4 hour Scoutmaster Basic Training...
David Dutson (ddutson@CMCFLEX.COM)
Sun, 2 May 1999 23:03:30 -0600
Our district held a 4 hour format of SM basic last month. You sit and listen
to presentations for a Saturday morning, and walk out with a "Trained"
patch. The DE said it come's down from national that they want to
accommodate those leaders that cannot find the time to attend the full
length training program.
I've been on the training staff for our district for the last couple of
years, and have found the full program (we hold it over a 3 week period) to
be neigh onto inspirational in the effect it has on those that take part,
student and trainer.
I taught some of the sessions in the 4 hour format. But I found the short
format to be basically horrible. Those in attendance were mentally out the
door after about 3 hours, and the amount of material was severely trimmed
down to fit into the shortened time frame. No overnight camp. Nothing but a
Saturday morning hearing us lecture.
Knowing what we cover in the full training program, I felt embarrassed at
having taken part in the short format and letting the district pronounce
those students "trained". I know what inspiration they missed. Those leaders
will never be back to be retrained. As far as they are concerned, they've
been trained, and wouldn't need to do it again.
Any comments? I'm sure most, if not all our training staff will quit before
we will take part in any further "mistraining".
David Dutson
SM, Troop 324, SLC UT
