Training and Development Conference Con't

Well, I've got to figure out how to add to a post that you have saved as a draft. I couldn't add to the previous post. Oh well.
As for the rest of the classes, the "Software for Unit Reports" was an overview of the different software available for tracking achievements and other Scout information. Our Pack currently uses Packmaster, and Packmaster is the one piece of software that was given the highest reviews.
My two "fun" classes were "Dutch Oven Cooking Basics" and "Women in the Wilderness." The cooking class was fun and informative because I have never cooked with a dutch oven while camping and now I know how to do it. You can cook or bake so many different things in one! We tried chocolate chip cookies and minestrone soup that had been made there in a dutch oven. Now our camping menus will be greatly improved now that I know how to use one!
The "Women in the Wilderness" class was interesting because I have never been backpacking before, and now I know exactly what items to bring and an average cost of these items. Backpacking is something that I have always wanted to experience. I also got some recommendations of where to purchase used camping/backpacking gear in Portland used at some great prices!
All in all, the Training Conference was quite beneficial to me. I learned a lot, got to meet and listen to other leaders that have been around much longer than I have, and we got all of our den registered for summer camp already. There were also many vendor booths set up so you could see Scout gear and different places to take your Scouts.

Training and Development Conference

Yesterday was the first Training & Development Conference (formerly called Powwow)that I have attended. I didn't know quite what to expect; I registered on-line in September for it and had to pick six classes to attend. The classes I attended were:
Using Social Media Tools, Gadgets, and More
Put the "Outing" in Scouting
Dutch Oven Cooking Basics
Women in the Wilderness- Backpacking and Camping for Women
Software for Unit Reports & Advancement
Quality Programming for Cub Scout Packs

I wanted classes that were most relevant to my position as Pack Trainer, some for den leadership, and a couple of fun ones. I think I chose well- I got a lot out of almost every single one. The first one about social media gave me the idea for this blog. The Scoutmaster who was teaching the class has had a blog for almost 5 years and has had about 180,000 hits. It has been a great recruiting tool for him as well as a source of information about Scouting in general. The class also gave me some ideas about how to improve our Facebook site and webpage.
The "Outing" class was awesome! I came away with a ton of ideas about where to take our den. The emphasis was on spending more time outdoors (which can be a challenge in Oregon climate). We came away with ideas on how best to utilize the outdoors and indoors for events.
The Quality Programming class was very beneficial for our Pack. Our Pack has gone through a complete transition this year with the new leaders on our committee. We have fresh faces and have gotten rid of various problems of issues. We have had many new successes in our Pack that have been very exciting. This class showed me how to evaluate our Pack for a Quality for Excellence award and I am hopeful that we will receive one.