Scouting America - Buffalo Trail Council

06/04/2026

Safeguarding Youth Training Update (June 4, 1:00 PM ET)

Scouting America has provided additional guidance regarding Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT). Volunteers are encouraged to follow these steps to ensure their training status is updated correctly:

✅ Always Start from My.Scouting
• Log into My.Scouting and use the "Start" or "Retake Course" button
• Do not search for the course manually
• This ensures you are directed to the correct version of the training

✅ Verify Your Training Status First Before Retaking Training:
• Check your training status and expiration date in My Training
• Confirm whether your SYT is already current

✅ Take the Correct Course
• If your SYT is expired beyond the allowed window or has never been completed, take the full 90-minute course
• If you are eligible and current, complete the refresher course
• Taking the wrong course may not update your certification status

✅ Watch for Navigation Prompts
• Scroll within the course window and ensure all content is viewed before proceeding
• Progress buttons may not be immediately visible on all screen sizes

✅ If the Course Freezes or Will Not Advance
• Exit the course and relaunch it from My.Scouting
• If the issue continues, report it through your council so it can be escalated to IT

✅ If You Receive an Expiration Notice
• First verify your status in My.Scouting
• Some expiration notices were sent in error and are currently being addressed
• If your training is current, there may be no action required

Scouting America is actively working with IT and Learning Management System partners to:
• Correct email notification logic to improve accuracy
• Improve course routing between the full SYT and refresher courses
• Address user interface issues affecting course navigation and completion
• Continue monitoring system performance following recent infrastructure updates

Please check My.Scouting for the most current information regarding your training status before retaking any courses.

06/04/2026

Earning the Eagle Scout rank was never just about the badge — it was about the lessons, the leadership, the service, and the growth that shaped who I am today. 🦅
Now, the National Eagle Scout Association is helping us bring that legacy into the digital world. With NESA Digital Badging, Eagle Scouts can proudly display their accomplishments on LinkedIn, email signatures, resumes, and more.

It’s a powerful way to share the values we live by: leadership, service, citizenship, and continuous learning.
If you’re an Eagle, elevate your professional presence and show your Eagle pride.

Learn more: nesa.org/resources/digital-badges/

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

Scouting America has changed the Youth Protection Training to Safeguarding Youth Training. If you have not taken the new Safeguarding Youth Training 90-minute course your YPT was expired as of 5-31-26. You would have received an email from the national office letting you know. We also sent an email on 6-1-26 to all those that had expired training letting you know how to take the new training. There were issues where the system would take you to the refresher 20-minute course which is only for those that have taken the full new course. If you took the refresher course it will not give you credit for the new training. They have fixed the issue and it will now take you to the full course if you haven't taken it. If anyone has any questions, please reach out to me at the council office.

05/31/2026

Just one of the many projects completed at BTSR this weekend. A new sign.

05/29/2026

We are closed for lunch from 1130am-1230pm today Friday May 29, 2026.

05/29/2026

The Texas Trails Council and Abilene Sailing Association are teaming up for the 2026 Sailing Academy, and it’s going to be legendary! Whether you’re a total "landlubber" or a seasoned pro, this is your chance to master the water and level up your skills.

https://texastrailsbsa.doubleknot.com/event/2026-sailing-academy/3126823

05/29/2026

Let’s talk about one of the key factors that can lead to a successful year for your crew: the crew’s annual program plan!

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what keeps Venturers in the program. They like to have fun, do really cool, challenging activities, travel places, and meet others. However, in order to make all of these things happen, a crew must plan and prepare!

Check out the following link to learn more: https://www.scouting.org/programs/venturing/crew-resources/annual-program-planning/

The Venturing Activity Interest Survey and having youth leadership in your crew are two great examples of how Venturers can lead the adventure!

05/29/2026

A den leader asks, "How can I encourage parents to actively participate during den meetings instead of sitting in the back of the room on their phones?"

Many parents disengage during den meetings because they assume the leader already has everything covered, they are unsure how to help, or they think volunteering requires a major time commitment.

The best way to increase involvement is to make participation easy, specific, and expected from the beginning. Setting the tone early helps establish that Cub Scouts is a family-supported program, not a drop-off activity.

Rather than making broad requests for volunteers, it is far more effective to give parents small, clearly defined tasks during meetings, such as helping with a craft station, organizing supplies, supervising a game, or assisting with cleanup. Most parents are willing to help when they know exactly what is needed and understand that the commitment is manageable. Some refer to this as "micro volunteering."

It also helps to structure meetings so that adults naturally participate rather than sitting on the sidelines. Hands-on activities, parent-child challenges, team competitions, and rotating stations keep both Scouts and parents engaged.

Publicly thanking parents for helping reinforces a positive culture and encourages others to participate as well. Over time, assigning parents ownership of small responsibilities, such as advancement tracking, snack coordination, camping support, or communications, creates a stronger investment in the den’s success.

One-on-one conversations are often the most effective way to recruit help, since many parents respond better to a personal invitation than a general announcement.

Ultimately, the goal is to create the understanding that the den does not belong to one leader alone, but to all of the families working together to create a great experience for the Scouts.

What do you think? What advice can you offer to this den leader?



(The coach answers a question online every Friday. You have a question for the coach? Send it by DM for consideration.)

05/29/2026