BALOO

Parents and Leaders - we are in CRITICAL need of more BALOO trained adults in our Pack.

What IS BALOO training? 

BALOO training is the Cub Scout leader training required for any Cub Scout den or pack outdoor event, including pack and Webelos den overnight camping. BALOO certification is reached after completion of two components—one online and one practical, hands-on session (that means you'll be camping). Both components must be completed to qualify as a “TRAINED” Cub Scout outdoor leader.

The online component which must be completed prior to the practical component contains introductory and basic information that will be built upon during the camping. Cool thing... YOU CAN DO THIS PORTION RIGHT NOW in the comfort of your own home by simply logging into your my.scouting.org account (the same one where you took Youth Protection Training) and knock that out of the way!  Talk about being proactive! 

Why take BALOO?  

Great question! I'm glad you asked. Here's the simple explanation: We cannot camp without BALOO trained adults. It's that simple. 

As a Pack, we are not allowed to camp-out anywhere other than at a Council or District sponsored event UNLESS we have at least one BALOO trained adult. Currently, only have two BALOO trained adults in our ENTIRE PACK!  How is this possible in a Unit our size?!?

As a Pack, we have set a standard that we will have a minimum of two BALOO trained adults on every overnight event, because if there is only one.... and that person has to leave... the event has to end. The more BALOO trained adults we have in our Pack, the better off our entire program is.

We know not everyone can make every camp out which is why we need MULTIPLE PARENTS AND LEADERS to obtain their BALOO certification. This is not the time to rely on everyone else to ensure your Scout's program is the best one around -- THIS is a way YOU can make an IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE!!!

BUT I'M NOT A TRAINED LEADER

So what? You don't have to be!  Cool, huh? You only have to be an adult who wants to see our Pack's outdoor program continue and succeed.

SO, WHAT'S THE CATCH?

The catch is that... we need parents to attend!  You need to take the training and then commit to being one of those BALOO trained adults who comes camping with us!  

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE TRAINING?

• April 6-8 at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch will be a combined BALOO and IOLS course so participants will earn both certifications! IOLS is Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills. If you want to be an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Troop once your son joins Boy Scouts, this is that required leadership training -- you'll already have it out of the way! BONUS! Do note that this has a 6:30ish check in time that Friday night at Sid so consider travel times. 

• April 13-14 at Joe Pool Lake will be a BALOO only course (6p-6p)

• September 15-16 (location and times TBA)

For the April courses, registration is live now.  CLICK HERE and scroll down to the course you wish to take and sign up online.  Take the online portions sometime this month and you're SET and my personal hero!  Who wouldn't want that designation?

Once you complete the course, you get a handy dandy business sized card that signifies you are indeed a BALOO trained adult. KEEP THAT IN YOUR WALLET!  It has to be on your person for the overnight events! Oh, and Pack leadership - we need a copy of that!

The only way to make our program be the best one around is to invest in it!  

BALOO is one or two evenings with some amazing leadership and parents just like you who want to see their son's units be awesome! Such a small investment with a huge payoff for everyone!