The classes listed on this page are for the 2018 conference. The 2019 class list will be posted in April.
You are welcome to take any classes at PTC that interest you, but this page focuses on classes most useful to Venture Crew adults.
Suggested Schedules
New Crew Advisor or associate
- 106 – Venturing Advisor (& associate) Training (4 hours)
- 506 – Working with Youth Leaders - for Venturing Leaders †
- 606 – Venturing Roundtable †
New Crew Committee Chair or member
- 329 – LGBTQ Resources for Leaders †
- 424 – Winter Sports Safety †
- 506 – Working with Youth Leaders - for Venturing Leaders †
- 606 – Venturing Roundtable †
† These classes are not part of your basic training and you may wish to substitute a different class.
Class Descriptions
| 106 |  Venturing Advisor (& associate) Training — Learn about your role as a guide to young adults running a Crew. This is the position-specific training for all Crew Advisors and Associate Advisors. Appropriate for Crew Committee Members and parents as well. (4 hours, sessions 1 – 4) |
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Electives to Enhance Your Program
These electives are most useful for Venture Crew adults. A complete list of classes is available here.
| 110 |    Wilderness and Remote First Aid (Outdoors, plus Nov. 2-3 at Camp Pigott) — This 16-hour hands-on training is designed to prepare you to systematically deal with any accident or first aid emergency when you and your group are more than one hour away from Emergency Medical Services. The final part of this training will be Friday evening - Saturday, the first weekend in November at Camp Pigott. Youth must be at least 14 years old. Come prepared to spend most of the day outdoors in fall weather. Bring a day pack with the ten essentials and a blue foam pad. To complete the class and be certified you need current CPR certification. The cost of the Program & Training Conference with this class is $65 (youth and early signup discounts do not apply). (all day, sessions 1 – 6) |
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| 112 |  Map & Compass Essentials (Outdoors) — Learn some great tricks and techniques for teaching map and compass skills to your Scouts in your Pack or Troop. Through fun games and hands-on activities, they’ll master these essential skills. Please bring your own compass. Class will be held outdoors. (1 hour, session 1) |
| 114 |  Scoutbook for Cub Scout Packs — Scoutbook delivers a suite of easy-to-use Web-based tools that are helpful to both Scouts and unit leaders. It enables units to better communicate, update records, and manage activities. It can also be integrated with our membership system, simplifying the way our members can track their advancement throughout Scouting. As Scouters, unit leaders, and volunteers, you will now have mobile access to what’s happening across our organization and will be able track your Scouts’ progress in real time. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 115 | Understanding Teenage Boys' Learning & Behavior — Ages and stages of brain development, emotional maturity, best teaching styles, and effective models of instruction. Meant to help both adult Scouters and any youth understand what is behind boy behavior and to help them take that into consideration when planning the teaching and guidance of youth. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 116 | FUNdamentals of Training — This class introduces teaching techniques and skills that can be used when working with the youth in a unit or with adults. It is designed to help all Scouters, both youth and adult, to be more effective instructors. This is the first part of the Train-The-Trainer continuum (T3, or T-Cubed) in the Scouts of America. (3 hours, sessions 1 – 3) |
| 117 | Expanded! Patrol Cooking (Outdoors) — Tired of seeing Scouts breaking out the 'top ramen' for dinner? Come learn about menu ideas, cooking without utensils, and other ideas to enhance your unit's cooking skills. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 119 | Backpacking — Learn the basics of backpacking. Topics include gear, clothing, food, Outdoor Ethics (Leave No Trace), gender-specific tips, and other useful information. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 120 | Trail to Eagle — Join us for a lively presentation on how to navigate through the documents and requirements to become an Eagle Scout! (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 121 | Expanded! Backpacking & Camping for Women — This is an information sharing session on the ins and outs of backpacking and camping for women. All ages & experience levels are welcome. Learn from experienced female backpackers. The more ideas, the better. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 122 | Dutch Oven Cooking Basics (Outdoors) — Learn the basics required to cook with a Dutch Oven. Get recipes and resources and even sample some cooking. Class will be held outdoors. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 123 | Cooking & Menus in the Back & Frontcountry — Create balanced menus and inexpensive backcountry meals. Learn to dehydrate food, determine quantities, repackage, store, and prepare. Sample menus will be presented for weekend and week-long outings. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 124 | New! Bicycle Touring, Local to International — Learn how to help your Scouts plan, prepare, and lead a high adventure bicycle tour. We’ll cover route planning, gear, preparation, and logistics. Think Olympic Peninsula to Switzerland. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 125 | First Aid I - Making First Aid REAL — Let's face it, First Aid merit badge training mostly focuses on simple skills like how to splint an arm or put on moleskin. Come learn techniques you can use to take your Scouts to a new level by actually teaching them how to handle emergencies. Leave with an outline, scenario descriptions, and supporting materials you can use to plan and conduct a First Aid 'disaster training' that will become your Scouts' favorite event. Attendees are encouraged to take 225 (Bloody First Aid Disasters Your Scouts will Love). (1 hour, session 1) |
| 127 | Project Management Training (for Venturing YOUTH) — Learn how to plan and safely execute a project that achieves your objectives and gets the job done on time and in budget. This is a required class for the Pathfinder Award. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 129 | Expanded! Serving Scouts with Special Needs — This course will provide Commissioners and unit leaders with tips and ideas that promote inclusion of Scouts with disabilities, medical conditions, and aggressive or inattentive behaviors. Learn techniques on how to involve and manage youth to get better cooperation for smooth-running meetings. (2 hours, sessions 1 – 2) |
| 130 | Fox Hunt (Jamboree on the Air) — Use radio location techniques to find a hidden transmitter, aka “the fox.” These are the same techniques used by search and rescue. (1 hour, session 1) |
| 131 | Radio Room (Jamboree on the Air, sign up for any session) — Come visit the JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) Radio Room. There will be several activities you can sample during the hour. (1 hour, session 1) |
| 225 | First Aid II - Bloody Disasters Your Scouts Will Love — Want to get your Scouts excited about learning how to handle First Aid Emergencies? Come learn how to use simulated accident scenarios to liven up your First Aid disaster weekend training by using moulage (makeup) techniques to simulate bloody wounds, broken bones, hypothermia, bee stings and more. We'll send you home with handouts and instructions that you can put to use in your Troop. Your Scouts will LOVE IT. Attendees are encourage to take 125 (Making First Aid REAL). (1 hour, session 2) |
| 230 | Ham Radio and Scouting (Jamboree on the Air, take EITHER 230 or 530) — Ham radio has been a part of Scouting since 1918 and the Wireless merit badge. Learn about how ham radio is more important today than ever, how to incorporate radio into your unit, Morse code and radio operator insignia, the largest Scouting event in the world (Jamboree on the Air), and merit badge opportunities. (1 hour, session 2) |
| 231 | Radio Room (Jamboree on the Air, sign up for any hour) — REPEAT of Class 131. Come visit the JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) Radio Room. There will be several activities you can sample during the hour. (1 hour, session 2) |
| 307 | Starting a New Crew — Curious about Venturing – the Scouting program for youth ages 14-20? Would you like to learn how easy it is to start a Venturing Crew? Maybe you have already started a Crew and need some pointers on what does and what doesn't work? Come check out this class and learn about Venturing - the Scouting program that opens the doors of limitless possibilities to all of our youth over 14 years old. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 315 | New! Scouting for LDS Families, 2020 and Beyond — This class will focus on starting LDS cultural units (units built of LDS families). We will share the pattern of Pack 501 in Foothills, which is a LDS cultural Pack that has been doing Tiger and Lions for LDS families. It will help LDS families understand why a LDS cultural unit may be needed, how the traditional program will be different from what they are doing in their ward, what the council is doing to support them, and a recommended timeline to help transition Cub Scouts and Scouts. We will also cover the option of starting Troops and dens for LDS girls. (2 hours, sessions 3 – 4) |
| 319 | Ultra Light Backpacking — Discussion will include types of gear, places to find ultra-light gear, costs, and age appropriateness. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 321 | Introduction to Shooting Sports — Learn about rifle, shotgun, muzzleloading, archery, and pistol shooting opportunities at the unit, district, and council levels, as well as certification and training opportunities for volunteers. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 322 | Learn About Sea Scouting (includes a ride on a Ship, later) — This valuable session provides an overview of the Sea Scouting program; how it operates and where to find the active ships, and learn about fun and challenging activities your unit can do with ships. Participants will have the opportunity to visit a Sea Scout Ship at a later date. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 324 | New! Introduction to International Scouting — For almost as long as there has been Scouting, it has been international. Learn about some of the opportunities International Scouting offers our own Scouts. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 327 | New! Running a Successful Crew Meeting (for Venturing YOUTH) — Learn about balancing business with fun at your meetings, and get ideas for opening ceremonies and activities. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 328 | New! Conflict Management (for Venturing YOUTH) — Even the most effective communicators experience conflict. This class will examine some common pitfalls, and practice ways to avoid them. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 329 | LGBTQ Resources for Leaders — Learn about resources available to Scout Leaders serving LGTBQ youth and their families. Includes a discussion of recent BSA policy changes. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 330 | Electronic Kit Building (Jamboree on the Air) — Come learn a bit about electronics and build a kit. This is not the electronics merit badge. We cover it a different day. See www.woodinvilleARESgroup.org for more info. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 331 | Radio Room (Jamboree on the Air, sign up for any session) — REPEAT of Class 131. Come visit the JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) Radio Room. There will be several activities you can sample during the hour. (1 hour, session 3) |
| 403 | Chartered Organization Leaders & Representatives Training — This class helps chartered organization leaders (Institution Heads) and chartered organization representatives explore ways to make their Scouting programs more effective. It explains the chartered organization concept and allows participants to provide ideas for integrating Scouting with existing youth programs. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 412 | Cyber Chip for all Ages — Our young Scouts have never known life without computers or the Internet, so it is critical that they know how to safely navigate the Web. The Cyber Chip program builds on BSA's commitment to youth protection. Learn how your unit can get the most out of this program to keep kids safe. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 417 | New! Mountaineering — Learn about Scout Mountaineering - climbing the Cascade Volcanoes. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 419 | Integrating STEM into Scouting Programs — Our area is a hotbed of Science and Engineering. Learn techniques to integrate STEM into your program to take advantage of local resource and attract new youth. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 421 | High Adventure Planning — Do you want to get your Troop or Crew “High-Adventure Ready”? This class will cover what High Adventure programming entails and offer examples of Troop sponsored activities and National High Adventure camp opportunities. (2 hours, sessions 4 – 5) |
| 422 | Advanced Dutch Oven Cooking (Outdoors) — You’ve mastered chili and cornbread. Your chocolate cake with cherries is cooked, not burned. If you’re ready for more complex recipes, this is the class for you. Class will be held outdoors. (2 hours, sessions 4 – 5) |
| 423 | Outdoor Ethics Orientation — Qualifies participants to facilitate outdoor ethics activities required for their Scouts and Scouters to earn the Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award. Topics include the Outdoor Code, principles of Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly!, the Land Ethic, and the Outdoor Ethics Awareness and Action Awards program. (2 hours, sessions 4 – 5) |
| 424 | Winter Sports Safety — Learn the basics of avalanche safety, how to spot and avoid terrain hazards, and what to do when wild weather hits. Will also touch on the proper use of equipment and clothing. Great for everyone from experienced winter sports enthusiasts to beginners. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 427 | Coaching and Mentoring (for Venturing YOUTH) — Improve your understanding of how to mentor other members of the crew and appreciate the role mentoring plays in personal growth and leadership for both the mentee and mentor. This course must be completed before serving as a peer-mentor, and is a required for the Summit Award. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 430 | Morse Code Interpreter Strip (Jamboree on the Air) — Do you know that there is a BSA Interpreter Strip for morse code? Come learn a bit about morse code, send your name and earn a certificate, or come prepared to pass a 5 WPM (words per minute) test to earn your interpreter strip. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 431 | Radio Room (Jamboree on the Air, sign up for any session) — REPEAT of Class 131. Come visit the JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) Radio Room. There will be several activities you can sample during the hour. (1 hour, session 4) |
| 506 | New! Working with Youth Leaders - for Venturing Leaders — It can be hard to step back as an adult leader and allow the chaos often associated with Youth Leadership. This class examines how to identify your Youth Leaders' strengths so that you can help them reach their full potential. This class will examine the difference between coaching and mentoring, and will discuss effective ways to communicate with teens (1 hour, session 5) |
| 515 | New! What About Teenage GIRLS? — During the teen years girls mature faster than boys, but what does that mean in a Scout unit? We’ll try to help both adult Scouters and any youth understand what is behind girl behavior and to help them take that into consideration when planning the teaching and guidance of youth, in Cub Packs or Scouts BSA Troops. (1 hour, session 5) |
| 517 | Scoutbook for Troops — Scoutbook delivers a suite of easy-to-use Web-based tools that are helpful to both Scouts and unit leaders. It enables units to better communicate, update records, and manage activities. It can also be integrated with our membership system, simplifying the way our members can track their advancement throughout Scouting. As Scouters, unit leaders, and volunteers, you will now have mobile access to what’s happening across our organization and will be able track your Scouts’ progress in real time. (2 hours, sessions 5 – 6) |
| 519 | Hiking — Hiking is an activity which can be enjoyed by all levels of the Scouting program. Discussion will include safety, gear, trip planning, and all the stuff you need to get your unit hiking. (1 hour, session 5) |
| 526 | New! Public Speaking (for Venturing YOUTH) — Improve your public speaking skills: 1 hour of tips and tricks, followed by 1 hour of practice. (2 hours, sessions 5 – 6) |
| 527 | New! Working with Adult Leaders (or Let Me Get Your Coffee!) (for Venturing YOUTH) — Ever wonder why Adults are so demanding? This class will let you see inside their heads, and help you to understand why they act the way they do. This 'tongue in cheek' class will look at the different ways youth and adults communicate, and how that can lead to misunderstandings or frustration. We will consider the generational characteristics of each group to see how we can leverage those to make effective leadership teams. (1 hour, session 5) |
| 530 | Ham Radio and Scouting (Jamboree on the Air, take EITHER 230 or 530) — REPEAT of Class 230. Ham radio has been a part of Scouting since 1918 and the Wireless merit badge. Learn about how ham radio is more important today than ever, how to incorporate radio into your unit, Morse code and radio operator insignia, the largest Scouting event in the world (Jamboree on the Air), and merit badge opportunities. (1 hour, session 5) |
| 531 | Radio Room (Jamboree on the Air, sign up for any session) — REPEAT of Class 131. Come visit the JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) Radio Room. There will be several activities you can sample during the hour. (1 hour, session 5) |
| 540 | Updated! Youth Protection Training — The newest edition of the Scouts of America Youth Protection Training. This single course satisfies the youth protection requirement for all programs: Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring. (2 hours, sessions 5 – 6) |
| 606 | New! Venturing Roundtable — Come and meet with other Venturing Leaders from all over Council for this facilitated discussion. Network, get new ideas, brainstorm solutions to challenges and discuss best practice. Participants will have a chance to submit topics for discussion prior to class. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 607 |  The Recharter Process — This class will cover the three major steps in Rechartering your unit including: 1) everything you need to do to Be Prepared for recharter, 2) using the Internet Recharter application, and 3) collecting all the applications, training certificates, approval signatures, and fees necessary to submit your recharter on time. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 616 | Campfire Skits & Songs — Take advantage of everyone's acting and singing ability. Identify resources to liven up any campfire or other Scouting occasion using showmanship, skits, stunts, songs, and stories. Learn how simple props and costumes enhance performances. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 618 | Why NYLT? Youth Run Units! — A panel of our outstanding NYLT youth leaders will field questions and give an overview of what occurs at NYLT and the benefits of sending your current and future unit leadership teams. And if you really want to ask adults questions, adult NYLT staff will be available as well. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 620 | Decorative Knots — Learn to tie bracelets, key chains, and other useful items out of parachute cord. Project ideas for patrols or crews on outings. Survival bracelets tied on the trail? A keychain tied around a pebble? A unique woggle for the high adventure trip? Suitable for older Scouts. $3 charge for a stainless steel buckle for survival bracelet (optional). (1 hour, session 6) |
| 622 | Scouting Heritage — Get an overview of the origins and history of the Scouting movement; the development of its ideals, methods, and age appropriate programs. Followed by a discussion of ways to continue our Scouting heritage by preserving the living history of local Scouting, your unit, and its individual members. Appropriate for leaders in all programs. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 623 | Cooking and Menus for Special Dietary Needs — Learn how to prepare delicious meals the entire group can enjoy. This course will define a variety of special diets and food allergies, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. We will cover safety precautions for food allergies, as well as simple substitutions. Sample menus will be presented for campouts and backpacking. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 624 | Where to Go Camping — Gain some suggestions of where to hike/camp based on group ability. Instructor will cover car camping, short backpacking trips, long term trips, bike trips, canoe trips, etc. This is an audience participation event, so come with details of your favorite outings. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 625 | Unit Tools at my.Scouting.org — This class will cover the Unit Tools at my.Scouting.org, including membership, announcement, calendar, and training tools. If we have time we will work with you individually, so please bring your My.Scouting.org login and password. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 627 | New! What is VOA? — VOA (Venturing Officers Association): You've heard about VOA, but what does it do? Come meet the officers for a fun, informative insight. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 629 | Fireside Chat with Council — This is a Question-and-Answer session with our Council Key 3: Council Executive, Council President, and Council Commissioner, plus other Council leaders. (1 hour, session 6) |
| 631 | Radio Room (Jamboree on the Air, sign up for any session) — REPEAT of Class 131. Come visit the JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) Radio Room. There will be several activities you can sample during the hour. (1 hour, session 6) |