Woodbadge Leadership Training-by Jeff

Last Sunday our family took a short road trip to Cannon Falls to the Phillipo Scout Camp. I and 15 other scout leaders had completed an advanced leader training course called Wood Badge. The Wood Badge course dates back to 1911. More information on this course can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_Badge.

I had 18 months to complete 5 objectives or “tickets” I created. They ranged from creating manuals for new parents and new leaders to creating a conservation themed program that was implemented over several pack meetings. I and 3 of the other leaders in his Wood Badge patrol completed our individual objectives in about 12 months and were recognized for completing the course in a ceremony held at Phillipo and were awarded our Wood Badge.

Many of the leaders who were being honored at the ceremony had kids in the scouting program who were in attendance. The kids were asked to come up front and stand by their dad or mom so Ian came up and stood with me. The course and the tickets I designed and implemented were not easy, but I feel good about what I accomplished and I’d like to think a lot of scouts will benefit from what I did.

I’m glad that Jill, Ian & rowan could be there. Although Rowan of course did not understand what was going on, he was amazed by all the fun shiny insignia patches that people were wearing.