Monmouth Council > Scouting Resources > Training > Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

Master the Outdoors. Lead with Confidence.

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) is an action-oriented, hands-on training course designed to give adult leaders the foundational outdoor skills needed to run a successful Scouts BSA program. Working alongside experienced instructors, participants experience the Scouting program firsthand by forming patrols and practicing the essential campcraft required for Scouts to advance from Scout to First Class rank.

Combined with Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training and Hazardous Weather Training, completing IOLS fully qualifies Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters as “Trained” for their adult leadership roles.

What You Will Learn

IOLS moves beyond classroom theory and puts you directly in the field. Designed to build outdoor confidence, the course introduces:

  • Campsite Selection & Setup: Tent pitch, campsite layout, personal gear preparation, and weather mitigation.

  • Outdoor Cooking & Sanitation: Meal planning, camp stoves, Dutch ovens, fire cooking, and camp hygiene.

  • Knots & Lashings: Essential knots, rope care, and building camp pioneering structures.

  • Navigation: Map reading, compass work, and basic orienteering techniques.

  • Fire Safety & Woodcraft: Safe handling of pocketknives, axes, and saws (Totin’ Chip skills), along with fire-building fundamentals.

  • Plant & Animal Identification: Recognizing local wildlife, poisonous plants, and environmental hazards.

  • Leave No Trace (LNT): Applying outdoor ethics to minimize environmental impact on troop outings.

Who Should Attend?

  • Scoutmasters & Assistant Scoutmasters (Required to earn the “Trained” emblem)

  • Troop Committee Members interested in supporting outdoor adventures

  • Webelos & Arrow of Light Leaders preparing youth for the transition into Scouts BSA

  • Any adult volunteer looking to gain confidence in outdoor skills and campcraft

Course Structure & Details

  • Format: Weekend overnight experience (typically Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon).

  • Setting: Outdoor camp environment where participants sleep in tents and cook meals in patrol settings.

  • Prerequisites: Completion of Hazardous Weather Training (available online via my.Scouting.org).

Upcoming Course Dates & Locations

IOLS training sessions are routinely offered throughout the year to accommodate volunteer schedules.

What to Bring

A detailed packing list is provided upon registration, but general gear requirements include:

  • Official BSA Uniform (Class A) and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing

  • Personal tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad

  • Pocketknife, compass, flashlight/headlamp, and mess kit

  • Current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B)