BALOO

YOU need to take BALOO!

What IS BALOO training? 

BALOO stands for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation and it's a requirement for all Packs to have a BALOO trained adult at 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.

Check out THIS LINK for another great read on how they've overhauled the BALOO training.

The online module which must be completed prior to the practical component contains basic information that will be built upon during the hands-on portion. 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 the updated Youth Protection Training -- yeah, I'm looking at you!!) so you can go ahead and just 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 three BALOO trained adults ENTIRE PACK!  One more is registered but the real question is -- 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 REGISTERED 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... it takes a village... so BE THE VILLAGE!!  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?"

• Sept. 15-16 8am-11am at Hills and Hollows Denton  REGISTER HERE

• Sept. 21-22 6p-5p at Camp Burnett in Southlake REGISTER HERE

• Sept. 22-23 8a-12 at Hills and Hollows in Denton REGISTER HERE

Registration is LIVE RIGHT NOW.  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!  

It's full of 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!