The BSA offers several specialized courses for adult leaders. Some are for advanced outdoor skills, like Wilderness First Aid and OKPIK (cold weather camping) that you may need to lead your unit on a high adventure trip. Other courses like Wood Badge and those offered through the National High Adventure Bases offer adults in-depth leadership training. For questions on any of these courses, please contact our Training Committee.
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JUMP TO... OKPIK | Wilderness First Aid | Wood Badge | Outdoor Ethics & Leave No Trace | National Training Opportunities
OKPIK (Inuit for snowy owl) was developed at the BSA's Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Ely, Minnesota. This program develops survival and preparedness skills for camping and trekking in low temperatures. The course covers topics such as dressing for and sleeping in the cold, cold-weather shelters, cooking and meal preparation, equipment, first aid, hypothermia, and more. OKPIK is open to adults as well as youth age 14 and older.
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Wilderness First Aid
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where medical care or rapid transport may not be available. All BSA High Adventure Bases require at least one person per trek to be current in WFA through one of the BSA’s approved providers. Our council conducts certified Wilderness First Aid courses at least twice a year.
Outdoor Ethics & Leave No Trace Trainer Course
The Boy Scouts of America partner with Leave No Trace to offer training in environmental stewardship. This 16-hour, overnight course trains adults and youth ages 14 and up to serve as Leave No Trace Trainers. Attendees learn the basics of Leave No Trace principles and the Outdoor Code, and how to teach these skills to others. This course is also the first step to becoming a Leave No Trace Master Educator.
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Leave No Trace homepage >
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Questions about Outdoor Ethics & Leave No Trace? Contact one of our Master Educators here.
Wood Badge
Wood Badge is an advanced national leadership course for Scouting volunteers. Wood Badge was developed by the founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell. The course allows Scouters to think about the practice of Scouting, to meet together, to exchange experiences, and to live together in the spirit of the Scout Oath, all with the goal of strengthening the Scouting program. The course is open to adult leaders at all levels of Scouting.
Leadership Challenges at Philmont Scout Reservation & Summit Bechtel Reserve
The Philmont Leadership Challenge (PLC) and Summit Leadership Challenge (SLC) are open to any registered adults who have completed Wood Badge (you can still be working on your beads). Adults learn to internalize and practice their leadership skills in an action-packed backcountry conference. The course hones the skills taught in Wood Badge in an outdoor experiential learning environment. These courses underscore the values of Scouting and teamwork and promotes the concepts of servant leadership. Open to all programs.
Philmont Leadership Challenge Information
Summit Leadership Challenge Information
National Training Opportunities
All four of the BSA's National High Adventure Bases (HAB) offer additional training for leaders who want to go in-depth in their area of interest. Click on each base below to learn more.
Summit Bechtel Reserve (Glen Jean, WV)
Philmont Training Center (Cimarron, NM)
Sea Base (Islamorada, FL)
Northern Tier High Adventure Base (Ely, MN)