Training

Kodiak

The Kodiak leadership trek is unique in that it is offered in an exciting and challenging atmosphere . A unit or council may offer a Kodiak Trek centered around a challenging 5 day or two 3 day weekend trek. Kodiak teaches leadership skills in a fun way that is internalized by the participants. In other words, it is a challenging trek with simple and fun leadership skills included. Kodiak is not taught indoors or in a classroom; it is done completely outdoors using nature’s examples of leadership.

It is …

1. Fun!
2. Relevant to each participant’s life.
3. Internalized by participants.
4. Based on nature.
5. Based on the servant leader concept.

Course Methods

• It is taught by two Guides (one adult and one youth if possible) working together as a team.
• It is based on symbolism using the Kodiak bear.
• Leadership skills are introduced with a hands-on exercise followed by a short presentation, then reinforced with one or more exercises.
• It uses constant reinforcement.
• It creates an older teen leadership fraternity.

Who May Offer a Course

This course may be run at any level (unit, district, or council).

Trek Setting

One course characteristic that the designers of this course  felt very strongly about was that this course should be taught in an outdoor setting. Fight the temptation to teach the sessions in a dining hall, classroom, or even an outdoor pavilion. Have your participants setting on a log, on a sandbar or rock, or other outdoor setting.

Group Size

Most exercises are designed for 5-8 participants. If you have a large group of say 10 participants, you might have participants watching as others participate in exercises. Obviously, this is not good. Likewise, too small of a group will not give enough participants to effectively do the exercises. The ideal size is 8 participants with 2 instructors.

You may have one, two, or more teams of 8 on a trek. However, you still need two instructors for each team of 8. You may choose to have teams travel, camp, and cook together. That is your option. Leadership skills delivery and exercises should be done by teams of 8, not by the larger group.



For more information about upcoming courses, please consult the following:

• Regional Kodiak Coordinator: Ms. Connie Elliott

The Kodiak syllabus is available at http://www.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/Kodiak%20Challenge%20FINAL%202011%20-%20Item%20Number%20511-014.pdf

Resources:

 2011 Kodiak CDC Information
 Kodiak CDC promotion
 Kodiak Challenge FAQs
 Kodiak Fact Sheet
 Kodiak overview flyer