Wood Badge
Discover the Leader in You!
September 12-14, 2025
Schiff Scout Reservation
Wading River, NY
October 4-5, 2025
Schiff Scout Reservation
Wading River, NY
Brochure
Register Here
Contact :
|
Art Woodard Course Director (516) 557-3604 |
Zachary Montenero Professional Advisor (516) 797-7600 ext 113 |
What is Wood Badge:
Wood Badge is Scouting’s premier training course. It’s the ultimate leadership training experience designed to meet the leadership needs for all Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Sea Scout, and Venturing leaders as well as Council leaders and Scouting professionals.
Lord Baden-Powell originally designed it so that Scouters could learn, in as practical a way possible, the skills and methods of Scouting. It is first and foremost, learning by doing.
Wood Badge has evolved into the core leadership skills training course for Scouting America. The Wood Badge course focuses on strengthening every volunteer’s ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults and is less focused on outdoor skills, which are more effectively addressed in other courses.
History of Wood Badge
Baden-Powell took the first steps in the training of Scouters by organizing a series of lectures for Scouters in 1911. He made great strides by devising and instituting Wood Badge Training in 1919. Wood Badge recipients now number more than 100,000 throughout the world.
The object of the Wood Badge course is to demonstrate, as practically as possible, the aims and methods of Scouting. Upon successful completion of the course the participant receives a certificate and the Wood Badge – two wooden beads worn on a leather thong around the neck. These beads replicate the beads found by Baden-Powell during a campaign in Africa in 1888. They belonged to Dinizulu, an African chieftain. In searching for a suitable recognition for those who completed the first course in 1919, Baden-Powell remembered the beads and decided to present a bead to each participant. At that time, the course was called Wood Badge.
The Wood Badge may be worn only with the official field uniform of Scouting America. The Scouter to whom it has been awarded may also wear the tan neckerchief with its patch of MacLaren tartan at the back. The Wood Badge neckerchief may only be worn with the accompanying leather neckerchief slide or woggle.
Learning Objectives
As a result of attending Wood Badge training, particpants will be able to
- 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.
- Apply the skills they learn from their participation as a member of a successful working team.
- Revitalize their 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.
Cirriculum and Leadership Skills
Wood Badge training consists of two parts – a practical phase and an application phase. The practical phase is conducted as a troop in a camping setting. Here leadership skills can be learned and practiced as part of life in a troop. The application phase happens at the conclusion of the practical phase for a period of not more than 18 months. During both phases of the Wood Badge course five central themes are focused on and developed:
- Growing
- Connecting
- Guiding
- Empowering
- Living the Values
Course Delivery
The practical phase of the Wood Badge course reflects unit meetings and also uses a unit camping activity as its delivery model. During the course the model Scouts BSA Troop will serve as the foundation for training purposes. This is done for several reasons.
- The Scouts BSA troop simulation provides a good framework in which to practice leadership skills introduced in the course.
- Scouting provides a natual bridge between the various programs in Scouting and leaders should understand the importance of transition.
- It would be difficult, and most likely confusing, to simultaneously model Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA and Venturing in one course.
It should be noted that although this foundation is utilized, the course content and leadership principles introduced apply to Scouters in all leadership positions and will provide a common foundation of leadership skills to be used throughout all program areas.
Who May Attend Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is advanced leadership training for adult leaders in all of Scouting’s program areas – Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouting and Venturing – as well as Council leaders. This includes assistant leaders, committee members, and “just parents” in all areas.
All leaders are encouraged to attend Wood Badge, there is no minimum tenure requirements.
Since it is advanced training, though, there are some important requirements. You must
- Be a registered as an adult leader of Scouting America, and active in a Cub Scout pack, Scouts BSA troop, Sea Scout ship, Venturing crew, or Council position.
- Have not previously attended a Wood Badge course. (One may set aside their beads and critter to become a participant again if they have taken a previous version of Wood Badge.)
- Have completed basic training for the position you currently hold
- Have completed the outdoor skills training programs appropriate to your Scouting position
Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment and have a completed medical pat A, B, & C valid through the beginning of the course.
Basic Leader Training Prerequisites
One of the requirements for taking Wood Badge is to complete the basic training requirements for your primary position prior to attending. BSA Basic Training was completely revamped in 2001, click the link below to see which basic training requirements apply to you.
Click Here for Training Requirements
Outdoor Skills Training
If you are a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster you must also complete the following training.
- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
All participants are encouraged to complete the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training before attending Wood Badge, but it is not required.
