I have had several people ask me why they should go to Wood Badge, and this is the answer. This is also in response to to the recent news about the LDS Church dropping the Varsity & Venture programs as of 2018.
Some of you may be questioning whether you still need to attend Wood Badge because you are a Varsity or Venturing Leader in the LDS Church, but let me re-assure you that YES you will still benefit and will learn something that will help you whether you are involved in scouting or not. We do not teach you the Varsity & Venturing skills, as a matter of fact we do not teach you the Scouting or Cub Scouting skills, we teach you LEADERSHIP skills.
We will teach you:
• The proper way to utilize the patrol method and the leadership skills involved, and how to run an effective troop. (Can be tweaked to use in any youth or corporate setting as well.)
• How to become a better communicator and a better listener.
• How to manage conflict amongst others and amongst yourself.
• How team development works and how to help your team transition through the Stages of Team Development until they become a high performing team.
• How to be an effective leader and teacher as the team goes through those Stages of Team Development.
• How to plan an effective project.
• How to problem solve situations.
• How to involve youth that don’t fit into the mold and how to promote diversity.
• How to become a Servant Leader, Mentor and a Coach, and the differences of each.
• How to better yourself and others around you.
• We will also give you the greatest Leadership Secret of all time.
• The proper way to utilize the patrol method and the leadership skills involved, and how to run an effective troop. (Can be tweaked to use in any youth or corporate setting as well.)
• How to become a better communicator and a better listener.
• How to manage conflict amongst others and amongst yourself.
• How team development works and how to help your team transition through the Stages of Team Development until they become a high performing team.
• How to be an effective leader and teacher as the team goes through those Stages of Team Development.
• How to plan an effective project.
• How to problem solve situations.
• How to involve youth that don’t fit into the mold and how to promote diversity.
• How to become a Servant Leader, Mentor and a Coach, and the differences of each.
• How to better yourself and others around you.
• We will also give you the greatest Leadership Secret of all time.
The Wood Badge program works in every aspect of life; who can’t use these skills listed above in your everyday life at home, school, work, church and in scouting? Those that are LDS, these skills can still be used in whatever program the LDS Church Leadership eventually develops for the Varsity & Venturing age youth. I use these skills every day at work, at home with my children and with my husband, and in my church responsibilities, along with my scouting responsibilities. Whatever program the LDS Church Leadership develops for the youth 14 and older will need strong leaders that can support and implement the program, and we can help give you those skills here at Wood Badge.
I would encourage everyone to still attend Wood Badge with us in June and ask that you share this information with others and encourage them to attend as well; Young Women leaders would greatly benefit from this program as well, I used these skills for years with the YW program. I feel that the new program will take a lot of encouragement from the leaders because it will be new and not all the tweaks will be worked out when it is implemented, and will take some time to get through the problems associated with any new program. It will be easier to implement and work through things with the skills listed above.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you want to know how to sign up. It is a life altering program and has helped shape me into the person I am today!
Aimee Barry
Scout Master
W2-107-17-2
