The entire LTC as we have known it for the past 39 years is undergoing a total revision -- in fact, it will be replaced next March with the Leadership Training Academy, which will consist of a large number of training modules, or classes, that will provide training to leaders at all levels of Royal Rangers. There will be a series of modules that are aimed at the local age-group commander -- someone who is involved with Pioneers (Discovery Rangers), for example. Anyone who completes this series of modules will have earned the new Leaders Medal of Achievement.
There will be additional modules for someone who serves as a senior commander, or as a sectional or district staff member. New modules are being prepared for folks who serve as outpost councilmen or outpost chaplains, or who want to be instructors for the modules in the LTA.
The committee that is putting this new program together was charged with several things, including simplifying the leadership training process. We did not take this to mean to water it down, or to make it easier, and we haven't. In fact, the number of required hours of classroom instruction actually goes up from 18 to 25 hours under the new program. But much of the "busy work" that we have had in the LTC for homework is no longer required, and the way in which we do the testing is changed from a focus on a number grade (an 85% for example) to making the tests a learning experience also, so if someone does not understand something important in the module, they will get immediate feedback and additional instruction about the topic right there in the class.
To earn the LMA in this new training program will require the following:
- Ranger Basics (8 hours) which focuses on running an effective weekly meeting using the written curriculum that the national office is developing. This of course involves knowing how to lead a boy to Christ, how to handle basic discipline problems, classroom management techniques to help avoid problems, and a basic knowledge of the local organizational structure, chartering, and uniforms.
- Discipleship (3 hours) -- this is a totally new module that focuses on advanced soul winning techniques, discipleship, and counseling.
- LTA camp-out for those involved in Discovery, Adventure, or Expedition Rangers -- overnight camp-out that puts the trainees in the position of new Rangers on their first camp-out. The instructors will be with the groups in their campsites providing guidance and instruction to trainees just as a commander would do with boys on their first camp-out. The patrol method will NOT be used on this camp-out, as the focus is on camp skills, not the patrol method.
- Ranger Kids Skills -- a one-day hands-on training activity for Ranger Kids commanders to provide them the hands-on skills and safety awareness that they need to take a group of Ranger Kids on outings and field trips.
- Trip Planning (3 hours) -- this takes the non-age-group specific parts of trip planning from the current Section 4 of the LTC and presents it to the commanders so they can plan trips for their boys, focusing on things like menus, equipment needed, safe transportation, etc.
- Ranger Kids Activities, Discovery/Adventure Rangers Activities, or Expedition Rangers Activities -- a 2-hour module where commanders of a particular age group will study age-specific information about taking their boys on activities; obviously what a Ranger Kids commander need to know about taking his or her boys to the zoo is quite different than what an Expedition Rangers commander needs to know about taking his boys rapelling or whitewater rafting.
- Successful Outposts (5 hours) -- this module takes in several topics of the current LTC, including how to develop a meeting plan, or part of one, if you want to deviate from the written curriculum available from GPH. There is quite a wide variety of topics in this module.
- First aid course -- this requirement has not changed from the current LTC.
- Two elective modules (typically 2 hours each) -- these may be selected from a large number of options, such as Senior Commander, Outpost Chaplain, Introduction to FCF, How to Start an Outpost, The Patrol Method, Basic Outreach Ministries, Teaching Techniques, Substance and Child Abuse, Physically Challenged Boys, Special Needs Ministries, etc.
For those who have one of the LMAs already, you will not need to go through the entire process again. We are developing a six-hour LMA Transitions module for you to provide you all of the updated information that you will need to effectively use the new Royal Rangers program in your church.
Additional information about the new training program, and examples of the new LMA, can be seen on the national RR web site at http://royalrangers.ag.org/royal-rangers/rangers2002training.cfm
Jonathan Trower
South Central Region Training Coordinator
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
phone: 254-420-1941
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