BALOO Training
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation – Learn the skills to lead amazing Cub Scout camping adventures!
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
This overnight training introduces parents and leaders to the skills needed to plan and conduct outdoor Pack activities, particularly camping. Ask a youth why they want to be a Cub Scout, and nine times out of ten they'll answer, "to go camping!"
Cub Scouting has designed BALOO training so youth, along with their parents or another adult, can participate in a successful overnight camping experience.
Participants who complete this training will:
- Understand the focus of the Cub Scout level of the BSA outdoor program.
- Gain the skills needed to plan and carry out a successful Cub Scout-level overnight activity.
- Learn more about the resources available from the BSA for carrying out this activity.
Important Information
All Packs are required to have at least one BALOO-trained adult on every Cub Scout den or pack overnight outdoor event — including Pack Camping and Webelos Den overnighters.
You will need to bring your own personal and sleeping gear. Prepare for any type of weather as you will be outdoors much of the time. Please download the attached gear list when you register.
- Online Component – complete at My.Scouting.org before the practical course.
- Practical Component – the hands-on, overnight course listed below.
The online portion is available in the BSA Learning Center by logging into My.Scouting.org and adding it to your Learning Plan from the Course Catalog.
2026 BALOO Training Schedule
| Date | Location | Course Director | Cost | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 14–15, 2026 | John W. Nichols Scout Ranch (JNSR) | Tyler Goodpasture | $40 | Opens 01/02/26 – Closes 03/08/26 |
| May 2–3, 2026 | Camp George Thomas (CGT) | Rebecca Smith | $40 | Opens 01/02/26 – Closes 04/26/26 |
| September 12–13, 2026 | Will Rogers Scout Reservation (WRSR) | David Sharp | $40 | Opens 01/02/26 – Closes 09/06/26 |
| October 3–4, 2026 | John W. Nichols Scout Ranch (JNSR) | Barry Hayes | $40 | Opens 01/02/26 – Closes 09/27/26 |
Ready to Get BALOO Trained?
Sign up for one of our upcoming training sessions and gain the skills to lead amazing outdoor adventures for your Cub Scouts!
Register for BALOO