| Leadership Training
A Key to Success
by Richard Mariott
The Royal Rangers ministry has many assets,
and one of these assets is Leadership Training. The Leadership
Training Course (LTC) has been a valuable asset for Royal Ranger
leaders. The question we
need to address is the high number of leaders dropping out of Royal
Rangers each year. Many districts have stated that as much as
90%
of their leaders leave before attending LTC, which would help them
understand how to work with boys.
Many commanders agree with me when I say, "We
don't have problems getting boys into the Royal Rangers ministry ,
our biggest problem is retaining our LEADERS!" Because of this,
boys see many different leaders coming and going which can bring
instability to the outpost. Many boys have stopped coming due to
the instability of the leadership.
As we plan for the future of "Reaching Boys
for Christ" we need to review some of our existing procedures,
policies, and methods for training our leaders and ask ourselves
the following question: "What can we do, or what can we do differently
to retain the leaders we are losing?"
We are excited about the LTC updates we are producing
and developing into modules. The updated LTC training will help
to improve the retention rate of our leaders. The following is an
example of where we are in the process, for both LTC and National
Training Camps.
National Academy
The purpose of National Academy is to prepare leaders to
be instructors for NTC, ANTC, NTT, NCE, and WNTC. You must have
a recommendation from your district commander and pastor to
attend National Academy. Prior to attending the National Academy,
you must have successfully completed the "SIT" home study course. |
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Advanced Academy
The purpose of Advanced Academy is to prepare staff for
the two positions of "Senior Guide" and "Camp Commander."
The Academy trainees will not be a part of your responsibility.
You will be given specific instruction in both Senior Guide
and Camp Commander training. You will be required to demonstrate
your proficiency in both areas of instruction. Your evaluation
will be determined on your accuracy in following the outlines
and instruction. You may be certified in one or both of the
positions.
The Staff Academy Instructors will perform the trainee evaluations.
You must be nominated by your District Commander and recommended
by your Regional Coordinator to qualify for Advanced Academy. |
Academy Instructor
This is the designation for staff members who become certified
as Academy Instructors for National Academy and Advanced National
Academy. Requirements for this are currently being written.
Merely serving on the staff will not qualify you for the "Academy
Instructor" certification. There are several existing staff
positions at the various Academies that will not meet the certification
criteria. |
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Ranger Basics
The Ranger Basics course is an eight-hour course. It
could be on a Sunday morning or a weeknight in four 2-hour
settings, or one 8-hour Saturday session. We are also considering
an Internet training site for Ranger Basics. The training
will have a comprehensive handbook for the students to complete,
with the instructor using a PowerPoint or overhead slide presentation.
The training will consist of useful outpost teaching tips
to help a new commander get started and become successful.
After completing the Ranger Basics, he would earn the "Ranger
Basics" patch which can be worn on the left pocket or vest.
The Ranger Basics along with the weekly Meeting Planner, which
will have "Leader's Tips," will be invaluable to help us retain
leaders in the outpost. |
Leaders Medal of Achievement
The LMA will continue to be the main goal for a leader
to attain. After completing the Ranger Basics course, the leader
will be encouraged to continue his training and take the additional
modules required to earn the LMA. This represents approximately
twenty additional hours of training for the specific age group
where the leaders are involved. |
Ranger Kids Training Conference
The Ranger Kids Training Conference will replace the present
"Straight Arrows/Buckaroos Training Conference." This conference
will be packed full of activities, games, outdoor day activities,
songs, and special ceremonies for weekly meetings and day outings.
This conference will be available in two formats: all day Friday
and Saturday, or two all day Saturdays. |
National Training Camp
The purpose of NTC is for leaders to learn and understand
the importance of the "Patrol Method." We are developing improved
PowerPoint presentations and workbooks for the trainees. Many
of these materials will be ready prior to the March 2002 release
date of the new program. We will use the updated materials for
NTC, ANTC, NTT, NCE, and WNTC as they are finished. The NTC
is a prerequisite for the following National Camps; ANTC, NTT,
NCE, and WNTC. |
Advanced National Training Camp
The purpose (new) for ANTC is to learn the importance of
building a "team." Understanding the team concept and the importance
of building a team will be designed into the evening classroom
sessions. The outdoor sessions will continue to have advanced
cooking, advanced lashing with rope towers and rope bridges,
advanced map and compass-with GPS being added, building native
shelters, plant identification, learning pageantry tips with
costumes, staging, special effects, and manuscripts. The final
night will be a wilderness campout. |
National Canoe Expedition
The purpose of NCE is to learn the techniques of operating
a canoe and how to plan for water adventures. Skills that will
be demonstrated are canoe handling, canoe safety, proper canoe
strokes, packing, launching, landing, and portaging the canoe. |
Winter National Training Camp
The purpose of WNTC is to learn winter survival and how
to perform various activities in the snow. Training and events
involve the use of snowshoes, cross-country skis, winter shelters,
snowmobiles, toboggans, and sleds. The camp is very limited
in size, generally 24 to 30, due to equipment needs. One of
the final activities is the "team competition" timed event with
a team member participating in each of the following activities:
snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing.
Team members will be carrying and passing a baton to the next
team member. The timed event involves two teams competing at
the same time. This camp helps a leader learn winter camping
skills for outpost outings. |
National Training Trails
The purpose of NTT is to learn backpacking and hiking skills
while on the trail so these skills can be taught to your outposts.
Skills that will be demonstrated are trail cooking, clothing,
conservation, field sanitation, compass and map, and much more. |
The committee is currently updating
the Junior Training Camps course and requirements. |
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JTC Basic
Junior Training Course-The JTC Basic will offer an instructional video and handbook for the outpost commander to provide for all boy leadership positions in each level of the Discovery, Adventure, and Expedition Rangers. It will give them specific instruction on their position and leadership responsibilities and will define their function at the outpost level.
The section could sponsor this as a one-day training event. Eventually it will be required prior to attending JTC. Many of the topics of the Basic JTC will prepare junior leaders to attend the Junior Training Camp.
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JTC
Junior Training Camp-The JTC was developed as the starting point for training boys to become men. This camp is required of boys wanting to graduate from the Junior Academy and receiving their Expedition Rangers Leadership Medal. The camp will be held in a campout setting, but will include specific training on leadership skills and development. |
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Advanced JTC
Advanced Junior Training Course-The Advanced JTC is also required in order to graduate from the District Junior Leadership Training Academy. You will need to successfully complete the JTC, AJTC and at least two additional camps (JTT, JAC, JSC, JWC, or JCE). Some districts offer a saber after the completion of a fifth camp. Contact your district to determine their policy. |
JTT
Junior Training Trails—The JTT requirements are now
being determined by committee members. They will be similar
to present requirements. |
JCE
Junior Canoe Expedition— The JCE requirements are now being determined by committee members. They will be similar to present requirements. |
JWC
Junior Winter Camp—The JWC requirements are now being
determined by committee members. |
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The Elite JTC is for the honor guards and for the special Royal Rangers Cords. Many of the advanced academies cover this prior to graduation. Use this patch with special White Honor Guard Beret. There are a number of camps that district use to provide additional training. Contact your district for this information. |
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National Junior Academy Camp is for boys and leaders who want to learn leadership traits for serving on district Junior Camps. |
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