Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Training

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation is a one-day training event that introduces parents and leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping.

A day of fun and learning prepares pack leaders to plan and carry out "entry-level" outdoor experiences. Ask a boy why he wants to be a Cub Scout, and nine times out of 10 he'll answer "to go camping." Cub Scouting has designed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) training, so boys, along with their parents or some other adult, can participate in a successful overnight camping experience.

A pack camp-out, at a location approved by the local council, is a great way for families to have fun and build confidence in outdoor skills. This kind of camping isn't the rugged high adventure outing geared toward older Boy Scouts. It's what you might call "soft camping," where families can simply drive up to a campsite and pitch a tent within a few feet of their vehicle's rear bumper. The emphasis is on family fun activities that don't require lots of advanced outdoor skills.

How do you get started? A member of your pack committee needs to attend BALOO training. The six-hour BALOO session will give your pack's outdoor activity leader the tools to conduct a safe and successful overnight.

The morning BALOO sessions include the why and how of Cub Scout camping—planning, equipment, meal preparation, and campfire programs. In the afternoon, Cub Scouters rotate among four round-robin sessions—fire safety, stoves, and lanterns; first aid and sanitation; nature hikes and games; and cooking. Scattered throughout the day are plenty of the four S's: songs, stunts, stories, and showmanship.

With proper planning and your BALOO-trained leader, your pack should be set for a fun and exciting weekend event.

Upcoming BALOO Training Opportunities...

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