Re: Training Requirements

At 05:23 PM 5/4/98 -0400, Dale Karweik wrote:
>The largest changes I have seen in the recent course syllabi include an
>increasing dependence on national produced video tapes and a removal of the
>fun parts of the sessions, especially the closing pack meeting. This has
>produced less interactions between participants and staff and a loss of the
>demonstration and participation in Scouting fun. Unfortunately, I have
>observed a corresponding change in the Pack meetings I visit with the OA
>dance group and in the feedback I have read for the Cub Roundtable.
>

Mmmmm. Trying to put myself in National's shoes, I think they want to make
sure certain minimum items are covered and help those whose training
program is not as advanced. However, I think they did the equivalent of
putting 20 executives in a room and asking them to come up with a Company
Vision. You get a lot of stuff, but not much coherent vision.

I believe the act is noble and a letter to nationals as to what can be cut
out or improved would probably be well received. What I see in my district
(and we have some very good trainers) is an emphasis on all the "paperwork
should do and should not do's" and a big de-emphasis on how to run your
Pack or Den. I had a lot of complaints from our den leaders, since this
guideline came out, who say they learned a ton of stuff, but nothing they
can use to run their den. They go over a ton of material and those being
trained, after being overwhelmed by the volume of rules, ask themselves
"Okay, now what. I still don't know what to do with those kids!"

As Cubmaster, I try to stay on top of that and fill in the gaps. Sometimes
it is just a matter of sitting down with the program helps, but sometimes
it is more of a boy control or parent control concern. Sometimes it is a
logistical issue, and sometimes it is just a confidence thing. Training
used to walk them through a den meeting .... etc., just like a recent post
said. That has all been tabled in favor of a ton of rules -- all which are
important, but don't help get a den off the ground. They do not consider
the Fast Start Video to be much help. Personal touches are needed.
Questions need to be answered. District Supplemental training (Pow-Wow's)
are helpful, but come too late for some.

I believe the concept of standardizing is good, but I think they went
overboard and unintentionally omitted what is really important.

Yours in Scouting,
Craig McGarrah
Cubmaster -- Pack 132, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
mcgarrah@mindspring.com

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