 22, 24, 29 for all Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, and transitioning Webelos leaders. This session concentrates on Troop operation. All three sessions are required.

Troop Committee Training – January 29 – The Troop Committee Training builds working committees that provide better service to units. This training will help committee members understand the importance of their role in the committee. Committee members take New Leader Essentials, then Troop Committee Training. (Troop Committee training is also available as an online class. If you have taken New Leader Essentials as a Cub Scout Leader you don’t need to take it again.)

Outdoor Leader Skills – April 11-13 – You may want to mark your calendar for this class, which is offered only twice each year, and is recommended for everyone working with the Scouts out of doors or camping. This weekend event is offered at Camp Tomo-Chi-Chi Knolls. You must attend the entire weekend.