Training

I'm a training addict...

It all started when my son joined Cub Scouts. I had been away from scouting since I was a Boy Scout 20+ years ago. Looking through his Cub Scout book, helping with the uniform, taking him to his first pack meeting... That's when it happened. They asked me to be a leader.

I said, "sure," and volunteered to be an assistant den leader. I went out and bought my uniform and signed up for training. One Saturday in a church fellowship hall and I was hooked. I soaked it up; couldn't get enough. Two months later, some of the other leaders asked if I was interested in taking over for the Cubmaster whose son was crossing over to the troop. Again, I said, "sure." This was followed by more training.

Then came University of Scouting; good stuff. Then BALOO; yea, training about camping! Then Outdoor Leadership Skills for Webelos Leaders; training WHILE camping! Now, I just registered for the next University of Scouting and turned in my acceptance of invitation form for Wood Badge in one day. Its like I get to be a scout again and I remember how much fun it was. I get to inject that fun and spirit into my Pack and energize my son about scouting and that feels great!

Trouble is, what's next?

I know Wood Badge is a big one and it should challenge me for a long time, but I'm almost out of Leader training stuff. Once a year isn't enough for University of Scouting to satisfy my needs. Roundtables are great, but they're more like a pack meeting for grown ups. I'm almost out of online training... There are some Ventureing and Commissioner courses online, but nothing left for me. Resident camp seems to help me through the summer, so that's good.

I'm going to have to start taking Red Cross classes now; that'll fix me for a while. ;)