By: Blonde One
Currently I am in the middle of some training for my very lovely Young Leaders. These young people are already a massive help to me and provide practical assistance, moral support, a sounding board and excellent advice for all manner of outdoorsy problems. I’m not really sure how I would manage without them! Every now and then they get an opportunity thrown their way; they are very good at grabbing these opportunities with both hands. A super-duper friend and fellow DofE manager and I are running an Introduction to the DofE training course for a select group of special teenagers. This will give them the extra skills needed and formalise their expertise.
We are only half way through the course and already I am impressed with the knowledge that the group have. The quote of the evening had to go to (let’s call him) Jacob, who said: ‘I’ve surprised myself with how much I already know’.
If the only outcome of these hours of training is a boost in confidence then it will be well worth the effort.
It must be rewarding teaching to enthusiastic youngsters instead of teaching in the average secondary school class, where, as far as I understand it is mainly a question of battling with, and surviving bad discipline.
It is a very refreshing change. The normal classroom is too full of data and targets, and not full enough of enjoyment and enthusiasm.