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Which Training Course Should I Choose? This question appears to be difficult, but does not need to be. Simply choose a course which will fit your schedule of available time, then select the course with the greatest probability of changing (improving) yourself for the very reasons you were motivated to take the training. Perhaps you just want to be more effective in your Scouting position of leading or supporting others. Is the extra time in OKAMA really worth it? This question appears to be more difficult than the first question, but, again, it is quire simple. OKAMA recruits a top-level Staff of dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled Scouters from different Districts. The Staff prepares through a significant and comprehensive Staff Development process for months prior to the Course. OKAMA follows the philosophy and training guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America: ”Adults should train adults and youth should train youth.“ OKAMA fulfills and exceeds the National training requirements for ”Scoutmastership Fundamentals“ and the prerequisite for WoodBadge (Scouting’s advanced training). A primary focus of OKAMA is to provide many more opportunities than exist in the basic ”Scoutmastership Fundamentals“ course for learning, living, and applying the Leadership and Scouting Skills which are taught in ”Scoutmastership Fundamentals People, unfamiliar with the Leadership Skill of Effective Teaching and how it is applied throughout the OKAMA Enhanced Course, refer to the fun experiences (which provide the ”Application“ phase of Effective Teaching for Leadership and Scoutcraft Skills) as being ”fluff and fancy stuff.“ Such a position or understanding completely misses the most significant difference and advantage of the OKAMA Course. It is in the ”fluff and fancy stuff“ where participants have the opportunity to apply (application phase of Effective Teaching) the Leadership and Scoutcraft Skills. It is during these ”hands-on“ exercises and projects that people learn and understand more and better. Hands-on/doing compared to lecture/listening is how human beings learn best. The more hands-on application, the more likely our attitudes and behavior will change in the desired direction. To paraphrase Peter Drucker, ”The product of an effective Scouting Program is ‘changed lives’.“ The product of the Boy Scouts of America’s Aims & Methods is ”changed lives“. The product of Scouter Training is ”changed lives“. The product of the OKAMA Training Course is ”changed lives“. ”When you look at children who come out of terrible environments and do well, you find that someone in their lives somehow instilled in them the attitude that they aren’t powerless, that they can do something.“ --Bruce Perry, Neuropsychiatrist University of Chicago Is it possible for a Leader to be effective without adequate and appropriate training? Would a caring parent consider sending a child off to an untrained and/or uncertified teacher? How can we even consider such a thing in Scouting? If not trained, let’s vow to become ‘Trained’. If ‘Trained’, help identify those adults in your Troop not ‘Trained’ and get several to go through training together. The more ‘Trained’ adults, the easier and better the program. |
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Does Your SPL Do Your PLC? - If you are in the Boy Scout Program and you aren't sure what that means or if you answer negatively. . . maybe it's time for Okama training. - If you are tired of running meetings, planning campouts, finding drivers, buying food, then. . . it is definitely time for Okama training. - If you aren't aware of what a Patrol Leader's Council is and that Lord Baden-Powell believed the Patrol Method to be the only way to run a Troop. . . it is definely time to sign up for Okama training. OKAMA is one of two Scout Leader Enhanced Basic Training courses within the Simon Kenton Council, the other being Blackfoot. Some of the things you will learn during the course are: - the Aims & Methods of Scouting. - how a Patrol functions. - how Patrols work together to form a Troop. - adult job descriptions and how adults fill specific positions. - the latest guidelines, regulations, programs and support materials from the BSA - the resources to help you to produce the best possible program. And you will learn more . . . OKAMA is an "Enhanced" training Course and, according to Roget, "Enhanced" means "deepened". What is deeper about this program? - You will have more time to practice the leadership and Scoutcraft skills being taught so you can see how they work from a Scout's point of view. - You will be part of a Patrol with other adult Scouters so you can learn together and can learn from each Patrol Member's past successes and failures. - You will have a first hand opportunity to see and be part of Patrol activities and competitions, advancement, recognition and graduation ceremonies, and some campfires you may never forget. - You will have the opportunity to join a network of expert and experienced Scouters, one of whom may be the just resource you have always sought. All of this and more -- that is what OKAMA offers you. The investment for this high quality training course is just 3 Saturdays and 1 full weekend of time, $50.00, and a willingness to be an eager Scout (i.e. 12-year-old boy) for a time. The return on your investment will be better understanding of the Scouting program and a better program for your Scouts. What more could you want? This really is a "best buy."
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