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What is Kodiak

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Kodiak falls under the umbrella of the Nature of Leadership and the National Youth Leadership Society. A page from the VLSC manual showing the relationship of VLSC, Kodiak and Kodiak X. There are three leadership courses that compose the Nature of leadership:

  1. Venturing Leadership Skills Course (VLSC);
  2. Kodiak; and
  3. Kodiak X.

Although Kodiak is required for Kodiak X, VLSC is not required for Kodiak although it is recommended to take VLSC first.

To earn and become part of the National Youth Leadership Society, one must meet the following requirements;

1. Complete either Troop Junior Leader Training OR VLSC
2. Complete 3 of the following courses:

NYLT
NAYLE
Kodiak
Kodiak X
Mentoring Others

4. Earn 4 points by completing the following leadership positions:

Patrol Leader - 2 pts
Senior Patrol Leader - 3 pts
other troop leadership position - 1 pt (note that this does not say "position of responsibility")
Crew President - 3pts
Crew VP - 2 pts
other crew leadership position - 1 pt
District, council, area, regional or National OA or Venturing office - 3pts
Leadership outside of scouting (school, church, etc) - 1pt

Recognition is a nice framed certificate with places for 2 photos, a pin for males/necklace for females. Cost is $100.

The Kodiak Venturing leadership course is unique in that it is offered in an exciting and challenging atmosphere using whatever high-adventure resources you have available.  Your crew or council could offer a course backpacking or rafting down a river away from your council or in your local area.  Kodiak teaches leadership skills in a fun way that is internalized by the Venturers who take the course.  In other words, it is a challenging high-adventure trek with a simple and fun leadership course 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

  1. It is taught by two instructors (one adult and one youth if possible) in an "instructor team."
  2. Only five skills are taught.  They are called "commissions."  The five commissions are:
    1. Effective Teams
    2. Values/Vision
    3. Communications
    4. Decision Making
    5. Planning
  3. It is based on symbolism using the Kodiak bear.
  4. Commissions are introduced with a hands-on exercise followed by a short presentation, then reinforced with one or more exercises.
  5. It uses constant reinforcement.
  6. It creates an older teen leadership fraternity.

Kodiak X

Kodiak X is a weekend leadership challenge course that builds on the leadership commissions learned in Kodiak.  The exercises in this program are also designed for 5-8 participants.  During the weekend, participants will review what they learned at Kodiak, and learn two additional commissions.  These commissions are:

  1. Evaluating Performance
  2. Mentoring

They will also have an opportunity to practice their leadership skills while serving as a leader of their team as they face challenging scenarios.
Kodiak Medal

Recognition

Participants completing each course will be presented the new Kodiak and Kodiak X medals to proudly wear.  Adults who have completed the staff development training and who are promoting a course can wear the medal.  When they are not promoting a course they are staffing, it is inappropriate for them to wear it.  It is technically a youth recognition.

 Kodiak X Medal