sharley

I completed Wood Badge in 1991 (NE VI-18). From Wood Badge, partially as a result of immersion in role playing a Scout and partially from the counsellors, I developed a passion for scout led program (Scouting is a program for boys run by boys!!)that became my guiding light throughout my tenure as Scoutmaster and later as an Assistant District Commissioner. Last year I retired and moved to a new area. At a Wood Badge gathering earlier this year I talked with a former course director about the high number of WB trained Scout Masters I had encountered who seemed intent on being the best SPL ever, and he told me the emphasis on boy led program was gone from the new and improved course. I admit it doesn't make much sense to emphasize Scout led program whe a large proportion of the participants are from program elements where this is not germane. It's inmaterial to me whether the course is based on the elements of leadership or Covey's seven habits, the important idea to grasp is that Scout Masters are in the leadership mentoring business more so than leadership itself. For Wood Badge to continue to be a valuable, successful program this concept needs to be put back in.