Over the past few years the emphasis on training has grown
significantly. It used to be that having a breathing adult filling a necessary
role outweighed the importance of having that adult trained. If a leader did
not want to bother getting the training, which often happens, nothing serious
was done about it. In our litigious world, this is a dangerous direction to
follow.
We tend to change things only when something serious
happens ...a costly incident that would likely have been prevented if the
change had come sooner. We in Scouting are not much different. Well, we are, a
little. We’re not trend setters, but we do run a program that is probably
safer for kids than most. And, not without fun and adventure!
To be safer and better at our jobs, basic training - learning
the fundamentals - is a must. As a group of amateur adults responsible for
someone else’s kids, the basic training provided by BSA has made us pretty
adept at keeping them safe while delivering an exciting program full of
challenge and interest. That’s the good news.
The better
news is that we also have an outstanding offering of supplemental training –
that’s the stuff we learn along the way that makes Scouting interesting and our
jobs a lot more fun. Two of these courses go well beyond the essentials of
Scouting in that they provide opportunities to learn skills and techniques that
we can use in our dealings in the family, church, community, and work place.
One for youth and one for adults, we know them as NYLT and Wood Badge.
NYLT is a one week experience that happens at PBSR every
June. It is a leadership program for Scouting youth up to age 18. (Next year
changes are expected that will open the program to Venturing youth). The
purpose is to teach our youth the basics of being effective leaders. It is a
hands-on course with plenty of opportunity to put what is learned into practice.
Wood Badge is a similar course aimed at the adult
participant. Also a week long (or two weekends), the program examines the
problems of forming and getting the most out of teams, how to educate
individuals and groups, how to resolve conflicts in ways that permit
everyone to leave happy, and how to really listen and communicate. This course
takes place at Camp Rotary at the end of August this year.
Both of these courses teach valuable skills that are essential in all of the
directions that life takes us. They contain the essence of professional courses
costing thousands, and each is available for the cost of the materials and a
week at camp.
If you are serious about being good at what you
do, whatever it is, consider NYLT or Wood Badge. The time and money invested
are insignificant compared to the benefits. Two other things are guaranteed;
you will work hard, and you will have fun!
There is more
information about and applications for these courses at
www.lhacbsa.org. Scholarships are available.