What is Wood Badge?Wood Badge is leadership training for all scout leaders including Cub Scouters, Boy Scouters, Varsity Scouters and Venturing Advisors along with all levels or BSA professional staff. This course draws on the leadership skills developed by the Boy Scouts of America as well as on current leadership and team development models used by corporate America. As a participant in this course, you will learn and develop leadership skills that will enhance your ability to "Deliver the Promise" of scouting to your youth membership by learning about:
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Wood Badge historyIn 1911, Baden-Powell took the first steps in training Scouting's adult leaders by organizing a series of lectures for scouters. He made great strides in the years that followed, culminating in 1919 with the establishment of the Wood Badge training course. Wood Badge recipients now number more than 100,000 and can be found in all corners of the world. Learn More...
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About the course
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Course Format
Wood Badge consists of two phases. The first is the practical phase. This consists of two full weekends at camp plus two midweek patrol meetings between the weekends. The second, or application phase, occurs after the weekends and consists of "working your ticket". In the Application Phase, participants will use the leadership skills that were learned and developed during the Practical Phase. Each scouter will work with a Troop Guide to help them successfully accomplish the goals that they developed within a 6 to 18 month time period. |
The Ticket The primary purpose of the Wood Badge experience is to strengthen Scouting in our units, districts, and local councils. The Wood Badge "ticket" represents your commitment to complete a set of personal goals relating to your Scouting position. These goals will significantly strengthen the program in which you are involved. In addition, the ticket gives you an opportunity to practice and demonstrate a working knowledge of the leadership skills presented during the course. You should complete your Wood Badge ticket no later than 18 months after the course. |
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Uniform
The Wood Badge uniform is the uniform of your registered position and unit. You will be provided with 1 course shirt, 1 course cap, the course neckerchief and the appropriate insignia patches. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase additional shirts before and at the course. More information will follow. Again, it may be possible to borrow uniform parts from other scouters instead of purchasing them. Physical The National Boy Scouts of America requires that every participant and staff member have Parts A, B and C of the Annual Health and Medical Record completed within a year prior to the beginning of the course. This physical requires a physicians signature, so be sure to make arrangements prior the beginning of the course. Make a copy of your physical for us, and keep the original form for your records. |
Attendance Requirement
Each course weekend starts Friday at 7:00 am and ends around 5:30 pm on Sunday. To complete the course, a participant must attend the entire course on all 6 days it is presented. Prerequisite Training To attend Wood Badge, you must complete basic training in your current Scouting position. More information about training is available at the Last Frontier Council or by contacting one of the staff members. We can help you find training opportunities within and outside of your district, as well as help make sure you are completing the correct training courses. Equipment Wood Badge provides all your general Scouting equipment. You will be responsible for your personal care items, clothes, eating equipment, water bottle, sleeping accessories, and note-taking supplies. Follow this suggested personal gear list. In many cases, camping gear can be borrowed from other scouters that are not at the course to reduce the purchase of additional equipment. Remember our motto, Be Prepared. The Boy Scout Handbook provides an excellent equipment guide. |
