National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is the premier youth leadership program offered by Hawk Mountain Council. NYLT is an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and crews, and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.
Become a Merit Badge Counselor
Become a Merit Badge Counselor
What expertise do you have to share with Scouts? Check out the list of merit badges and their requirements. To become a merit badge counselor or to change your list of badges offered, complete the Merit Badge Counselor application and a new adult application (using position code 42), and take the Merit Badge Counselor training on my.Scouting.org. This position also requires current Youth Protection training.
Experienced Leaders
Hawk Mountain Council recognizes that some leaders are very experienced with the operation of a Scouts BSA troop and also serve as merit badge counselors. We have prepared an online training that meets the national training requirements for Merit Badge Counselors for those who are already experienced and familiar with the Scouts BSA program. Complete this training by watching the video below and then reporting it to the training committee as directed at the conclusion.
Youth Protection Training Updates
UPDATED YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING MODULES
Over the decades, the Boy Scouts of America has been a leader in developing training and policies designed to keep young people safe. Over time, these policies have become standard with organizations across the nation. True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within the Boy Scouts of America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, regional, area, council, district, and unit levels.
We have heard your feedback and are now releasing updates to the mandatory online Youth Protection Training to include items such as:
- New mobile friendly design.
- Updates to the certification test to make questions less ambiguous.
We will communicate when this new release is available. The target date is June 1st, 2021. We recommend anyone who has started the online training prior to this date complete the training before the updates. The new versions will cause the loss of any progress in a module.
Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills – Backpacking Edition
Scouts BSA Leader Course, May 22nd – 23rd 2021
Adult leaders, are you comfortable with camping but would like to organize and lead more high adventure activities for your troop? In May, join our overnight Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills course to go backpacking with fellow leaders.
What is this course and who is this for?
The course explores the back corners of Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation and is led by experienced backcountry guides. This course is open for more than just those in need of Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training. It should be noted that all required IOLS course material will be covered while hiking on the trail. The course is also for those who simply want to experience the challenge and fun of backpacking. Leaders who have completed IOLS but would like to further improve backcountry skills are more than welcome to participate.
What will I learn?
In addition to regular outdoor skills, you will learn trail navigation, gear, hydration and cooking for backcountry camping, trail crew planning and methods and tips for keeping you (and the scouts) healthy and happy on the trail. You will carry your tents to the overnight location.
What will I need?
You will need to carry a backpack, your sleeping bag/pad and scout essentials for approximately 8 miles over 2 days. There will be a Zoom Question & Answer session held where a complete gear list will be discussed on the weekend prior to the course. We highly recommend that you borrow gear you need before purchase as you will learn about what gear you want to have. 
Will I have fun?
Leaders who have completed this course have had the same reaction – they learned more than they expected and had a lot of fun together. Leave the campsite behind, get outdoors and strengthen your skills and leadership.
Where can I sign up?
Sign up soon at https://hmc-bsa.org/event/iols-intro-to-outdoor-leader-skills-backpacking-edition/. The course has a cap of 12 participants.
Youth Protection Training Information
Dear Hawk Mountain Volunteers and Parents,
Over the decades, the Boy Scouts of America has been a leader in developing training and policies designed to keep young people safe. Over time, these policies have become standard with organizations across the nation. Now, the Boy Scouts of America is releasing fully updated training to further strengthen our ability to protect youth
Leadership Training
One of the keys to a successful Scouting experience for young people, second only to the selection of the right person for each responsibility, is trained volunteer leadership.
The training philosophy of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide adults with fundamental information about the aims and purpose of the movement, as well as specifics about their particular roles in Scouting.
PA Background Checks
Overview – Pennsylvania Act 153 Pertaining to Volunteers
Summary
In October 2014, Governor Corbett signed PA Act 153 into law. This legislation is designed to increase the safety of children by requiring background checks and child abuse clearances for all volunteers and staff who are responsible for children. This law impacts all organizations who serve youth and also includes strengthened mandatory reporting requirements for adult volunteers and staff.
What is the criteria for clearances?
Adults who are currently unpaid volunteers, or are applying to be unpaid volunteers with the following responsibilities:
- Acting in lieu of, or on behalf of a parent by providing care, supervision, guidance, or control of children, or…
- Having regular, ongoing contact with children that is integral to their volunteer responsibilities.
