Your Comments from Weekend 1 (April 24-26, 2009):

Ferrell Gilmer, Buffalo Patrol

What a weekend!!!  By the time Sunday afternoon came around, I was just about ready to give up sleep altogether - - who needs it?  And it's overrated anyway.  The weekend was great, the staff was great, the possum and skunk at the Road Kill Cafe was great!!  The course is tremendous and I learned so much.  The training and information was intense and when the weekend is over- I realized how everything tied together and that Scouting truly is a game with a purpose.

I appreciate the effort that Scoutmaster Vicky and SPL LaFave (Flava Fave) and all the staff put into making Wood Badge a tremendous experience.  I can't wait for the next session!  Life is Great!!  WITH WOOD BADGE IT'S BETTER!!!!

Oh and, BUFFALO PATROL!!  LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY!!!!  See you in three weeks!

Jeffrey Stewart, Owl Patrol

How was MY first weekend?  There are too many words that sum up my experience, but the one that sums it up best is VALUABLE.  Valuable leadership training, valuable friendship building, valuable introspection and valuable time spent.

My thanks for the dedication and giving to the entire staff.

Mark Clark, Antelope Patrol

I first want to thank all involved as I know that most of you are volunteers. What a great service that all of you render.

I signed up for Wood badge because our Stake President (for simple terms we will call him an area manager) in our church asked all of the Priesthood leadership to take the Wood badge course. I do my best to be obedient to my leadership so I signed up. I did not have a bad attitude coming in but with launching a new business in 2 weeks, my calling at church, scouts, my parents visiting, my daughters (on our first day) and 2 sons' birthdays, my anniversary and mother's day all within the span between the 2 weekend course I have to admit my mind was on other things.

With all of that said, by mid-day on day two I was wondering if I had given up too much to be there, BUT by the end of day two I had completely seen the light.  Most of what has been presented I have heard at one point or another.  I am even familiar with the net zero gain concept, but I had never seen it presented in that manner and in regard to relationships. This has inspired me to improve my marriage and relationship with my kids.

It is not simply the message and the refresher of old material and presentation of new material but the combination of the enthusiasm of the staff combined with the material that has provided such inspiration. I only hope and pray and I will have the resolve to follow through. I know that at worst if I improve my home relationships and have a greater love for whom I serve that alone will improve our troop without even implementing the structural changes that can be made.  I thought that this course could be done in two 2-day weekends, and that if you did you may have more leaders attending, but I am starting to rethink that.  I don't believe that I was really "sold" until the 3rd day.  While I have a million thoughts going on right now I am excited to come back and see my new found friends from my patrol and staff.

Yes, I agree, Scouters are a rare breed even a bit (ok, not just a bit but a lot!) silly but aside from church there is no place I would rather have my sons than in Scouts.

While I know that you are just doing what you love, you will probably never fully understand the immensity of the service you are providing to me, my family and to every Scout (and their kids and their kids......) that is taught by those going through your course.

(Poster asks to remain anonymous)

I will admit that I was somewhat skeptical of Wood Badge before coming. I had heard that it was leadership training similar to what large corporations give their management. Being an employee of a large corporation that is widely regarded as one of the leading global companies for training their managers, I did not think that I would get much out of it.

Although many of the ideas that have been presented are similar to what I have already seen, the way in which it is presented is 100 times better. In the corporate world, you "practice" leadership methods through role play. In Scouting, there is no role play because you are following the Patrol method and you are completely tied to what is happening both mentally and emotionally. You are working through real situations and seeing how to practically apply the training.

Within a few days after completing the training in the corporate world, I had forgotten many of the concepts. With what I learned last weekend, I am already changing the way that I approach situations at home and work and I look forward to applying it to Scouting. It has been a very enjoyable experience thus far and I look forward to the next few weeks of working with my Patrol and completing Wood Badge.

Thank you to you and all the other staff members because "Life is good, but with WOOD BADGE it's better".

Randy Mothorp, Antelope Patrol

I had my doubts Friday morning.   But they quickly vanished and were replaced by some of the best times I have experienced in scouting!

I couldn’t wait to get back to the troop and share my excitement. I am counting down the days till we all gather together again! The staff really gets the brains gears turning and ideas start flowing onto paper.

Joel Hiatt, Bear Patrol

My first weekend exceeded my expectations. I have fond memories of singing, marching (I will forever be in the debt of our superb Senior Patrol Leader for teaching me my left foot from my right foot), Ryan Howell demonstrating how to fly like an Eagle, "I want to know", everyone named Tom, fine dining on road kill, dark suckers, cheers, woggles, bagpipes, games with purpose, interfaith service, ticket, being part of a great patrol and the best troop!

Thank you to all the staffers who give of their time and expertise to help us be better scouts. I am excited for the second weekend!

Your Comments from Weekend 2 (May 15-17, 2009):

Joel Hiatt, Bear Patrol

Oh, to go back to Gilwell... I am still basking in the warmth of a wonderful weekend with a tune I don't want to get out of my heart and head.  Ross, I read of your trip across the pond to visit Gilwell Park. What a wonderful experience.

Again, thank you for your selfless service. It is wonderful to stand on the shoulders of giants.

It was said many times, lead by example, it was tough to even think that we as Troop 1 could be anything like you and your staff….in the end, we came close, I think. My only hope is that we make you proud, and strive to Do Our Best to continue to be like you and your staff, and yes we will be there in full force next May.

Ferrell Gilmer, Buffalo Patrol

The first weekend of Wood Badge was terrific, beyond words, but the second weekend was extraordinary!!  We all came together as a Troop, we performed as a Troop and we are a Troop!  Ms. Vicki, Shawn LaFave, you, Will, and all of the staff were terrific!

I have to say that although I have had leadership training before, this was without a doubt the best leadership training I have ever had.  The manner in which everything is presented, the games with a purpose, the life lessons, etc., were done in such a way that we didn't know we were learning until we reflected on what just happened.

I look forward to putting what I've learned into practice in my life and my Scouting unit.  I thank you all so much for everything you did for us!

Mark Clark, Antelope Patrol

I went to Wood Badge not really knowing what to expect but what I received completely changed any preconceived notions I had about Scouts and Wood Badge. While I have been involved in the youth programs at church for years and fully support the BSA as a wonderful program for young men, I have never caught the full spirit of scouting, until now.

I believe that sometimes as LDS we see our program different than non-LDS BSA troops and that we can't do exactly what other non-LDS troops do. While I know there are a few minor differences I now know that every other troop has similar challenges and more importantly we too can engage our youth and have a fully practicing "boy led" program if we would just let go and give them a chance. I know that in the short term it may be very challenging to let go, but in the long term it will actually lighten the load of the leaders and enable the young men to become better leaders, Priesthood holders, Missionaries, husbands, fathers and leaders in church and community.

Wood Badge is an experience I will never forget. I entered as an individual leader because I was asked to do so and left (leaving was bitter-sweet) an inspired leader with 80+ new friends I know I can count on. I may be out on a limb here, but I would guess that Wood Badge in this area has never had a LDS attendance of nearly 30% before. I attribute that to your leadership and those leaders for whom you serve as well. I do not mean to diminish anyone else's faith as there were many men and women of God in our Troop but I can't help but think that the 30% LDS participants added to the sweet spirit of the group. The Sacrament meetings presided over by our 2 Gainesville Ward Bishops were great spiritual experiences.

Lastly, President, and of most importance to me personally is the new perspective I have on my personal relationships. Wood Badge training has helped me take the Principles and Values that we are taught and actively apply them in my life. I now see my marriage from a completely different perspective and for that I am eternally grateful. I am working to approach challenges with my children from a different angle. While I have not mastered these techniques I now have tools that I previously either did not have or did not use. It has only been a short time since Wood Badge but I have already seen relationships around me improving including those in my own home. For this I can never repay the debt but suffice it to say that I have many thanks to offer to my Savior, our leaders, you and your counselor's, my Bishop and his counselors, the Wood Badge staff, my patrol and troop.

For anyone who has not heeded the inspired guidance of our leaders I would strongly encourage them to take the time and attend this course. At worst case you make some new friends and learn some new leadership skills and if you pour your heart into it you may have a life changing experience like I did.