Last fall, changes were implemented regarding Wood Badge I for The Canadian Path (WBI-CP).
It’s understood that the best way to learn, especially when it comes to Scouting, is to learn by doing and building competencies.
So the new practice for Wood Badge I is not just to complete e-learning modules, but to develop and demonstrate competencies around how to facilitate the Canadian Path program and continue to deliver on our mission to help develop well-rounded youth better prepared for success in our world.
Scouters achieve the Wood Badge I learning milestone by attaining a defined level of competence for a subset of skills on the Scouter Development Map.
To help everyone out, I've crafted step-by-step instructions for two groups of Scouters:
1. Scouters in their First Year and; 2. Long Time Scouters holding a pre-Canadian Path Wood Badge in their Section.
Instructions for Section Scouters within their first year:
1.
Once a Scouter completes all their necessary screening and Scouting Fundamentals training, they may begin to work in their sections with the youth: this facilitates the hands-on learning within their section, and the Scouter begins to learn by doing through mentorship with other Scouters in their section.
2.
The next step in a Section Scouter’s development is to work towards their Wood Badge I for The Canadian Path learning milestone.
There are two ways to get started on the WBI-CP:
After completing the Self-Assessment Quiz, a personalized action plan will appear with guidance on how to complete any outstanding competencies.
Scouters will select the current Learning Stage based on their experience for each competency statement.
Scouters will be awarded the competency badge for each skill when they reach the required Learning Stage as part of Wood Badge I for The Canadian Path.
Once all competencies are complete, the Scouter will be awarded their Wood Badge I for the Canadian Path.
The Second Way:
Begin by exploring the Learning Topics in the online centre and complete the eLearning sessions available as part of Wood Badge I for The Canadian Path available through the David Huestis Learning Centre.
Section Scouters can complete the learning in any order they like, within the first year as a Section Scouter.
Below are some best practices when setting Scouter development goals:
·
Do not complete all eLearning sessions in one sitting. It’s not easy to retain all that information in one go.
·
Choose 1 to 3 skills to focus on at a time. You may set yourself developmental goals for the coming month or program cycle (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer).
·
Apply what you have learned as soon as possible to increase your learning retention.
3.
Once a Scouter has completed an eLearning session OR the Scouter can already demonstrate that skill set and selects the appropriate Learning Stage in their self-assessment, a badge will automatically be awarded to their Learning Centre profile.
Once a Scouter follows their Action Plan and completes the elements, they will be awarded the Wood Badge I for the Canadian Path and the learning milestone will appear on their myscouts record.
Instructions for Scouters who hold pre-Wood Badge 1 for the Canadian Path (section specific)
1.
Scouters are grandfathered into sections where they hold a pre-CP WB1. This only means that MyScouts will not indicate that the Scouter requires this learning element to remain active
. It is still highly recommended that all Scouters complete a self-assessment to identify their familiarity with the Canadian Path program. However, if a Scouter without a WB1-CP moves into another section in which they do not have either a WBI-CP or the prior WB, MyScouts will alert the Scouter and the GC by way of noting that they need WBI.
A WBI-CP allows Scouters to work with youth in other sections (with GC approval) without requiring an entirely new Wood Badge I.
2.
For long-time Scouters with years of experience and know-how, the first step is to complete the Self Assessment. All the information Scouters require about accessing the new learning platform is
here; information about accessing WB1-CP is
here. (head to “Using the Scouter Development Map” to get started on your Self Assessment).
3.
The Self Assessment will help the Scouter identify any gaps they may have, and will allow them to work directly on those elements though a personalized Action Plan for Skills Development.
4.
Once a Scouter follows the Action Plan and completes the elements, they will be awarded their Wood Badge I for the Canadian Path and the learning milestone will appear on their myscouts record.
I hope this article has been helpful to you on your Scouter Development journey. Here are links to some Help Centre articles you may find useful:
Yours in Scouting
Nicole Donadio
Council Relationship Manager
Shining Waters Council
