Continuum of Adult Catholic Leadership Training
The NCCS Training Committee provides a full toolbox of quality adult leadership training available in a variety of delivery options and locations for everyone who interacts with Catholic Scouting. This includes pastors, youth ministers and other parish staff, diocesan/eparchial staff, Scouting volunteers and parents of Scouts. No matter what your area of responsibility and experience, you are sure to find course offerings to help meet your specific needs. Check back from time to time as new offerings are constantly in development and will be posted as they become available.
Participants: While primarily focusing on all individuals that are new to interacting with Catholic Scouting, it is also helpful to anyone changing roles, no matter what their level of experience.
Timing: ideally within the first 90 days of an individual starting a new role in Catholic Scouting
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the participant will:
- Understand your role as a new volunteer
- Understand how Catholic youth ministry fits within that role
- Understand how to incorporate Catholic tradition into the day-to-day operation of your Scouting unit
Prerequisites: none
Availability: Fast Training is continuously available. Access links to training resources below.
Time Commitment: 60-90 minutes per module.
Format: Presented in a white paper format, the NCCS Fast Start Training is a self-guided training intended as quick means to understanding the scope of your new volunteer role in Scouting and how Catholic youth ministry fits within that role. If you are a unit leader Fast Start Training is intended as a complement to the required BSA Leader training, providing information specific to imbuing Catholic tradition into the day to day operation of the unit in its role as Catholic youth ministry. If you are a Chartered Organizational Representative (COR) this training is a complement to BSA COR training.
Select the linked Fast Star Training titles below to access each training resource:
Participants: Scouters who want to use Catholic Scouting as a form of youth ministry
Timing: Within the first year of an individual becoming involved as a volunteer with Catholic Scouting
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the participant will:
- Understand the role of religious faith in your personal life to better serve the scout unit.
Prerequisites: The Scouter does not have to know any specific doctrines, nor is an extensive knowledge of Scripture presumed. What is of critical importance however is that the Scouter be reflective and willing to share those reflections with others.
Availability: The course is intended to be conducted locally by the Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting, utilizing the National Catholic Leadership Development Program Guide.
Time Commitment: Leaders who conduct the training can expect two hours of preparation time for each of the four components, in addition to leading each of the four component training sessions. Participants should expect 60-90 minutes per component for a total of 4-6 hours spread over 4-8 weeks to complete the program.
Format: This is a live training session, conducted in person or via virtual meeting. This is a special training course bringing Scouters to a better understanding of the role of religious faith in their lives. The program is designed to be experiential and not overly didactic. Through a series of guided reflections, both the individual and the group examine Scripture passages to ascertain how God is calling each to respond. The program has four components:
- The Call to Leadership
- The Call to Holiness
- The Call to Conversion and
- The Call to Worship
Participants: Members of Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting and other interested Scouters
Timing: ideally within the first year of a new Diocesan role.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this Scouting in the Local Church (SiLC) course, the participant will:
Understand organizational models and administrative strategies for the successful operation of the Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCOS) in the following themes:
- Structure and culture of the Catholic Church and where the DCCOS fits in.
- Purpose/Function of DCCOS as apart of the mission of Scouting as Youth Ministry
- Options for diocesan committee organization and operational procedures
- Using subcommittees to share and delegate the workload with volunteer laity.
- The current state of Catholic Units and instruction on recruiting new units.
- Securing Leadership and identifying talent to staff subcommittees and leadership.
- Setting Goals for developing the program to achieve Diocese and Unit Excellence.
Prerequisites: none, but helpful to complete the FAST START for their current position.
Availability: SiLC is offered annually via Zoom. For details and to register contact us.
Time Commitment: Approximately 16 hours of program and 4 hours of optional cracker-barrel discussion.
Format: Virtual meeting on ZOOM over seven days: Sunday afternoon, Monday to Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon. Sessions last approximately 3 hours with 45 minutes for a “cracker-barrel” discussion to share their best activities and programs.
Follow-up: Upon successful completion of the course, there is an opportunity for participants to earn the St. Brendan the Navigator Award by bringing back their experiences to their diocese/eparchy in the form of an approved project of personal development and formation.
Recognition: After successfully completing their project, participants will be presented the St. Brendan the Navigator award at the annual NCCS meeting.
Participants: Scouting in the Catholic Church is designed for any adult interested in using Scouting as a program for Catholic youth ministry such as Scout chaplains, clergy, youth ministers, as well as Diocesan/Eparchial, Regional and National Catholic Committee on Scouting leadership and members.
Timing: Within the first two years of an individual becoming involved as a volunteer with Catholic Scouting
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the participant will:
- Understand the mission and programs of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting
- Unite in faith formation
- Understand the concept of Scouting as youth ministry
Prerequisites:
Availability: Scouting in the Catholic Church is offered annually in July at the Philmont Training Center in New Mexico. Details for registration can be found on the Philmont Training Center website.
Time Commitment: Scouting in the Catholic Church is a weeklong residential camp experience.
Format: An in-person conference held at Philmont Training Center, near Cimarron, New Mexico. This flagship conference focuses participants not only on the mission and programs of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, but also involves them in adult faith formation and a full and complete understanding of the concept of Scouting as youth ministry. After the course, participants may also complete requirements for the Jerusalem Cross Award, which includes a project.