Vintage Paths FAQ

Vintage paths are an opportunity to step into Toastmasters history with classic content. Two vintage paths were added to the Pathways product offering in 2026:

• Basic Training for Toastmasters features a 1956 version of Toastmasters content that was first introduced by founder Ralph C. Smedley in 1943. See how the essential building blocks of what you’re learning today have remained remarkably consistent for decades. Through this path, you’ll also continue to grow your skills in areas like speech construction, vocal variety, and gestures.
• The Communication Series: Entertaining Speaker + Storytelling includes the Competent Communication manual and projects from two advanced manuals: The Entertaining Speaker and Storytelling. Continue to grow in the fundamentals of public speaking and learn to captivate your audience with this content from the 1990s. While these manuals have not been in use since 2018, they were foundational in developing Pathways content and are still relevant for any developing speaker who wants to connect with their listeners.

Members can start working in a vintage path once they have completed Level 1 in any other path. As soon as a member has completed Level 1 and their Base Camp manager has approved the completion, vintage paths will be available for purchase on the Choose My Learning page. Members who completed Level 1 prior to the launch of vintage paths will already have the option to purchase this learning.

Vintage paths are a rare opportunity to explore classic Toastmasters content from years, or even decades, ago. Members get access to original projects, selfevaluations, and beloved content like the Competent Communication manual, Basic Training for Toastmasters, and select Advanced Communication manuals. It’s a one-of-a-kind learning experience that celebrates Toastmasters’ rich history, which is reflected in the vintage path price point of $60 USD.

Access your vintage path on Base Camp; it shows on the Learning Dashboard with all other paths. You can click through projects that display the vintage content with a digital version of its original look. Alternatively, you can download a PDF of each vintage manual or a PDF of each project and work from the PDFs or print the content. If you work from the vintage PDF(s), you must still mark projects and levels complete on Base Camp to receive badges, certificates, and DCP credit.

Yes. Vintage paths offer the same DCP credit as all other paths. Each vintage path is organized into the five levels you’re familiar with in other Pathways paths. Each level completion can help clubs achieve DCP goals.

Yes. Members working in Basic Training for Toastmasters earn the credential BT, and members working in The Communication Series: Entertaining Speaker + Storytelling earn the credential CES. These credentials are updated for each level in a path. For example, in Basic Training a member will progress through the following as they complete each level: BT1, BT2, BT3, BT4, BT5.

As in all other paths, members earn badges and certificates for each level they complete. Badges and certificates are awarded on Base Camp, and certificates can be downloaded and printed.

Vintage paths do not include speech logs. Members working in these paths will receive their evaluations via the evaluation resource PDF. This is a resource PDF that members can complete digitally or print and work through by hand.

Every project in each of the vintage paths includes its own evaluation resource. These evaluation resources are available on the Resources page on Base Camp, where they can be easily accessed by members who are not working in the vintage path. While these evaluation resources differ from other Pathways evaluation resources, they still provide the specific criteria the evaluator should keep in mind. Evaluators should be able to review these resources and provide an effective evaluation even if they are not working in the path themselves.

Yes. Because these paths are built on Base Camp, they are compatible with screen readers. The vintage path content has been digitized and can be accessed by assistive technology in the same way as the content from other Pathways paths. This includes both the path navigation and the content itself. If members using assistive technology would prefer to use a PDF, they will also be able to download either a full vintage manual or individual projects from Base Camp. Because the vintage content itself is not interactive, working in a PDF will mirror the experience of the digital path.

Can I get credit on Base Camp for working in materials I already own, like the Competent Communication manual?

Members access their vintage path on Base Camp the same way all paths are accessed after purchase. Like other paths, credit for level and path completions for vintage paths are submitted for approval in Base Camp. Therefore, members need to purchase a vintage path to receive credit for project, level, and path completions. Previously purchased materials are not eligible to receive credit for either individual accomplishments or for Distinguished Club Program credit.

If I earned a Competent Communicator award previously, can I apply that award to The Communication Series: Entertaining Speaker + Storytelling path?

You cannot apply previous accomplishments toward new paths. Just as completions from one path cannot be applied to a second purchased path, awards from the traditional education program cannot be counted for credit in vintage paths. This includes the Competent Communicator award.