Wood Badge
What Is Wood Badge and Why Should I Attend?
Wood Badge is an advanced leadership training course available for Scout leaders. Created in 1919 by Baden-Powell, the founder of the World Scout Movement, it was designed to ensure Scout troop leaders received proper training.
Reflecting on a century of Scouting, Wood Badge draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles, and successful organizations throughout the country to present the latest in leadership theory and team development to a new generation of Scout leaders.
The purpose of Wood Badge is to help you understand how to run a quality program and to enable the Scouts you serve to grow to their greatest potential.
Delivered by a passionate team of trainers, you will see how the five themes of Wood Badge unfold:
- Living the Values
- Growing
- Connecting
- Guiding, and
- Empowering
These themes can be applied in your role as a Scouter, as well as your personal and professional life. You will deepen your appreciation for Scouting’s heritage and develop a vision of the role you will play in its future.
What should I expect?
Throughout the training, you will enjoy the enthusiastic presenters, learn through games and role-playing, have a blast building a hands-on project with your small group, and experience many inspirational moments over the course of two weekends (five days total).
You will build a strong network within the Scouting program and be presented with a wide range of leadership topics, including:
- Situational leadership
- Leveraging diversity
- Communication
- Project planning
- Leading change
- Problem solving
- Managing conflict
- Coaching & mentoring
After the first weekend (Friday-Sunday), each attendee writes a set of Scouting-related goals called the ticket. These goals define your vision and outline a plan of action for the next 18 months. Working on these goals provides an immediate return on your investment.
When you complete your ticket, you will receive your training award: a Wood Badge neckerchief, a leather woggle (neckerchief slide), and a set of Wood Badge beads. These items identify you as someone who has completed this advanced training and serve as a reminder of your ongoing commitment to service and Scouting.
Who can attend Wood Badge?
The training is open to adult leaders in the Scouting program areas—Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing—as well as council and district leaders. This includes assistant leaders and committee members. This includes assistant leaders and committee members.
All leaders are encouraged to attend Wood Badge. There is no minimum tenure requirement.
You must:
- Be registered as an adult leader in the Scouting program and active in a Cub Scout pack, Scout BSA troop, Venturing crew, or in a district or council position.
- Have completed position-specific training for your current position.
- Have completed the outdoor skills training programs appropriate to your Scouting role.
- Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment and have a BSA medical form valid through the end of the course.
Financial assistance is available upon request.
Bring your Scouting spirit and a desire to learn and grow in your knowledge of Scouting and yourself. It will be a great experience!
Uniform
The Wood Badge training course is a uniformed activity. The uniform you wear will be the official field uniform (Class A) for your registered position in Scouting. The field uniform includes a Scout shirt, Scout pants or shorts, Scout socks, and a Scout belt. An activity shirt will be provided as part of your course fee. Please make sure all patches and insignia are correctly placed on your uniform.
Medical forms
Although not strenuous, the training is fast-paced with many activities in a camp setting. All participants must provide a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record with Parts A, B, and C (annual physical) completed.