Scouts have fun while learning

The 64th Gilten Patrol Leaders Training Unit (PLTU) course, which ran from 2 to 11 January at the Gilwell Scouting Centre at Florida Lake, celebrated 40 years of youth leadership training.

PLTU is a 10-day intensive youth training course that trains Scouts and Rangers aged between 14 and 17 years old in leadership that’s based on John Adair’s functional leadership model. The participants in a PLTU course receive many opportunities to experience practical leadership in various adventure scenarios, as well as complete a tough obstacle course that provides opportunity for them to face and overcome their fears.

During the 10-day course the participants from across Gauteng attended sessions on leadership, applying the Scout and Ranger Promise and Law in their lives, how to train younger Scouts and Rangers in a Scoutcraft skill, and how to run effective Patrols, as well as various other sessions covering topics such as camp cooking and the Rover programme. The participants were also trained in practical Scoutcraft skills such as knotting, pioneering and mapping.

One of the projects the participants needed to complete was a guest meal. They had to planned, prepare and provide a three-course meal for outside guests not involved in the camp. The guests this year included the new Chief Commissioner of SSA, the Regional Commissioner of the Gauteng Region of SSA, mountaineering adventurers, an adviser to the EU for South Africa, and a Record journalist.

The participants found the course to be physically and mentally tough, but ultimately enjoyed their experience and returned to their home Troops and Crews equipped with the tools to be better leaders and to run their Patrols more effectively and efficiently.