Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Register for Wood Badge On-line : Click Here!

The 21st Century Wood Badge is for leaders of all Scouting programs: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Exploring, Varsity, district, and council. The course will teach you key leadership skills for adults and youth.

History of Wood Badge

On the morning of September 8th 1919, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the world Scouting movement, stepped into a clearing at Gilwell Park in Epping Forest, outside of London, England. He blew a long, sharp blast on the horn of the Greater Kudu, signaling the beginning of the first Scoutmaster’s training camp. Nineteen men dressed in shorts and knee socks assembled by patrols for the first Wood Badge training. Lord Baden-Powell gave each participant one of the beads which he had captured from the African chieftain Dinizulu. Thus did the course name develop, for its symbol was literally a badge of wood.

Course Overview

Wood Badge for the 21st century may be delivered to all Scout leaders. It has been developed for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders, as well as council and district leaders. Its focus is on leadership, not out-of-door skills.

Learning Objectives

As a result of attending Wood Badge, participants will be able to

• View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, value-based programs that provide age-appropriate activities for youth.
• Recognize the contemporary leadership concepts utilized in corporate America and leading government organizations that are relevant to our value-based movement.
• Apply the skills they learn from their participation as a member of a successful working team.
• Revitalize their commitment to Scouting by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission on an ongoing basis.
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The Wood Badge Experience

There are two phases to the Wood Badge experience. The practical phase is the two 3-day living and learning experiences on course. Here you learn leadership concepts and skills in a troop and team environment. Then you enter the application phase. During this phase, you carry out a commitment to specific tasks you designed during the practical phase. These tasks apply what you learned on course to your Scouting position in your Pack, Troop, Team, or Crew. Accomplishing these tasks will crystallize your knowledge and practical understanding of the key leadership skills.  

The first part of the new Wood Badge course reflects unit meetings, while the second part of the course uses a unit camping activity as its delivery model. The course content and leadership principles introduced apply to Scouters of all leadership positions and will provide a common foundation of leadership skills to be used throughout all program areas. 

This combination of hands-on, practical experience and application of leadership skills is an incredibly effective learning experience.

To insure your success as you learn the leadership skills, a trained Guide will be assigned to your Wood Bade patrol. Your Guide will act as a resource, counselor, and friend to assist you in understanding and applying what you learn in the course. Many Scouters consider Wood Badge a peak experience in their Scouting careers. It has served as a source of training and inspiration to thousands. Wood Badge participants positively affect the lives of millions of America’s youth. 

You are invited to experience the ultimate in Scout leadership training, organized by Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Live the magic of the Scouting program as he envisioned it. Treat yourself to this adventure!

Wood Badge 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 the participant’s commitment to complete a set of personal goals relating to that individual’s Scouting position. These goals will significantly strengthen the program in which the participant is involved. In addition, the ticket gives participants an opportunity to practice and demonstrate a working knowledge of the leadership skills presented during the course. Participants should complete their Wood Badge ticket no later than 18 months after the course.

Recognition

Upon completion of the Wood Badge ticket, as certified by a ticket counselor and the Scout executive, the participant will be presented with the Wood Badge certificate, neckerchief, woggle, and beads at an appropriate public ceremony.

Required Qualifications

Course participants must:

• Be registered as an adult Scouter in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing, District, or Council.
• Be at least 21 years old (Assistant Scoutmasters may be 18).
• Have completed basic leader training for your position.  Click here for basic leader training requirements.
• Have submitted the Acceptance Form (or register on-line) along with the deposit fee of $100.00.
• Submit a completed Annual Health and Medical Record form signed by a physician.
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Fees

A $100 deposit turned in with the application is required to hold your space in the course.  The balance of the course fee, $105 must be paid no later than July 1, 2010 ($115 if after July 1^st).  Total course fee of $205 or $215 after July 1, 2010 may be paid in full on-line or by check at any of council service centers or by mail.  Checks should be written and mailed to:

Questions?

For questions or for further information, please contact Randy Sorensen, Course Director at 208.305.9734 or by email at drsorensen@cableone.net.