Scouting Training Opportunities - 2008/2009
A common phrase used throughout scouting is "Every boy deserves a trained leader." In 1919, Mr. de Bois Maclaren gave to Lord Baden-Powell and the Boy Scout organization in England an estate called Gilwell Park. Lord Baden-Powell instituted a Training School for Scoutmasters at Gilwell. Since that first training school at Gilwell, Scout leaders the world over have participated in the training Lord Baden-Powell started at Gilwell. Over time, the training has evolved to meet the demands of the day, but the premise remains the same - "Every boy deserves a trained leader."
Basic Training for Scout Leaders
Many dads and men of our current troop leadership have been through much of the training listed in this email. If you have not had scout leader training, this is your invitation. The initial phase of training has several steps. These steps are:
1. Fast Start Training - Fast Start training is the first step for any new volunteer and is to be delivered immediately after a new leader registers and before he or she meets with any youth member.
2. Leader Specific Skills - For Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters, a three part session concentrating on troop operation and can be completed in one full day.
3. Outdoor Leadership Skills - Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting program, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will provide leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start a program right.
Fast Start Training is to be taken online. You can go to http://olc.scouting.org and select "Boy Scout Leader Fast Start". You will need your member number, which is on your membership card, to register to take the online course. This is your first step. (NOTE: If you do not have a membership card - SIGN UP - and get one.)
The Leader Specific Skills is offered two times a year. The dates are 10/11/2008 and 3/28/2009. There will be registration information available soon.
Outdoor Leadership Skills (OLS) is also offered two times a year. It's a 3 day weekend in the fall and in the spring. The dates are 11/21-23/2008 and 04/17-19/2009. OLS is to be taken after Leader Specific Training.
Upon completion of OLS you will be given a training patch for your uniform. The patch is a way of telling others you cared enough to give the boys a trained leader. It's important.
Wood Badge
WOOD BADGE is the ultimate training course for all Scouters. Every Scouter should seek an invitation to WOOD BADGE after completing basic training in their position. (For leaders in Troop 96, that would be after your OLS class) Lord Robert-Baden Powell conducted the first WOOD BADGE course in 1919 at Gilwell Park. The WOOD BADGE course is taught world-wide in every scouting organization. All those serious about leading boys in scouting should take WOOD BADGE.
WOOD BADGE is six days of practical training - usually conducted over two weekends. During this time you will learn what it's like to be a member of a Cub Scout Pack, a Boy Scout Troop, and a Venturing Crew. Following the six days, during the 18-month application phase, you use what you have learned to improve yourself and scouting.
On passing the application phase, you will receive the WOOD BADGE award which is two wooden beads on a leather thong. You'll also receive a "woggle" & a Gilwell neckerchief.
The dates for the upcoming Wood Badge course are:
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Session 1: Feb 26-28, 2009 |
Camp Comer |
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Session 2: Mar 26-28, 2009 |
Camp Comer |
The application for the next Wood Badge course is attached to this email.
Important Online Training
Contained within the Boy Scout of America Online Learning Center is a collection of courses all leaders should take. These include:
Hazardous Weather
Safe Swim Defense
Safety Afloat
Youth Protection Training
All the above courses are offered on the website 24x7, all year long. These courses are important, as all adult leaders MUST be trained in several of these to conduct campouts, such as Hazardous Weather and Youth Protection Training. There are others in which a portion of the adults in the troop must have been trained, such as Safety Afloat when you are going boating. Bottom Line: The best solution for Troop 96 is for all adult leaders to get trained.
University of Scouting
An optional training opportunity is the University of Scouting. Offered once a year for one day only, the University of Scouting offers over 130 different courses on the widest variety of topics. You can pick up training on leadership, fire starting, Dutch-oven cooking, backpacking and wilderness first aid just to name a few. If you want to learn more, the University of Scouting is the place to do it. This year, the University of Scouting will be held at Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama. The date is 3/7/2009. Course registration will begin on October 1, 2008.