|
|
|
The
Weston PLTU programme is based on the successful high-pressure formula we have
used on all our previous courses, where we set out to achieve the following
objectives: to provide a specialised service to complement the training of Patrol
Leaders by the Troop Scouter, as well as to help each candidate to develop as
much as possible - physically, mentally, socially and spiritually, in technical
skills, relationship skills, planning skills, implementation skills, and the
values of living correctly, both morally and spiritually.
The eleven-day course is of a demanding and challenging nature, and the programme, right from the onset, encourages the growth of Patrol spirit and the sense of belonging to the group, as well as developing leadership ability and a sense of responsibility in the individual.
July remains the best time of the year for us to run our course, and even the Scouts from independent schools managed to attend despite it not necessarily coinciding with their term break.
Leadership training remains core to our curriculum and as before we have based the leadership aspects on John Adair's functional approach to leadership where a leader concentrates on satisfying the three areas of need, i.e. the task, the group, and the individual. To this are added the eight skills of leadership (defining the task, planning, briefing, controlling, evaluating, motivating, organising and setting an example) and the theory behind situational leadership and leadership style adaptability.
There is no doubt that each and every candidate who completes the Weston PLTU course will develop new skills, will be able to communicate more effectively, be able to demonstrate the functions of a Patrol Leader, have an understanding of the Patrol system, and be able to draw up programmes and devise activities for their Patrol.
In addition to the many experiences of Weston, the PL would have encountered model and mainline pioneering, a commando course, survival, hiking, orienteering and other practical mapping activities, but above all, would have grown through self-evaluation.
