Urg. The things I do for those kids...
I did some training this weekend. It's the second stage of a certain Program and a lot of Leaders don't get around to it but I've wanted to go for a long time.
I was not impressed. It wasn't *bad* but it was sometimes difficult to know what the Trainers wanted us to do (a lot of conflicting information) and we were dismissed if we (mostly I) tried to share any information beyond the answers the Team expected. What I found particularly frustrating was the information that *completely* contradicted a workshop I attended last year.
At the Programming workshop we were told NOT to focus on badgework when planning our meetings. It was to be a consideration but it was more important to keep the Youth engaged and excited about coming to meetings. That is how I've run my program this year and I feel it's going pretty damn well. The Pack is growing, I've only had one family leave and another decided not to join -- both things happened while I was on sabbatical. We've gone from 8 to 15 members this year and it's rare for one of the kids to miss a meeting.
Well... according to the Trainers I'm going about things all wrong. EVERY meeting should be centered around a badge.
Argh.
I'm not going to change anything unless my Cubs aren't happy. Point final.
M.