Online JLT Training

[jacobym]

Is there any JTL training online ?

[wagionvigil]

i would this is one training that is never on line. The Junior Leaders need this in an outdoor setting.

[FrankJ]

You might learn the concepts of leadership by reading or on the internet, but most of the practical is learned by doing. That is why "boy led" is such an important part of the program. Practice, practice, practice.

[WVBeaver05]

This is a VERY IMPORTANT topic and training. Yes, Boy Scouting wants/needs to be boy lead. But also, we must provide the training to allow the boy leaders to succeed. Anything less is at least a disservice.

IMHO, the first step is to get the Adults trained so they understand the concept and can promote it. Then, a Scout new in a leadership position should have the responsibilities and expectations explained to him right away. He should be advised that he can always come to the leaders with questions. If there are trained, effective youth leaders in the Troop they can mentor the new youth leaders.

This should be followed by a Troop level JLT course. This is the course that not only explains and reinforces the boy lead concept, but should give them exposure to the skill that they will need to actually do it. As with much training, it won't make them leaders. It won't give them everything that they need to know. It should expose them to skills that they can consider and practice using as they add experience and get better and better.

Now here is where I think BSA is letting us/them down. The newest Troop JLT training materials are at best a JOKE. Try and find one of the previous versions. The printed part is available on a couple of internet sites but you will need to find someone with the video tape. In my opinion the effort will be worth it when you compare them.

The past version needs a group of around 10 Scouts and will take about 8 hours to complete. I suggest a totally different setting than your regular meetings, and really want to do one on a Junior Leader only campout.

The training should be done when there are any new youth leaders, but attended by all the youth leaders. This will provide both a refresher to them and a chance for them to be mentors and role models to the younger leaders. In smaller Troops, especially if they have elections every 6 months, you may only be able to do it annually. I would suggest not doing it less than annually even if that means you do a joint training with another Troop to get enough attendance.

This training should be lead by the Scoutmaster. The older boy leaders should attend and assist. It is up to the Scoutmaster to determine how each can best assist. It may require a pre-meeting with the older boy leaders to make sure that they understand their role and enhance the training. This may mean that they hold back from some of the excersizes that they have already seen and let the younger leaders experience them. Only those participating will be able to determine how to do it best.

After the formal training don't forget the follow up and coaching is still needed. In the best case this can be done by an older, experienced Scout, but it may need to be the Scoutmaster.

Following this, don't forget the Council program for Youth Leaders (NYLTC). This is usually a week long course in a camping setting for advanced training. Most Troops should have at least 1 Scout who is ready for this training annually. Check with your Council for the dates and the requirements (ours is 1st Class, at least 1 long term camp recommended, a current leadership postion or expected to be soon, and Scoutmaster endorsement).

You will see the difference in the Scouts that attend. In some Councils, I feel that the adult leadership is doing a grave disservice by not publicising and encouraging attendance. (And, yes, my Council is one that isn't doing it's job on this one. We have had to cancel 2 of the last 3 years for lack of attendance. And, I consider this to be a discrace!!)

There you have my thoughts on the matter.

YiS

[momma_bee]

I would like to see a specific 2-3 boys from our troop take this type of training. There are some who lack maturity and maybe they would get something from it and maybe not. The 2-3 I have in mind definately WOULD.

I have asked our district about it and they said it is to be done at a troop level. So, if you have a small troop or have problems like we do, you are out of luck.

I would like to see it offered at a district or council level. Or, at least have 2-3 troops pull resources.

[cballman]

what could also be done is get together with maybe two or three troops and then put together a jlt traing day with the leaders working together and put the boys from different groups together so they can learn how to be leaders and use the strengths and weakness of the other scouts...


wow I had another bad thought wasent that like what they taught us in Woodbadge??????

[wagionvigil]

Sometimes folks look for an "easy" way out. The outdoor sessions are super important to JLT. We do a week long at camp. SO you live it.

[momma_bee]

I did mention it at roundtable (you know, hang out with other adults, learn, help each other) and I heard two things.

We do it as a troop / you should do it as a troop.

No one in our troop is interested / we don't need it.

Oh, that isn't fair. I did have one fellow say they had done it recently, and he offered (and provided) a copy of the old material, with video. So, the ball is in my court. I could plan it and invite but I do feel a bit under qualified and would like to see a MAN do this instead of a MOM.

eta, JLT is offered at our summer camp, but is limited to 14yo and up. BigBee has two years to go.

[WVBeaver05]

I did mention it at roundtable (you know, hang out with other adults, learn, help each other) and I heard two things.

Yep, know it well -- Glad to hear that others do and that you and other leaders attend (see signature!)

We do it as a troop / you should do it as a troop.

Well......, the course if really arranged to be done by a Troop. So this comment is completely off base. However, you also need a minimum number of participants so you may have to combine. If another Troop has enough, they wouldn't be a good candidate for combining, but that doesn't keep it from being a good idea!

No one in our troop is interested / we don't need it.

Ouch!! No excuses for this one. All youth leaders NEED it, whether they know it or not. The leaders should be interested enough to get the attendance and get it held. Just my opinion.

Oh, that isn't fair. I did have one fellow say they had done it recently, and he offered (and provided) a copy of the old material, with video. So, the ball is in my court. I could plan it and invite but I do feel a bit under qualified and would like to see a MAN do this instead of a MOM.

Now Momma!! Let's not be discriminatory here. I've read your posts, and I'm sure you can lead the course, if you want too. Remember that you need two deep leadership, so you don't have to do it all.

eta, JLT is offered at our summer camp, but is limited to 14yo and up. BigBee has two years to go.

Any feedback on the JLT at camp? I assume that this is the Council level JLTC (actually now called NYLTC)? I have been on staff for one and would not think that it could be given as effectively at a summer camp. Wonder what others think and/or have found?

YiS

[WVBeaver05]

Sometimes folks look for an "easy" way out. The outdoor sessions are super important to JLT. We do a week long at camp. SO you live it.

Wagionvigil -- are you talking about the Troop level course or the Council level one?

YiS

[wagionvigil]

council level
we do Troop level with two or three neighboing troops each year. AS most troops are small.

[vpalango]

If anyone out there has the old JLT video that they could loan, it would be great if I could arange to borrow a copy. Contact me directly via e-mail.

[momma_bee]

Someone made a copy for me, I don't have the set up to make one myself.

One of the council shops I visit had the old one 'in the back'

I haven't heard anything about the one from camp, other than, we didn't have many boys.

And, I'll admit, I haven't looked at the material.

Why 14yo and up (at camp)? Is that material based, or council decreed?

And, can you do it as a troop regardless of current leadership positions?

[Chief J]

We do JLT at the Troop level after the elections have been held and the new/renewed SPL / PL's and the others begin their term of office. We take a weekend camping trip and go through the official JLT material. We also augment the weekend training with some team building exercises and some homegrown classes on planning, and executing the program.

Greater Pittsburgh Council runs the week long Twin Arrow (former JLTC Course). We as a Troop offer a scholarship to anyone interested in attending this course.

Chief J

[momma_bee]

I guess I was thinking if I did it, and offered it as training for existing or potiential leaders I could get a greater interest with our troop.

eta - Thanks for your kind comments Wayne. I haven't heard any feedback about the summer camp program. I still think the boys will hear the material better if it comes from someone other than me. Simply because my troop and their parents have a tendency to tune me out.

[Chief J]

I guess I was thinking if I did it, and offered it as training for existing or potiential leaders I could get a greater interest with our troop.

eta - Thanks for your kind comments Wayne. I haven't heard any feedback about the summer camp program. I still think the boys will hear the material better if it comes from someone other than me. Simply because my troop and their parents have a tendency to tune me out.

I would get the training scheduled. Utilize a weekend camping trip. Let the ASPL and APL run the Troop and Patrols while you train the SPL and PL's as well as the support staff. If yhey truly tune you out, how about getting a scouting friend from District or a neighboring unit to attend the camping trip and help out?

If we take the time to show the boys how to do their job and how the job fits in, then you are well on your way to a Boy Led Troop.

Chief J

[WVBeaver05]

I guess I was thinking if I did it, and offered it as training for existing or potiential leaders I could get a greater interest with our troop.

eta - Thanks for your kind comments Wayne. I haven't heard any feedback about the summer camp program. I still think the boys will hear the material better if it comes from someone other than me. Simply because my troop and their parents have a tendency to tune me out.

I would get the training scheduled. Utilize a weekend camping trip. Let the ASPL and APL run the Troop and Patrols while you train the SPL and PL's as well as the support staff. If yhey truly tune you out, how about getting a scouting friend from District or a neighboring unit to attend the camping trip and help out?

If we take the time to show the boys how to do their job and how the job fits in, then you are well on your way to a Boy Led Troop.

Chief J

I'm all for doing Troop JLT at a campout, but make sure that you can truely get away for it. In our Troop we don't have enough to run the Troop/Patrols if everyone who needs trained is in the class. In that case, make the campout just for the course. It is extremely important that the course participants not be distracted.

Having another person there to help and lead some of the sessions is an approach that can work and can improve the program to some extent. However, if you use the previous versions of the Troop JLT program you aren't presenting as much as you are facilitating. The Scouts should be doing a lot of the talking (and thinking, but don't tell them that part ).

Likewise, I would hold the adult attendance to a minimim. You have to have two deep leadership, but if all the participants parents are there I predict that the effect will be a lot less. Picking an adult leader who can benefit from seeing the emphasis on "Boy Lead Program" will help even if they don't do anything except observe.

Hope you are getting all this. You are certainly hearing a lot of advise. Take what you can and do the best that you can. You will have to make judgements based on how you see the situation in your Troop.

Don't hesistate to come back and ask more questions. There is lots of experience here and when you get a lot of information, you can use the parts of it you need/want.

YiS

[Mrw]

I haven't actually looked very closely at the program itself, but there is a link to a troop JLT powerpoint presentation on the Greater Cleveland Council web site.

http://www.gccbsa.org/