Training

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General

All people involved in the Scouts Canada program require some training. The training requirements are summarized in the Volunteer Screening Policy document.

The level of training required obviously differs between Scouters, and Parents who stay overnight at a camp, or Parents who simply come on a hike with the youth.

The training is online on the myscouts website.

Some people report technical difficulties doing the training on myscouts. It should be noted that there are often multiple Sessions to each Module and multiple Modules to each Course. If there are problems with the system recognizing completion, it is recommended to take a screen shot at the completion of each Session to prove that you have in fact taken the course. Apparently myscouts works best with Google Chrome. Using Macs, ipads or smartphones don’t work well or at all. Ipads allow people to take the training but often does not give credit for some reason. Also, users need to wait until they says that they may now close the screen. If the screen is closed too soon, the records won’t be updated.

If a parent moves into a Leadership role from a Parent Overnight role, the Parent Overnight role should be removed and the Scouter role made the “Primary Org”. Leaving the Active Parent Overnight role in the myscouts system can cause confusion when they become Active Scouters.

Scouters

Scouters need to be registered and complete a number of training courses.

Volunteers are not allowed to be in a leadership role, nor allowed to wear a uniform, until their myscouts profile is listed as Active.

After registering, Volunteers have 90 days to become 100% compliant with all screening/training requirements to get them Active for their registered role. After 90 days, the member will be inactivated from the Group role and therefore cannot be in a leadership role, and won’t count for ratio. It is therefore important for the Registrar to keep up to date with the training status.

Initial Training

To become Active, the following is required (the order is not important):

  • Application.
  • Reference Check (done automatically once the application is entered).
  • PRC / VSS (Police Record Check).
  • Interview.
  • Accept the Code of Conduct on myscouts.
  • Online Scouting Fundamentals course (Six modules taking a total of about 2 hours) under "My Learning Path" through the “DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre” on myscouts. “Scouting Fundamentals” includes "Accessibility Training" and a session called "Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders". This doesn't need to be done in one sitting.
  • Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders" course taken through the “DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre” on myscouts. This takes about 3 hours and doesn't need to be done in one sitting. The cost (~$30) for this will be reimbursed by the Group.
  • Once the above is all done, Council Approval is granted.
  • Once all the above is done, the Group Commissioner approves the Role.

Once a Scouter is Active, they can be invested into the Section and act in a leadership role.

To stay Active, the following is required:

  • Wood Badge I for Canadian Path course taken through the “DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre” on myscouts. Most of the sessions are generic to all Sections, and some are Section-specific (Beavers/Cubs/Scouts/Venturers). This takes about ~5-6 hours and doesn't need to be done in one sitting.
  • Existing Scouters who have Section-specific Woodbadge I training or have done the "Wood Badge I for Canadian Path" training are encouraged to redo five or six sessions in the "Wood Badge I for Canadian Path" when they move between Sections. This is meant as a refresher and/or an introduction to the new Section.
  • Yearly acceptance of Code of Conduct on myscouts.


Scouters have to the end of the Scouting year in which they were registered (31 Aug) to complete "Wood Badge I for Canadian Path" or they will become Inactive.

Application

The volunteer must complete the registration on-line on myscouts. Paper forms are not longer accepted. If they cannot do it or they have forgotten to renew, then the Group Commissioner or Registrar can complete the registration in myscouts by selecting “Org Options” > ”Register A Volunteer”. Follow the screens to complete the registration ensuring that the correct Section and Role are selected.

Reference Check

The reference check is automatically done and updated by the BackCheck service. BackCheck updates the data on myscouts directly. Our Group therefore doesn’t have to do the checks.

The registration requires five references, but only three are need to be contacted and be listed as "Passed" on myscouts. The extra two are requested in case there is a problem with the others. As of Oct 2019, applicants and references may not be related by blood, adoption, or marital status.

If a Scouter moves to our Group from another Group, the Reference Check must be redone. There is a standard reference check list of questions that the Group Commissioner can be email to the references. The response needs to be sent to the Help Centre to enter into their myscouts profile.

PRC and VSS

The Scouters (and Adults who attend overnight without their youth) must have a clean Police Record Checks (PRC) and Vulnerable Sector Screening/Search (VSS). In BC, this is done as a single process though the BC government:

  • The access code provided below is unique to Scouts Canada and can only be used by Scouts Canada volunteers. You will require this code when submitting your request online.
  • Online BC Ministry of Justice Link: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC/ Access Code for Scouts Canada: BPMXBZZ8B9
  • Ensure that you request a NEW record check rather than simply SHAREing a previously completed PCR. Note that Scouts Canada requires a new PRC that is less than a few months old.
  • The results of the criminal record check will be sent directly by email to Scouts Canada - BCY Service Centre who will then process it by entering the information into myscouts.
  • This check covers both the PRC and the VSS.

Alternatively, the PRC can be done through BackCheck for $20-$25. For some reason, the reminders sent by Scouts Canada lead people to use this paid service rather than the free service.

If someone under 25 years old (i.e. a Rover) is requesting a PRC, they need to physically submit a paper copy; the electronic version will not work. The Rover gets a two-page form from the Ministry of Justice website ("Employee/Applicant Consent to a Criminal Record Check"), the Group Commissioner must check their ID, sign the form, then scan and email it to the West Registration (WestRegistration@scouts.ca). West Registration will then send it off to the Ministry of Justice for review. The original application needs to be kept on file for 5 years, so the original should be mailed/dropped off at the BCY Service Centre on Broadway.

The Council Registrar (or maybe someone else at Scouts Canada) will send an email to people who have a PRC that is coming due. If you follow the link they provide, it is done through Backcheck and will cost the Group. If you use the link above for the Ministry of Justice, it is free. Our Group Registrar will monitor PRC expiry dates and remind Scouters.

As long as you have a VSS on file and a recent PRC, there no concern about an “expired” VSS. VSS updates are only required if there is a break in Service and/or a lapse in PRC screening.

If a person has the same birthdate (day and year) as someone with a criminal record, they may need to be fingerprinted as part of this PRC process. If this happens, the Ministry of Justice sends the applicant a form that they must take to a local police detachment. The Police then mails the fingerprint information to the Ministry of Justice, who complete the record check, and then the BCY Service Centre updates the records on myscouts. This process can take a while.

Interview

The ½ - 1 hour interview is usually done by the Group Commissioner and a Section Scouter after the references come back. A minimum of two registered Scouters who have done the “Volunteer Screening” Training (a 25 minute video requested through the “DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre” on myscouts) are required.

The Interview Assessment Summary is a guide to the questions to ask during the interview and the Volunteer Screening Checklist is a form to be filled out by the interviewers. Once the interview is completed, the Group Commissioner signs the form and then the Group Commissioner or Registrar enters the information into myscouts (Screening>Interviews). Note that the comments section of the nine questions do not require that a detailed description be entered (“Agrees.” is fine) unless the person is being rejected as a Scouter.

If a Scouter moves to our Group from anther Group, an Interview must be redone.

The forms do not need to be sent into the Scout office for filing. The fact that the Group Commissioner or Registrar enters the information into myscouts is proof enough that the Group Commissioner approves the Interview.

Code of Conduct

All volunteers must accept the Code of Conduct annually. This is done on myscouts and should simply pop up when you log into myscouts. There is a paper version that can be signed and submitted to the Registrar who can override the record in myscouts.

Scouting Fundamentals

All volunteers must complete "Scouting Fundamentals" on myscouts. There are six sessions, each taking about 10-20 minutes to complete and about two hours total. One session is Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders, which takes and additional ~3 hours.

One of the modules in Scouting Fundamentals includes “Accessibility Training”.

This is the updated version of what was called Woodbadge I Module 1 (WB1 Module 1 All Sections (WB1mod1/AS)).

Council Approval

Once all the above is completed, the person will receive Council Approval and become Active. This typically takes a few days. If this is taking too long, follow up with the Council Registrar. As of Sep 2019, this is no longer Dyanna Pfenniger and instead you need to send an email to Tara Cerhit in Edmonton at westregistration@scouts.ca

Group Commissioner Approval

Select “Org Options” > ”Scouter Approval” to Activate the Scouter. The Group Commissioner should not Activate anyone who still has anything listed under “Requires” – wait for these to be completed and the Council Registrar has given Council Approval (CA) before Activating. Confirm the appropriate Section under “Organization”, the appropriate Role under “Role”, and select “Activate” under “Action”. Then click on “Process Batch”.

Additional Training

Wood Badge I for Canadian Path

By Aug 31st of the year the member volunteered, they must complete the "Wood Badge I for Canadian Path" training. Scouters in non-Section roles can take Woodbadge I for Group Committee. Wood Badge I for Canadian Path can be done online (~seventeen sessions). The online training takes ~4-6 hours and doesn't need to be done in one sitting.

In-person training used to be offered over the course of a weekend, typically out at Camp McLean. As of 2018, Scouts moved to only having the training online for consistency across the Country. If in-person training is offered, it is highly recommended.

The Group will immediately cover the cost for Scouters, Venturers and Rovers to take the in-person training. Please submit the expense form, complete with all receipts, to the Treasurer at a Group Committee meeting.

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

The course takes about 2-1/2 hours and doesn't need to be done in one sitting.

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders training replaces the old "Child and Youth Safety Training" course (Scouting Fundamentals – Module 1 Session 5: How Scouting Helps Keep Youth Safe) and is accessible through the David Heustis Learning Centre. A certificate will be provided upon completion of the course, which is transferable to all youth serving organizations that utilize Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders as their mandatory safety training program, and is valid for 5 years (at which point it must be renewed with training repeated).

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders training is mandatory for all Scouters and Rover Scouts. The training costs ~$30, and individuals will be prompted to pay via credit card or via PayPal at the beginning of the session.

The Group will immediately cover the cost for Scouters, Venturers and Rovers to take this training. Please submit the expense form, complete with all receipts, to the Treasurer at a Group Committee meeting.

Individuals, who have a current Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders training certificate can inquire with the Help Centre to see if it meets Scout’s Canada’s requirement. The training will need to be redone when the certificate expires.

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders training, can be accessed on myscouts through the David Heustis Learning Centre (DHLC) under “My Learning Path” or by searching through the Course Catalogue for Course ID: 6520.

This was a new requirement in 2016-2017 year.

Foodsafe

For all camps, it is suggested (but not mandatory) that at least one Scouter or older Youth (Scout/Venturer/Rover) should have Foodsafe training.

Fundraising BBQs require an application for a Temporary Food Permit and it is mandatory for a person with Foodsafe training to be present the whole time.

The Group will immediately cover the cost for this training. Please submit the expense form, complete with all receipts, to the Treasurer at a Group Committee meeting.

First Aid

First Aid requirements are defined in Scouts Canada's policies. At a minimum each Section in our Group should have two qualified Scouters with First Aid qualification present at every Section meeting, event, outing, camp, etc. If a Scouter is not available, another qualified person can be designated the First Aider. Scouts Canada recommends the Red Cross developed Standard First Aid (2 day course), Wilderness & Remote First Aid (3-day course) training courses, and Advanced Wilderness & Remote First Aid (40 hours). The level of training required varies with the context within which the programming occurs. The Scouter qualifications are tracked by the Registrar or Group Commissioner who will keep the Scouter's qualifications on record.

The First Aid program training is available locally through:


The cost of First Aid training will be covered 50% up front and the remainder reimbursed if the Scouter stays with the Group for one year. Please submit the expense form, complete with all receipts, to the Treasurer at a Group Committee meeting.

If Scout-age youth want to take First Aid training, they should be encourages to take Standard First Aid, rather than Emergency First Aid. Either will be reimbursed, but the preference is for Standard First Aid as someone with Emergency First Aid does not qualify as a First Aider on an Adventure Application Form (AAF).

If Venturer-age youth want to take First Aid training, they should be encourages to take Standard First Aid, rather than Emergency First Aid. At this level, only Standard First Aid will be reimbursed. This is because Venturers can camp on their own and two youth with Standard First Aid would be required for this.

More advanced training (higher level first aid, Wilderness First Aid, etc.) can be discussed in the Group Committee and may be covered on a case by case basis.

Child and Youth Safety Training

Normally this training is done when taking Scouting Fundamentals or when parent take the Parent Overnight (“Safe Scouting for Parents”) training. This can be done on myscouts as follows:

  • Click on “DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre”.
  • Click on the “Course Catalogue”.
  • Under Subject, select “Scouts Canada Training”, under Topic, select “Scouting Fundamentals”.
  • Click on “6071 - Scouting Fundamentals - Session 5: How Scouting helps you deliver a safe program”.
  • Click on the “Request this Leaning Opp” button.
  • Go back a couple of screens and click on the “Requested Modules” button.
  • Launch the “6071 - Scouting Fundamentals - Session 5: How Scouting helps you deliver a safe program” training.
  • It will take about an hour to get through the training.

Volunteer Screening

To perform an interview for a new Scouter, a minimum of two registered Scouters who have done the “Volunteer Screening” Training are required.

This is a 25 minute video requested through the “DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre” on myscouts.

Youth in Rovers

Rovers require the same training as a Scouter (including "Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders"). If they are volunteering in a Section and want to count for Ratio, then full Wood Badge I for Canadian Path is required. A registered Rover wanting to volunteer as a Scouter must "Register as a Volunteer" on myscouts just like any other Scouter. Most of the information will be prepopulated as they are already in the system. The Group Commissioner or Registrar can no longer add a role for someone who does not already have a Role.

Rovers cannot apply for a PRC until they are 18 years old. If they are 17 and attending a camp as a Rover, the camp will not require that a PRC to be completed. As soon as they are 18, a PRC is required. As this would be a first PCR for the Rover, a paper copy must be submitted - see the PRC / VSS part of this page for further information.

FOCUS/FAST/FLEX training "will help youth learn the skills to become the greatest leaders they can be. These modules on core leadership skills will help youth take on the kinds of leadership opportunities that will take them to the next level and achieve truly great things." At one time, Rovers could take FOCUS (Future Of Canada United in Scouting) training. In the past this has been done at Camp Whonnock or at the Scout office on Broadway.

Youth in Venturers

No specific training is required.

Venturers attending a Jamboree as an Offer of Service (OOS) typically needs to FOCUS training and Child and Youth Safety Training, and possibly Wood Badge I for Canadian Path. The exact training needs to be confirmed as each Jamboree is different.

FOCUS/FAST/FLEX training "will help youth learn the skills to become the greatest leaders they can be. These modules on core leadership skills will help youth take on the kinds of leadership opportunities that will take them to the next level and achieve truly great things." At one time, Venturers could take FOCUS (Future Of Canada United in Scouting) training. In the past this has been done at Camp Whonnock or at the Scout office on Broadway.

Youth Beavers, Cubs, Scouts

No specific training is required.

FOCUS/FAST/FLEX training "will help youth learn the skills to become the greatest leaders they can be. These modules on core leadership skills will help youth take on the kinds of leadership opportunities that will take them to the next level and achieve truly great things."

At one time, Cubs could take FLEX (Fun Leadership EXperience) training, and Scouts could take FAST (Fun Active Scout Training) training. In the past this has been done at Camp Whonnock.

Focus/Fast/Flex training has been revamped for the Canadian Path Program. In 2017, the FLEX training was offered as stations at Cuboree.

Parents

Any adult who is not registered with Scouts Canada and who helps in a meeting, outing, or comes to a camp needs to have some training before they attend. The amount of training depends on what role they are doing.

  • All Parents should review and accept the Group Expectations for Parents.
  • Parents and other adults who participate in Scouting activities (including going on a hike) need to fill out a Physical Fitness Certificate for Non Members form and give it to the Section Scouter. This only needs to be done once (and updated when conditions change), and the information can be kept by the Section Scouter with the youth registration forms. The Group Registrar will ensure that the MyScouts profile is updated with the information provided.
  • Parents who help out at a meeting or outing need to be set up with a “Parent Helper” role by the Group Registrar. The parent needs to accept the Code of Conduct on MyScouts. Their role must be explained to the youth.
  • Parents who stay overnight with their youth need to be set up with a “Parent Overnight” role by the Group Registrar. The parents need to accept the Code of Conduct and complete “Safe Scouting for Parents” training on MyScouts. Their role must be explained to the youth. Setting them up with the “Parent Overnight” role should be done before they do the training so the prompt to accept the Code of Conduct comes up when they log into MyScouts. If the Role is not set, they are not prompted.
  • Adults (including close relatives like a grandparent), who attend overnight without their youth need to accept the “Code of Conduct”, complete the “Safe Scouting for Parents” training course, and have a PRC / VSS (Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening). Their role must be explained to the youth.
  • Parents who attend activities as a “Parent Helper” or a “Parent Overnight” are NOT insured by Scouts Canada.
  • Youth who attend who are not registered with Scouts Canada (e.g. younger siblings or friends) are NOT insured by Scouts Canada and need to have both a Hold Harmless form and a Physical Fitness Certificate for Non Members form completed. The names of these youth should be included when submitting the Adventure Application Form (AAF).
  • There used to be a requirement that Parents attending a camp had to complete a Hold Harmless form. This is no longer required.
  • Parents who go across the border for an event need to complete a Hold Harmless form.
  • Parents do not count for ratio and the two-deep rule still applies (two Scouters with all youth).
  • If parents show up at a camp with plans to stay overnight and have not done the “Safe Scouting for Parents” training, they either need to go home or complete the training through the DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre on MyScouts. There used to be a video at http://www.scouts.ca/vstk/pdf/training/Safe-Scouting-for-Parents.pdf (LINK NO LONGER WORKS) where we could have the parent watch the video and make a note of who watched it. The Group Registrar would then add a note of this training in their MyScouts profile. This link no longer works, so it is very important to have the parents fully trained BEFORE they go to camp and make them aware of the fact that they will be sent home if they do not comply.

Group Expectations for Parents

Part of setting up parents with a Parent Helper or Parent Overnight Role is a new requirement called “Group Expectations”. This should be emailed to the parents and ask them to confirm by email that they have read and understand the content.

  • Parent Helper and Parent Overnight Volunteers do not count toward the ratio of Scouters to youth.
  • There is a two-deep rule in Scouts. This means that no one adult should be alone with a youth at any time (except your own child). You must be supervised by at least two other registered and fully screened Scouters when with youth.
  • The primary responsibility of Parents/Guardians always lies with their own child.
  • During camps, please help out where possible. This can include helping in the kitchen with meal preparation, serving, cleanup, etc.
  • Safety protocols will be discussed at the beginning of a camp – boundaries, egress, emergency procedures and meeting location, etc. If you have any questions, please ask.
  • A First Aid Scouter will be assigned for all camps. If you don’t know who this is, please ask.
  • During regular meetings, it is up to you and your child as to whether you stay in the meeting hall or elsewhere nearby. If you leave, please return on time at the end of the meeting.
  • Our Group's expectation of any Parent Helper / Parent Overnight is that all behaviour remains in line with our Organizational Code of Conduct as agreed upon.

Parent Training

The “Code of Conduct” and “Safe Scouting for Parents” training can be done on myscouts as follows:

  • The Section Scouter and/or Group Registrar should ensure that the parents are linked to their youth in MyScouts. If a link needs to be made (or duplicate records removed), the Group Registrar will have to request that this be done by the Help Centre.
  • The Group Registrar should ensure the parent has a “Parent Overnight” role (or “Parent Helper” role) added to their MyScouts profile. Do this before asking the parents to complete their training.
  • Get the parents to do the following:
    • Log into myscouts
    • If the parent has trouble, they should go to myscouts and click on “Request new password”, enter their email address and confirm that they are human. This will email them the password reset instructions. Log in and reset the password.
    • A pop-up should happen to get the parent to confirm that they accept the “Code of Conduct”. This pop-up will occur if they have the “Parent Overnight” or “Parent Helper” role in their profile.
    • Click on “DAVID HUESTIS Learning Centre”.
    • Click on “*Parents attending an overnight activity* For quick access to your Safe Scouting for Parents training, click here.”
    • Complete the “Safe Scouting for Parents” training.
    • Apparently this works best with Google Chrome. Using Macs, iPads or smartphones doesn’t work well or at all.
  • The Group Registrar can “Activate” the “Parent Helper” after they have given their Physical Fitness Certificate for Non Members forms to their Section Scouter, the information provided is added to their MyScouts profile, they have completed the “Safe Scouting for Parents” training course, and they have accepted the “Code of Conduct”.
  • Once a parent is “Active” in their role, they are permitted to attend a camp.
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