Take Wood Badge Training Some Place Other Than My Council???

[Billiken]

I need some advice from my fellow Scouters on this forum.

I had planned to start Wood Badge, through the Cleveland Council, in the fall of 2008. It turns out that the council didn't get enough sign-ups for the fall 2007 class so they moved both the fall 2007 and fall 2008 classes to the spring of 2008.

(I did not sign up for the fall 2007 class as I'm "swamped" at work and as the new SM of the oldest troop in my district.)

Here's my problem:

I can not attend the second 2008 WB weekend. I have a speaking commitment at a conference in Savannah, GA for that weekend in May. The conference is hosted by one of my biggest clients.
There's NO WAY (other than death or hospitalization) that I can miss this conference.

Here's my question:

If I wait for the next Cleveland Council WB class it will delay my WB training to the fall of 2009.
Should I look at other, nearby councils' WB class offerings????

Thanks

[wagionvigil]

Sure why not? I like doing things outside my council except going to camp You get a different twist on things..

[Chief J]

Go for it. I agree getting the chance to see what other folks do is refreshing.

Chief J

[scoutaholic]

Can't think of a reason why you shouldn't check into courses outside your council.

My WB Patrol had 4 members from our council, one from the council north of us, and one from the council to the south. The only problem with that arrangement is that it makes attending completion ceremonies farther away.

The course should be more-or-less the same no matter where you attend. The sillibus is standardized and distributed through national supply (although it is restricted and you have to have a good reason to buy it).

I would not suggest that you wait until 2009 if you are ready to attend sooner. Find a course being taught at a time you can attend. My council teaches it 10 times each year (even one in spanish), and welcomes participants from other councils (although Salt Lake is probably a long ways for you).

[PaulSWolf]

I need some advice from my fellow Scouters on this forum.

If I wait for the next Cleveland Council WB class it will delay my WB training to the fall of 2009.
Should I look at other, nearby councils' WB class offerings????

Thanks

I took my Woodbadge training in old Firelands Council at Firelands Camp. Never regreted it.

[mt_goodrich]

I don't see why not. As someone had mentioned, logistics to meet up with your patrol between the first week and the second weekend might be hard.

Wood Badge in my council doesn't seem to have too much of a shortage of courses. They run three each year. One in the Spring, a weeklong (six days) in the summer and one in the Fall.

[WVBeaver05]

I'm with the others here - yes! I became a strong supporter of going outside your "normal" group for training (and potentially other events) when I needed to complete my SM training before WB and did it in an adjacent district. Just meeting different folks who have different experiences (sort of like participating in this forum) was beneficial.

As others have mentioned, the courses are all based on the same materials. Any differences are in the presentation rather than the content. In my WB course there were attendees and Staff from 2 adjacent Councils.

Having lead several training sessions, I know that we always welcome people from other Districts and would welcome them from other Councils as well. Also, from the same perspective, I understand that there are scheduling issues that cause it to make more sense to attend out of your area. We understand that and I suspect that your Council does too.

So, go for it!!

YiS

[WVBeaver05]

If you are interested in a 2008 course closer than some of the ones that others have mentioned, Buckskin Council in WV will hold WB in July/August. e-mail me if you want more detailed info.

It isn't exactly right next door for you, but you wouldn't be that much farther away than some of our in council attendees. There will be a need to work with your patrol between weekends, but the patrol that I was in was separated by probably 4 hours drive time between the farthest members. We took care of what we needed by e-mail (lots of it) and phone calls.

The recognition ceromony was kind of centally located with no one more than about 2.5 hours away. But, we all completed our tickets, met at the dinner, and got our beads together. (FWIW - the only Patrol from our course to do so!!) And you don't have to get you beads at a central ceremony. I know that details can be worked out to get them presented where it makes the most sense for the attendees.

YiS

[ccjj]

I just found out that a nearby council is holding a 2 weekend Wood Badge course in May. The course will run from Thursday to Saturday. I just sent for an application, and put in for the time off work. I have been thinking about attending for a several years, but the few times the council I am in has had a course, it hasn't worked for my schedule. Then, the one time it did, the course was cancelled.
I am all for attending out of council events. The opportunity to meet new people, and get a new perspective on things is great!

ccjj

[riverwalk]

Yeah, we do all other trainings outside Council, so why not?

[Billiken]

Did a little research (thank heavens for the Internet).

Two of three nearby councils have WB training scheduled for weekends in August and September of 2008 (at a time when it's really slow at work).

Looks like I'll start my ticket in 2008 after all.

THANKS for all the advice/comments.

[mt_goodrich]

Excellent!

I'm working my Ticket right now. I will have three items completed by the end of February. I hope to have all my Ticket items completed by August 2008, if not sooner.

Wood Badge has given me a different perspective on my role as a Scout leader and volunteer and I have been re-energized.

On top of all of that, I've made some really good friends. My personality somewhat leans towards being quiet and a follower and Wood Badge has helped me come out of my shell.

[jr56]

It's a really good idea to look around and find a nearby course that fits your schedule. I took my Woodbadge course outside of council. Had a really great time.
Unfortunately, I took the old Boy Scout course, so now I don't get credit for having taken it, as far a consideration for any future Wood Badge staff positions are concerned.