Scoutmaster Position Specific Training (SMPST, S24)
Mission Peak Acorn, Part 1

Don’t let the name of the course scare you.  SMPST is NOT just for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters.  This course will benefit every parent with youth in the Scouts BSA Program.   In this one-day course we will give you understanding and tools to help your troop and your scout thrive.

Key Topics Covered Include

• The Aims and Methods of Scouting
• The Patrol Method
• Advancement
• Troop Organization
• The Patrol Leader’s Council
• Outdoor Activity Planning
• Annual Program Planning

Who Should Take This Course:?

• Scoutmasters (Req)
• Assistant Scoutmasters (Req)
• Committee Chairs
• Committee Members
• Any parent that wants the tools to help their youth succeed in the Scouts BSA program.

The course is taught by experienced scouters who will share perspectives and insights gained from years of guiding youth as well as current leaders.

SMPST is one of three courses required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to be fully “Trained” according to national council.   The other two courses areL  Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS, S11) and Hazardous Weather (SCO_800)  Hazardous weather must be retaken every two years for a direct contact leader to maintain trained status.

• Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS, S11)  Classroom + campout  (Available here)
• Hazard Weather available online at my.scouting.org.

OK , so what is this ACORN thing.

Simply put, Acorn is part of the history, tradition, and culture of Mission Peak District. 

For the past several decades volunteers of Mission Peak District have presented a Scoutmaster Position Specific Training and Introduction to Online Leadership Skills as a package that we call Acorn. This program trained most of the leaders in Mission Peak District.  Graduates of Acorn can be identified by the ultra snazzy yellow neckerchief and acorn slide.  Most slides have the year of participation,    In order to earn one of these highly coveted neckerchiefs and slides students must attend both SMPST and IOLS in person through Mission Peak District.

I took SMPST online (or at summer camp, or with another district) can I just take IOLS ? (or the other way around, I took IOLS at summer camp, can I just take SMPST?

Absolutely.  You can register for either or both classes.  Neither one is a prerequisite for the other.   You just won’t get that neckerchief and slide.

My schedule only allows me to take SMPST this year.  If I take IOLS next year, can I still get the neckerchief and slide?

YES!  Take one this year and one next year.  As long as both are from MPD, you get the neckerchief and slide

But I really want that neckerchief and slide.  Is there another way I can earn them?

YES!!!   Join us on staff!   Being a troop guide is an awesome experience and everyone who serves on staff gets a neckerchief and slide. Most everyone who serves as a troop guide tell us that they get more as a troop guide than they did as a participant.  For questions about joining Acorn staff, contact course director Katherine Brovont.