Overview
Explorer Leadership Institute (ELI) was established by Explorer leaders
out west wanting an Explorer version of Leadership Development Wood Badge,
since Explorer Wood Badge ended in the late 50s. It began from discussions
among volunteers in the Utah National Parks Council in the fall of 1982,
with the first course run there in May of 1984. The authors of the course
were Williard Hansen, Daryl Alder, and Donovan Fleming. From there it spread
to other councils, mainly limited to Area Two of the Western Region (the
same Area that produced Varsity Scouting, hmmm). It was never accepted
as a Nationally approved program. In 1993, ELI was discontinued (unsure
why), but resurfaced as ACE (Advanced Concepts for Exploring) in 1994,
and continuing until 1998. With the split of Exploring between LFL/Exploring
and Venturing, this program has apparently ended. With the release
of "21st Century Wood Badge" covering all programs of the BSA, the need
for this program has pretty much ended.
What little I know of this program has come from articles about it appearing in the Leader Lore newsletter. Issue #24 gave a brief history of the program. Go here to learn more about this great resource. A former participant supplied me with further information.
According to Mike Walton's website, there where 2 experiemental Exploring Wood Badge courses run in the 1970s. Not sure how different it was from the then standard WB course. He also states that National then went on to create a National Exploring Instructor course. Not sure what this course is or how it fits in with ELI/ACE.
Program
ELI is a four day training program. It teaches the Leadership
Development skills from Wood Badge, but in a format and with role playing
activities aimed at the then current version of Exploring.
Recognition
No uniform insignia was created for ELI, however those who completed
their ELI ticket received a bronze gavel. Course instructors (staff)
received a silver gavel, and course directors got a gold gavel. Could
someone possible supply me with pictures of these? Did ACE continue
to use the gavel awards?
Literature
The only literature I expect from this program is course syllabi, which
I have yet to see.
update: 03/29/2002mrb