WOOD BADGE
Advanced National Leadership Course for Scouting Volunteers & Professionals
The Purpose of Wood Badge
The purpose of Wood Badge is to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units in achieving the mission of Scouting America.
When we accomplish the mission of Scouting, we do it in the units. Simply put, the purpose of Wood Badge is to strengthen those units.
Although the course is different today, what Baden-Powell said in 1919 still applies:
One of the purposes of Wood Badge training is to get Scouters to think about the practice of Scouting, to meet together, to exchange experiences, and to live together in the spirit of the Scout Oath.
We do many things on course, like:
- Listening
- Managing conflict
- Leading change
- Stages of team development
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Leadership for different stages
- Servant leadership
- Project planning
- And more!
These come to you in presentations, games, discussions, activities, and other methods.
What Will I Learn?
Wood Badge teaches leadership techniques in a hands-on environment which you will be able apply to your Scouting involvement and your personal life.
As a result of attending Wood Badge you will…
- View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values-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 values-based movement.
- Revitalize your commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission on an ongoing basis.
- Apply the skills you will learn from your participation as a member of a successful working team.
Why Should I Go?
You want to participate in a Wood Badge course because of things you will learn and do. Here are some of the benefits:
- Stronger units. You will make your Scouting unit — and your sons’ and daughters’ units — stronger.
- What and why of Scouting. You will have a deeper understanding of what Scouting is and why we do it.
- Experience. You will learn and experience things that will stay with you in Scouting and the rest of your life.
- Fun. You will have fun and you will meet interesting people.
- Other groups. You will make your other groups, like work, church, even family, stronger.
This course will help you better understand how all the Scouting programs tie together. It will provide you with many useful leadership tools to help enable our youth to have the best possible Scouting experience. There is no better time to attend a Wood Badge course and make a difference in your unit than when you are a Cub Scout Leader.
What are the Participant requirements?
To attend a Wood Badge course, individuals must:
- Be a registered member of Scouting America.
- Have completed the Position Specific Training courses for their current Scouting position.
- Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Form (Parts A and B.)
Wood Badge is for Scouting leaders from all areas of scouting…Cub Scout leaders, Scouts BSA leaders, Venturing leaders, Sea Scout leaders, committee members, chartered organization representatives, and interested parents/legal guardians. Wood Badge benefits anyone in a leadership position.
What are the Staff requirements?
- Must have completed the full Wood Badge experience — including the course and ticket — and received credit for course “A90” in your training record on my.Scouting.org.
- Be a registered member in Scouting America.
- Have a completed Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A and B.)
- Eligible individuals will be invited to staff by the Course Director.
Once you have been invited to staff and if you accept, you must:
- Complete Fundamentals Part 1: Science of Training
- Complete Fundamentals Part 2: Craft of Training
- Participate in all staff development sessions.
- Prepare your presentations.
- Recruit participants.
Countdown to Wood Badge 2027
WB7-212-27-1
February 19-21, 2027
March 20-21, 2027
Total Registration Fee: $250
Required at Registration: $50
Hear from Past Participants
See what your fellow Scouters had to say about participating in Wood Badge!
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