Program Information
Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to registered Scouting volunteers and professionals. Adult leaders from Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouting, plus district and council Scouters are all are welcome and belong at Wood Badge.
What is Wood Badge?
This is an adult leader training reflecting the best of a century of Scouting experience. It draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles and successful organizations throughout the country.
This training started when Baden-Powell realized that Scouting could only offer the best youth program if the organization had the best trained leaders. The first training was offered in 1919 as a way to ensure that the leaders of Scout troops were properly trained. Wood Badge has been held worldwide since that time to provide advanced leadership training to thousands of Scout leaders.
Wood Badge builds upon the best traditions and experiences of the Boy Scouts of America draws from a wide range of courses within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development. Scouters around the world recognize and bond over their experiences.
Who Should Attend?
Wood Badge is designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of all Scouters, particularly unit level Scouters, such as Cub leaders, Scoutmasters and assistants, Venturing Crew Advisors, Committee Chairs and members. Additionally, Scouters serving at the district and council levels can achieve greater effectiveness.
To attend a Wood Badge course, individuals must:
Be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. The leader must complete the basic training courses for their Scouting position. Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record form, be current with YPT, and have a basic understanding of the Scouting program.
Why Attend?
The simple answer is that every Scout deserves the best experience possible. The skills learned in this training, the friends made, and the “tools” acquired will make the attendee a better leader if applied properly. This is not a Troop leader training but is designed for all Cub, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Venturing leaders, and district/council leaders. This course will help leaders better understand how all the Scouting programs tie together. It will provide many useful leadership tools to help enable youth to have the best possible Scouting experience. There is no better time to attend a course and make a difference. This training is the best way to make the best of one’s time in Scouting.