My first Woodbadge course — 1990
I had a truly memorable and inspirational experience from August 4th to 11th in 1990. I attended a Varsity Scout Wood Badge Course at the Travis Training Center, East Fork of the Bear River. There were 43 candidates and 20 staff. I have never had so many spiritual, emotional, challenging, and uplifting experiences in such a short period of time as I did at Wood Badge. The incredible success of this adult leadership course was, in my opinion, due to three factors: 1) the quality of the Scouters on the staff, 2) the genuine concern of the staff for the participants, and 3) the meticulous preparation that preceded every experience. We were in full Scouting uniform for the entire 8 days, the staff expected excellence from us in every way, and we were all motivated to excel. The whole course revolved around the learning and mastering of 11 leadership skills, all of which were preceded by “discovery experiences”. We not only discussed leadership, but we lived the principles of leadership that we discussed.
Our first day started with an orientation trail, which consisted of the following stations: knot-tying, map reading, orienteering, low-impact camping, proper fire building, importance of the uniform, axe-yards, model campsite (fire buckets, lashed washing station, hanging garbage bags, etc.), and rope splicing. The orienteering and rope splicing were especially helpful and useful. We were expected to make our own commando ropes, using two open eye splices. The splicing techniques were very hard for me, but it was an exhilarating moment when I finally understood and succeeded on my own. We wore these commando ropes continually for 8 days! We enjoyed a Dutch-oven turkey lunch and then moved to “Gilwell” for the opening ceremony. Gilwell was the English park where Baden Powell convened the first Wood Badge course, so all subsequent courses have had their “Gilwell” commons area. A ceremonial axe was driven into a log with the course number, WV2-590-2-90. I was placed in the Bear team, along with 4 other brethren, 3 of whom I grew to love tremendously, and 1 of whom I grew to like. I was thrilled to discover that Dave Cope, a Family Practice resident I had worked with at Holy Cross Hospital, was to be our Unit Manager. He was to be a strength and joy all week long. As the first Gilwell assembly concluded, one of our team members was pulled aside by Dave, given a card with 5 compass bearings and distances on it which led to our squad campsite, and he was told to communicate this information to us in 30 seconds. We failed miserably, and this was our first “discovery experience” with communication. Not knowing what else to do, I chased after Dave and asked if we could look at the card once more, and I quickly read off the coordinates, asking each one in our team to remember 1 set of numbers. We were then able to successfully orienteer our way to within 30 feet of our campsite. A very meaningful discussion on effective communication followed. Our campsite was coined “Bear Hollow” by the staff and “Bear Bottoms” by myself. I was fortunate to have my own tent, allowing me to sleep well despite the heavy snoring of my team members in other tents. We chose as our Team Captain a mountain of a man with warmth and love to match his physical stature. The early evening was spent sharing “Meaningful Experiences” with each other, developing camaraderie, and trust. The first day concluded with a rousing campfire with songs, skits, and talks by our course Coach, Randy Gainer, and our course Captain, Dave Wells, two truly exceptional men. I discovered that Randy was the Elders Quorum President in the 5th Ward of the University of Utah Single Student Stake when I was Elders Quorum President in the 14th Ward, and Dean Bishop, another staff member, was the Stake Executive Secretary. What a thrill it was to renew friendships with these great brethren. I retired the first night tired, uplifted, and feeling the wonderful spirit that pervaded the camp.
Each day at Wood Badge began with a Flag Ceremony and information session. These were great experiences. We would have team inspections for full uniform, Commando ropes, woggles, band-aids, knives, etc. The ceremony always began with the song “Back To Gilwell”. Our team was blessed to have a bass, a baritone, and two tenors, and our rendition of “Back To Gilwell” often drew loud applause. The colors were always hoisted, a silent moment of prayer was observed, and teams were allowed to present their team flags to the Coach for acceptance by the course. These flags were works-of-art, everything on them being handcrafted by team members. Fictitious mail was read, phony phone calls received, and the hallowed “weather rock” was used to forecast the day’s weather. If anyone used the word “announcement”, we would all break into a rousing chorus of “Announcements, Announcements,…”, a light-hearted spoof song. The staff studiously endeavored to ensure that every candidate began his/her day with a smile and a heightened feeling of self-worth.
What a thrill it was to spend a Sabbath in the mountains. Brother Robert Mills, the head of Mormon relations for the BSA was our Sacrament Meeting speaker, and he was very motivational. He said that the reason our Church espouses Scouting is because Scouting helps us accomplish the mission of the Aaronic Priesthood, which is: 1) to bring Young Men to Christ 2) to help Young Men magnify their priesthood 3) to help Young Men give meaningful service 4) to prepare Young Men for missions 5) to prepare Young Men for the Melchizedek Priesthood 6) to encourage temple marriage. He encouraged us all to “be ripples”, to make our presence known, to affect others positively. He concluded with a beautiful scriptural lesson using Genesis 44:34 as his text, “For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?…”, a touching interchange between Joseph and Judah, concerning Benjamin and Jacob. He urged us not to leave any boys behind, but reach them all. The Spirit touched my heart as I sang our Sacrament song, thought of the Savior, and viewed the majestic mountain surroundings. We had a mini-On Target session that afternoon and capped off a beautiful day with a Vespers Patriotic program. We visited 4 Indian lodges and talked of America, our flag, and doing a good turn daily.
As I was getting some clean clothes out of my pack on Monday morning, one of James’ little socks fell out of my garments. I treasured that unplanned reminder of my sweet family, and the sacrifice Susan made to let me come on this trip. I kept the sock next to the head of my sleeping bag for the remainder of the week. We reported to Gilwell Commons in full uniform that morning with packs and gear, prepared for a hike and an overnight experience. We back-packed for an hour up to a “Big Event” area. We spent most of the day learning outdoor skills at various stations, including traps and snares, utensil-less cooking, no-match fire starting, fish traps, edible plants, cordage, and the most memorable, rappelling. We learned to make our own “Swiss seat” out of nylon strapping, then we practiced rappelling off a 5-foot platform to get a feel for the rope and the seat. The staff had constructed a rappelling platform 40 feet up in two trees. Words can’t adequately express the emotions, fears, feelings I felt as I first backed out over the edge of the platform, looked down, and leaned back. I had to purposely fight against every self-protective reflex and mechanism that our bodies activate in time of fear and stress. The experience was electrifying, not just because of the thrill of successfully rappelling, but also because of the great satisfaction which came from conquering personal fear and trepidation. Our team supported each other beautifully, and it was gratifying to see the teams with women rally around these sisters as they “conquered the wall”. We set up our camp in a beautiful little draw Monday evening and had a team campfire, during which we all expressed the love we were developing for the members of our team. A spirit of priesthood and Scouting brotherhood was tangible. I felt a special kinship with Verlan Duncan, the senior member of our team, whose wisdom, sincerity, spirituality, and humor were magnetic. Tuesday we competed in eight “Big Event” competitions, including soccer, darts, fire starting, rifle shooting, knife and tomahawk throwing, fishing plug casting, horseshoe throwing, and frisbee golf. It was very enjoyable. Interestingly, the grand prize was given to the team which displayed the most unity and spirit, not the team with the highest cumulative score, and no individual awards were given. One of our team highlights was Paul casting the fishing plug into the bucket on his very last attempt, just as time expired. I won the horseshoe throwing event. It was a great day!
Wednesday morning found us back at Travis for our morning flag ceremony, and we had one of the most poignant experiences I have ever had. After our flag ceremony, Coach Gainer called all the team captains out to the center area and quietly gave them instructions and handed each one a card. Tears began to flow from Coach Gainer and from all the captains. Our captain, Ken, slowly walked back to our group and was unable to talk for several minutes due to emotions. None of the rest of us had any inkling of what had been said. We supported Ken and he was finally able to say, “It will be necessary to make a change in our team members. Michael (me) will join the Antelope team and we will receive Dick Gray from the Antelopes.” By this time in the course I had grown to love and admire the great men in my team, especially Ken and Verlan. This news was devastating to me. No explanation was given; no discussion was allowed. We were simply to follow the directive. I began to cry: Ken embraced me in a bear hug and wept openly. We were all in the process of hugging, weeping, and expressing thanks when Coach Gainer called us to attention. He began, “How often have we done this very thing to boys in your units at home? How many feelings have we bruised? How many cavalier changes have we made with no explanations? Brethren, always remember how you felt just now and vow to never let this happen again in your units. This was just a learning experience. There will be no changes made in the teams.” My breath was gone! My emotions were drained! What a lesson! Tears flowed freely for the next several minutes as I contemplated the incredible learning experience I had just had. I was grateful to remain a Bear, but even more grateful to have learned a valuable lesson. We spent most of Wednesday working on a Service project. We joined with the Antelopes to cut wood from the main campfire area. We were also given time to work on our Broken Match award. This award required that you start a fire using bow and drill, and then flint and steel. The flint and steel fire was fairly easy, but I had tried unsuccessfully for three days to start a fire with the bow and drill. Several people had helped me, all to no avail. I finally went to the one person I knew could help me succeed, Richard Homer. Within 20 minutes he had fashioned the materials, given me proper instructions, and then encouraged me in my effort. What a joy and sense of fulfillment I had as I watched my tinder nest burst into flame from my bow and drill ember. This was a great lesson in proper instruction and encouragement. This day ended with one of the most moving ceremonies I’ve ever participated in. We had a model-team meeting which included a talk on freedom. We then moved to a fire site where the staff had prepared a rectangular bed of red hot coals and embers. All lights were extinguished as 8 flag bearers wearing white gloves solemnly marched in bearing a proud but tattered American flag. The bearers held the flag taut as they slowly lowered it toward the embers. It eventually burst into flames. Five minutes of absolute silence followed as we watched this glorious emblem of our liberty meet a fitting end. Inspired thoughts of freedom and liberty filled my soul. Spontaneously, members of the course began to offer thoughts, songs, scriptures and testimonies, all pertaining to the flag. We ended the ceremony with a Pledge of Allegiance. Never has this pledge meant more to me. It was fitting that we had just heard a few hours earlier that President Bush had mobilized US troops to defend Kuwait and Arabia against the Iraqi madman, Saddam Hussein. This day was emotionally draining, but spiritually edifying. I cried with gratitude as I said my bedtime prayers.
Thursday was our adventure trail day. It was fun and educational, and we learned a lot about effective communication. With no previous instruction of any kind, we were sent out as teams to “conquer” various challenges at 5 stations. At the first station we found a Coke can dangling by a rope in a tree. It had ice all around it. We were told that the can and anything touching it were contaminated and could only be touched if heated above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A message was inside the can that we needed to read. We quickly built a fire, heated the can and found the message. At station 2 we had to use our commando ropes and logs to fashion a ladder to get over an electric fence. Station 3 required that we set up a dome tent blindfolded with one of us giving instruction but no assistance. At station 4 we had to swing across a mock river using commando ropes. Station 5 required us to move a can and tripod with radioactive material to a new location using 3 coordinates. The “new” location was right where the can originally stood. We didn’t realize this until we had moved the material 20 feet. Effective communication amongst the 5 of us broke down at station 3 and worsened as we moved along. Getting our 290- and 250-pound team members over the fence and across the river was difficult at best. We finally had to orienteer our way to a remote overnight campsite. Three of us moved ahead while 2 lagged behind. By the time we finally reached our destination no one was talking to anyone else. We finally sat down together and had a heart-to-heart discussion about our frustrations. It ultimately was a glorious learning experience in communication and team work. As was the case with all experiences at Wood Badge, we learned more from our interpersonal relations than we did from the activity itself. We had a wonderful campfire that night. Friday we had a wonderful Dutch Oven feast, a songfest, and then a Closing Ceremony. We followed the Captain single file by the light of a torch until we reached a certain spot and he announced, “We will now travel by the light of the Scout Law”, and he extinguished the torch. We were eventually led as a team along a trail which had the 12 points of the Scout Law dimly illuminated. We were asked to drop a pebble at our side if we were willing to recommit ourselves to living each of the 12 points. We arrived at a distant campfire where the staff was assembled. Fifteen candles were lit, three for the aims of scouting, and twelve for the points of the Law. It was a touching and emotional time. Afterwards we exchanged hugs and thank-you’s with all the staff members. It was a fitting end to a beautiful, life-changing week.
In summary, the overwhelming message and feeling I carried home from Wood Badge was the beauty of seeing a challenge, formulating a plan, meeting the challenge head on, and succeeding. I grew to love my team members, and will long remember and cherish the memories of them. We all left with eight goals and 3 projects (our ticket) that need to be accomplished within 2 years, and I look forward to that challenge as well.
Click here to return to the Personal Life Journal index