From Newbies to Ninjas…

Becoming a Scouting Jedi Through Training

July 30, 2023 Vol. I Issue 31

Hey everyone! It’s another fifth Sunday and you know what that means…

WILD CARD

Earlier this week my son, Ben, and I attended some training for the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. It was a basic course for what they call Leaders of Adults (LOA). The participants were mainly school administrators; those in charge of teachers who are the actual unit leaders.

A brief history of the BSP

For my American readers, here’s a little background on scouting in the Philippines…

In 1910, inspired by the Boy Scouts of America, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) was founded by American Governor-General William Howard Taft during the American colonial period.

Formally established on October 31, 1936, through Commonwealth Act No. 111, the BSP became the national scouting organization of the Philippines.

During World War II, scouting activities were disrupted by the Japanese occupation, but some scouts participated in underground resistance efforts.

After the war, the BSP experienced significant growth and became an important institution for youth development and community service.

In 1953, the BSP became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), gaining international recognition.

The organization expanded its reach to include both boys and girls, offering co-educational scouting programs.

The BSP focuses on character-building, leadership development, environmental conservation, and community service.

Over the years, the BSP has collaborated with various organizations for disaster response, community development, and youth empowerment.

Today, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines continues to shape young Filipinos into responsible and active members of society, guided by the principles of scouting.

The camp

The course was held at Roxas Park in the municipality of Garcia-Hernandez. It’s adjacent to Roxas Park Elementary School. The Principal of the school is a long-time Scouter and all-around great person. He hosts frequent scouting events for Bohol Council at this “unofficial” camp.

Ben and I arrived Sunday afternoon to set up our tent and hammocks. Don’t worry, future posts will be dedicated to that gear. We ate dinner with the Council staff and went to bed with the course beginning the next morning.

The training

The course was delivered over two and a half days in an outdoor setting. Each day started with a flag ceremony in Class “A” uniform then it was on to the modules…

The Basic Leaders of Adults training aims to prepare adult leaders to effectively support and guide the scouting movement. The course usually covers the following…and more!

Introduction to Scouting: An overview of the scouting movement, its history, values, and principles.
The Role of Adult Leaders: Understanding the responsibilities and expectations of being a scout leader and mentor to the youth.
Child Protection and Safety: Training on safeguarding children and ensuring a safe environment within the scouting program.
Scouting Program and Methods: An in-depth look at the different components of the scouting program and the methods used to deliver it effectively.
Personal Development: Focusing on the personal growth of adult leaders, helping them develop leadership skills, communication, and teamwork.
Scouting Skills: Learning and refining practical scouting skills that can be taught to youth members.
Patrol System: Understanding the patrol system and its role in fostering teamwork and leadership among scouts.
Outdoor Activities and Camping: Training on organizing and leading outdoor activities and camping trips.
Scout Advancement: Familiarization with the scout advancement process and how to assist scouts in their progress.
Community and Social Engagement: Exploring how scouting can contribute to the community through service projects and social initiatives.
Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution: Learning to manage group dynamics and resolve conflicts within the scouting group.
Scout Spirit and Values: Instilling the values of scouting in adult leaders and promoting the Scout Oath and Law.

These modules are designed to equip adult leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively mentor and guide youth and leaders through their scouting journey. I look forward to attending more courses in this continuum.

We had 17 Scouters in the LOA section divided into three groups. On day one each group came up with their own unique group yells, flags, and chants. We all had a great time and acted like young Scouts!

The second night we had a campfire program where each group performed skits, songs, and general tom-foolery. It was what Scouting is all about – camaraderie!

The trainers

To be a member of the training team you must be Woodbadge qualified. Woodbadge is Scouting’s advanced training. I attended Woodbadge training in 1995 at Camp Freedom, Germany as a Scoutmaster in Transatlantic Council. There are also other required courses such as the Course for Managers of Leaders (CML). Additionally, there is the Course for Managers of Trainers (CMT). I plan to attend these courses for further professional development.

The training team members delivering the course were mostly Scouters around my age (40s – 50s) although, there were a few younger members in their 30s. They were quite knowledgeable, for the most part, and very enthusiastic.

This is not a course critique, so I’m going to just say, overall, it was a good three days.

The pictures

Here’s a montage of pics from the course. Ben and I had a lot of fun and look forward to getting out camping again soon!