Last week, Training Camp looked a little different compared to other Good Dads training events!
Whereas we’d typically invite anyone with a heart for service who believes in the power of responsible fatherhood to attend Training Camp events—this time we had a veritable all-star team at the Good Dads headquarters with returning facilitators. Because most of the attendees already had experience facilitating classes for the New Pathways for Good Dads program, we knew they have the mojo to dive into our latest program—Good Dads Plus Us—with confidence!
We welcomed 20+ seasoned facilitators representing communities across the state, from as far north as St. Joseph and as far south as McDonald County, for this fun and interactive four-day Training Camp. All of these attendees were energetic, highly engaged and asked great questions. If you spent even a few moments as a fly on the wall in the classroom, you’d hear no shortage of thoughtful conversations about the skills and strategies program participants will need to build and maintain a happy, healthy family. We’re so proud to be facilitative of these kinds of conversations because that’s what the mission is all about!
Another thing that made this week’s Training Camp special was our very first glimpse into our newest curriculum: Fundamentals for Good Dads.
The course, first written in 2021, was originally focused on helping any dad, including stepdads, grandfathers, and father figures, to be the best dad they can be. Now, a new and improved version of the curriculum also recognizes the role that mothers, wives and partners play in successful co-parenting.
This eight-part course encourages fathers and father-figures to explore a variety of important fatherhood skills: values, discipline and correction, masculinity, role models, child development milestones, conflict resolution, support networks, etc.
We knew Fundamentals for Good Dads was going to be a hit because we believe in the research and strategies that inform all of our curriculum. But at the same time, we also knew that we could rely on our committed facilitators to help us make the course even better. To all our “guinea pigs,” everyone who offered their feedback and suggestions, thank you! We learned so much in this pilot test-run of the course!
Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the staff and helpers at The Downtown Church in Springfield for generously offering classroom space! We couldn’t do it without you!
Feeling FOMO?
The next opportunity to be trained in Good Dads Plus Us programs is right around the corner! In the second week of March, Good Dads staff is hosting another training camp opportunity for Prep 8.0 and Fundamentals for Good Dads in Springfield, MO. Check our out Training Camp page for event details and registration information.
