Save the date promotion graphic for L.E.A.D. in 2025

Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill

Join your Fellow Scouters for a complete day of learning, fun and experience!

Questions? Email Craig Mizutani, L.E.A.D. 2024 Course Director

What Is L.E.A.D.?

Leader Education and Discovery (L.E.A.D.) is the ultimate one-day training event for Scout Leaders, Parents, Volunteers, and Senior Youth. It combines University of Scouting and Pow Wow into one epic leadership event. Join us for an action-packed day of learning, fun, and connecting with fellow Scouters!

Who Is L.E.A.D. For?

LEAD is the premier training event offered by the Golden Gate Area Council and is intended for Adult Leaders.

 L.E.A.D. is for Scouters who would like to learn new skills, how to work with youth more effectively, and increase the FUN in Scouting.

May Youth Attend?

Youth must be at least 13 years old and must register for at least one of the  CORE courses/programs along with the other conditions listed in the ‘Youth Attendees’ section below. 

What Will I Learn?

L.E.A.D. offers over 130 classes across 6 colleges. Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Young Adult Programs, Outdoor Education, Continuing Education, and Technology.

Registration

We’ll post this information when it becomes available.

Eric Gee – L.E.A.D. 2025Course Director

The day is broken up into 6 sessions in total. Some classes are a single session, while others (such as CPR certification or position-specific leader training) may span multiple sessions. Be sure to view the class schedule for course information.

This year, with the Extended Midway hours and walk-up Help Desk, attendees may wish to keep one or more sessions ‘open’ to take advantage of these features.

Also, check out the course schedule matrix for courses geared specifically to Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Committee Members, Scoutmasters, ASMs, Diversity/Equality/Inclusion, Outdoor Ethics, Emergency Preparedness, and Youth Members!

  • FISHING track – check out the Outdoor College matrix!
  • Mental Health Awareness track – courses to help units work with youth through the challenges of the pandemic and every-day life
  • Scouting Safety Track – revamped courses that highlight recent changes to health and safety guidelines for all units.
  • NEW INSURANCE CLASS (CED5043) – find out how to protect your unit and yourself by making sure you have the right insurance. Learn what is covered by the BSA and what additional steps you can take to protect your property and yourself!
  • Scouting Help Desk – register for a session to chat with a commissioner, or just drop in!
  • Expanded Midway hours – starting with session 3, all of the lunch break, and through session 4 (10:40 – 14:00)
  • Limitations on Youth Registration – youth should not register for courses other than those noted specifically for them (see policy, below)
Hands holding up letters spelling youth

LEAD is the premier training for Adult Leaders offered by the Golden Gate Area Council and is intended for Adult Leaders.

Youth must be aged 13+ and must register for at least one of the following CORE courses/programs:

  • BSA2006 (Den Chief Training)
  • CED5008 (Trainer’s EDGE)
  • YAP3002 (ILSC – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews)
  • Certain Sea Scout/Venturing/Exploring courses
  • Certain volunteer positions (volunteer positions must be coordinated with LEAD staff or Order of the Arrow)

Youth may also participate at LEAD as Instructors or volunteers (Youth Instructors are already assigned).

If not attending one of these CORE courses or programs, youth may not attend. We understand that some youth may be interested in attending LEAD. However, LEAD is intended for adult leaders and there are no provisions for unsupervised/unescorted youth.  All Youth attending LEAD must designate a parent/guardian who will be on-site during the time youth are in attendance.

Youth attending the above CORE courses/programs may register for additional courses ONLY if they are designated as appropriate for youth (college matrixes will also indicate such courses in light blue).  Youth registrations may be reviewed and inappropriate courses removed without notice.

Cub Scout badge

Cub Scouts College is for new and experienced Cub Scout leaders. Courses include position-specific training, ideas to bring fun and excitement to meetings, ways to engage parents, recruitment strategies, and skills such as First Aid, Woodcarving, Cooking, Derbies, and more!

Scouts BSA badge

The College of Scouts BSA offers courses and training for adult and youth leaders in Scouts BSA. Leaders can receive position-specific training, parents can learn about the transition from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA, youth can learn to be a great Den Chief or Senior Patrol Leader, and so much more. Join skills classes in cooking, paracord, STEM activities, team-building games, and more.

Venturing badge

Recommended for all Venturing scouts, parents, and adult leaders. Learn about the Venturing program and how Venturers compliment the Scouts BSA program

Sea Scouts badge

Sea Scouts was the original skills-based High Adventure program. Learn what Sea Scouts has to offer older youth and how it can provide opportunities to build your Troop’s High Adventure Program.

Exploring badge

Recommended for all Exploring scouts, parents, and adult leaders. Learn about the Exploring program and how Explorers complement the Scouts BSA program.

Office of Outdoor Education door

Outdoor Education classes are for everyone and include a broad range of topics including swimming, backpacking, snow camping, navigation, shooting sports, knots, high adventure, fishing, cycling, outdoor service projects and so much more. There is a class for every interest!

Continuing education poster

Continuing Education includes courses that are useful for all programs including courses in marketing, communication, safety, STEM/Nova, CPR, and other certifications, and District/Council events.

Graphic showing two avatars looking at a computer screen

The Technology College offers courses geared specifically toward scouting in the digital age. Courses include information on Scoutbook, my.Scouting, unit websites, and how to use technology effectively for your unit.

Help button

New this year! You have a scouting question? We have a team of knowledgeable, experienced scouters ready to get you answers, and provide guidance on best practices.

L.E.A.D. Health and Safety Guidelines

We anticipate a fabulous day of training for participants and staff! We will be abiding by all BSA, local, State, and Federal guidelines related to communicable diseases. There may be an update to these Health and Safety Guidelines as we get closer to the event.

 

Please wear the badge you are issued at registration to identify you as an authorized L.E.A.D. participant. DVC is an open campus where locals routinely walk the pathways. They may be curious about the activity on campus. Please exercise courtesy, but also be cautious and attentive to watch for unauthorized non-scouters entering the buildings. No one should be in the buildings (with the exception of the math building) without a L.E.A.D. badge issued at registration. We may be responsible for any damage or vandalism to the buildings or grounds.

 

There may be a considerable walking distance between some of the classes, especially the “ET”, “H” and “BWL” buildings. The most direct routes will usually involve a couple series of stairs. Ramps are always available, however in most cases the distance is longer and sometimes the path to the ramp is not obvious or clearly defined. If you have any mobility challenges, you may want to consider parking in Lot 1 (near the ET and MA Building) or Lot 7 (upper lot near the H and BWL Buildings). Most participants will be guided to park in Lots 7 and 8.

 

OA Scouts will be scattered throughout the campus to direct participants to the various classrooms or outdoor areas. We will do our best to provide all the signage necessary for people to find where they need to be.

 

All buildings are “NO SMOKING.” Smoking is only permitted in the parking lots.

 

A self-serve FIRST AID STATION will be available in the rear of the ground floor of the HSF (cafeteria) building.

 

The normal seasonal flu season is upon us, please take the following precautions:

  • If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your shirt sleeve, not your hands.

 

Please help to keep the campus clean by picking up after yourself and others. Deposit any waste in the appropriate receptacles.

In case of fire or other emergency, please call 911 then contact a L.E.A.D staff member.

 

In the event of a disaster on campus, participants will be advised to remain in any unaffected classroom. Affected classes will be evacuated to the nearest parking lot.

 

In the event of a fire in a classroom, pull the fire alarm and evacuate to the nearest parking lot. If you hear the fire alarm, calmly evacuate to the nearest parking lot. Be aware and alert for arriving firefighting trucks and emergency personnel.

 

Have a safe Scouting Day!

 

LEAD 2024 Participant Health and Safety Guidelines

Degree Information

This year L.E.A.D. will offer Degree Programs across 8 colleges.

  • Cub Scouts
  • Scouts BSA
  • Venturing
  • Sea Scouts
  • Exploring
  • Outdoor Education
  • Continuing Education
  • Technology

GGAC L.E.A.D. Degree Program Guidelines

The L.E.A.D. Degree Program provides an informal program of advancement in an atmosphere of fellowship and fun. The intent is for you to be able to track the progress of your supplemental training and to reward yourselves for your accomplishments. The incentive is not only for you to carry on with your training, but to inspire you to return each year and share the wealth of your experience with all of us, as you continue your own Scouting Trail. You need not complete a degree to participate fully in the L.E.A.D., but if you are interested, here are some important guidelines:

1. The L.E.A.D. Degree Program is open to all registered Scouts and Scouters, ages 14 and older, who have completed the basic training for their position. Valid Youth Protection Training certification for the appropriate program and age level is required for all degrees.
2. Those who intend to pursue a degree must fill out their Degree Program Applications and submit them to the L.E.A.D. Registration Desk by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event, in order to receive their certificates and appropriate patches at the closing ceremony.
3. Late applications will be processed as time and materials permit, but they may be lost if not submitted promptly.
4. University transcripts are not maintained by the GGAC event volunteers. It is up to all students to track their own participation in L.E.A.D., and the event staff cannot promise to help recreate lost records should that distributed paperwork be misplaced.

5. Each Degree builds on that which came before, so the Masters, for example, requires completion of the Bachelor degree in order to apply. GGAC L.E.A.D. staff makes no commitment to accept degrees from other councils as prerequisites to any degree in this program.
6. Courses taken from the legacy SFBAC University of Scouting will count for courses completed.
7. The only degrees open to youth under the age of 18 are Associate and Bachelor; the Doctorate is available only to Adult Scouters 21 and over.
8. Finally, if this is not fun, then you are not doing it correctly: Stop doing this immediately, if it is not fun!

If you would like a rocker patch for the degree(s) you earned, they will be available for purchase for $1 per patch, cash only.

Map of Diablo Valley College's Pleasant Hill campus

Venturing

Sea Scouts

Exploring

International

Highlander

Shooting Sport

STEM

Scouting for Food

Order of the Arrow

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