BALOO stands for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation. It’s the introductory training Cub Scout leaders should complete before taking Cub Scouts on an overnight camping trip.

Who should take BALOO?

The BSA requires that you have at least one BALOO-trained adult on every Cub Scout den or pack overnight outdoor event. That include pack camping and Webelos den overnighters.

A BALOO-trained leader should be at any overnighter regardless of whether it is a pack, district or council event.

Having at least one BALOO-trained adult will make your Cub Scouts’ camping experience as awesome as it can be.

Why should I take BALOO?

Leaders who complete BALOO training are better prepared to plan pack den or pack overnight events.

You’ll learn how to make camping activities and outings fun. You’ll discover how to keep your Cub Scouts safe and entertained. And you’ll learn how to plan an event that’s rooted firmly in Cub Scouting’s principles.

Successful experiences in the outdoors make Cub Scouts — and their parents — more likely to keep coming back.

IOLS

Welcome to Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training. The Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) course builds and expands on the concepts and themes introduced in Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training and provides Scouters with the confidence to take youth into the outdoors. Specifically, this hands-on program gives adult leaders a practical introduction to the patrol method of a Scout-led troop by teaching many of the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the outof-doors. In addition, the teaching methods, activities, and games model the variety of teaching used in effective and engaging Scouting programs. The skills sessions presented in Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills closely follow the Scouts BSA Handbook for Boys and Scouts BSA Handbook for Girls and are meant to serve as an adult training outline. By using these skills sessions in conjunction with the Scouts BSA handbooks, trainers can be sure new leaders are proficient in many of the basic outdoor skills through First Class rank, and gain exposure to the patrol method and numerous teaching methods and learning games. Each skills session references specific chapters in the handbooks and highlights the 2018 advancement requirements. Hands-on participation is the best learning tool, and this course models the techniques used by effective Scoutmasters, advisors, and other leaders in the Scouting program. Attendees will see and experience different aspects of how Scouting works while playing the role of Scouts in a troop. Participants should leave the training experience with a full understanding of how the patrol method  operates, a feeling of comfort in working with and instructing their Scouts, and an increased level of  confidence taking Scouts outdoors safely. With that comes great satisfaction.

The registration fee includes Saturday Lunch, Dinner, Cracker Barrel, and Sunday Breakfast.  This training does require overnight camping in a tent. Please let us know if you have any questions.