Mayflower District 
Adult Leader Training

WHAT:  BALOO & IOLS Training Weekend
WHEN:  11-12 May 2024
WHERE:  West End Activity Centre, West End Road, Borehamwood, WD6 5PR

Registration closes 6 May 2024.

Welcome to Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) and Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) training.

Check-in for the course will be from 8:30 am to 9:00 am on Saturday the 11th, with the program beginning at 9:00 am. The course should be finished by 11:00 am on Sunday.

Please register no later than 6 May.  This is required so that adequate materials and food are available for everyone.  The participation fee for each of the courses is $40, which includes food from Saturday lunch to Sunday breakfast. If anyone has special dietary needs for medical or religious purposes, please let us know and we will accommodate you as best we can.

You may register for either BALOO or IOLS, not both. These adult leader courses are being offered at the same time and same location yet independent from one another (but we'll have a joint campfire program as a part of the syllabus for both courses).

Important Note:  Although co-located with the Namassakett Spring Fellowship, BALOO and IOLS students are attending a separate event and CANNOT also attend the Fellowship.  Scouters should plan accordingly.

BALOO Information

The BSA requires that you have at least one BALOO-trained adult on every Cub Scout den or pack overnight outdoor event. That includes 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. This training consists of an online prerequisite component to be found in your my.scouting.org account by searching for the “BALOO Prerequisite Training v2” learning plan (~35 min).  This in-person overnight camping experience provides the hands-on practical skills. Participants in this training will receive credit for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (C32).

Leaders who complete BALOO training are better prepared to plan 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 Information

IOLS is required training for Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Crew Advisers, and Associate Crew Advisors. It is recommended for Troop and Crew Committee Members, Charter Org. Reps., Webelos Leaders, Cubmasters / Assistant Cubmasters and Pack Committee Members interested in learning basic outdoor camping skills for the Scouts BSA Program.

Participants will receive credit for completion of Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (S11). Leaders who have also competed the online Position Specific Training or have taken Scoutmaster Specific Training (S24) will then be considered fully trained.

Key Information For All

Participants are required to stay overnight as a part of this weekend.

Meals include Snacks, Saturday Lunch & Dinner, and Sunday Breakfast.

What to bring: Suggested packing lists are included in the attachments for the event. In general, all attendees will need to bring their completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A, B1 and B2), BSA Field Uniform and your own personal camping gear to include tent, sleeping bag, toiletries and a mess kit.  Please keep an eye on the conditions and bring clothes appropriate for the forecast/expected weather.  It's England in May. It could be sunny, or snowing or anything in between. Be prepared!

Please plan to arrive by 8:30 am on Saturday.   The planned syllabus has us busy until 11:00 am on Sunday. The syllabus may flex on the order of topics to get the best support from our instructor corps.

Contact the Course Director J-P Frossard with any questions. (Tel. +44 (0)7950-719540).