Leader Education and Discovery (L.E.A.D.) is the ultimate one-day training conference for Scout Leaders, Parents, Volunteers, and Older Youth. It combines University of Scouting and Pow Wow into one epic training event. Join us for an action-packed day of learning, fun, and connecting with fellow Scouters!
L.E.A.D. offers over 150 classes across six colleges. Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Young Adult Programs, Outdoor Education, Continuing Education, and Technology.
Adults
L.E.A.D. 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.
Youth
Youth may attend BUT 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.
♦ The day is divided into six 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 and length.
♦With extended Midway hours and a 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!
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:
- BSA 2006: Den Chief Training
- CED5008: Trainer's EDGE
- YAP3002: Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews
- YAP3011: Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships
- 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 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!
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.
Recommended for all Venturing scouts, parents, and adult leaders. Learn about the Venturing program and how Venturers compliment the Scouts BSA program
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.
Recommended for all Exploring scouts, parents, and adult leaders. Learn about the Exploring program and how Explorers complement the Scouts BSA program.
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 includes courses that are useful for all programs including courses in marketing, communication, safety, STEM/Nova, CPR, and other certifications, and District/Council events.
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.
You have a scouting question? We have a team of knowledgeable, experienced scouters ready to get you answers, and provide guidance on best practices.
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!
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!
