WOOD
BADGE
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Meet
My Special Needs?
What is the cost of the course?
Are there any
additional costs?
WOOD
BADGE
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Meet
My Special Needs?
What is the cost of the course?
Are there any
additional costs?
Who can attend a Wood Badge cour
Wood Badge for the 21st Century is a contemporary training program for all Scouting leaders. It has been developed for adults in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing, as well as district and council leaders.
Wood Badge for the 21st Century is most beneficial when it is taken early in a Scouter’s career. The national council of the BSA recommends that all Scouters take this training within two years of registration.
Note: Individuals who have attended Wood Badge in the past
(either Cub Scout Trainers’ Wood Badge or Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge) may
attend Wood Badge for the 21st Century provided that: (1) they agree to write
and work a Wood Badge for the 21st Century ticket; and (2) they agree not to
wear Wood Badge beads until they have satisfactorily completed their Wood Badge
for the 21st Century ticket. In the
event that a waiting list is required, preference will be given to tho
What are the prerequisites for attendance?
To attend a Wood Badge cour
1) Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America. (There is no minimum tenure requirement.)
2) Have
completed basic training for the Scouting position that you will hold when the
cour
3) Have
completed the outdoor skills training programs appropriate for that Scouting
position. (Introduction to Outdoor
Leader Skills training is highly recommended for all Wood Badge cour
4) Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. Successful completion of the BSA class-3 physical is required for all participants.
As a result of attending Wood Badge, you will be able to:
1) View
Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values-ba
2) Recognize
the contemporary leadership concepts, u
3) Apply the skills you learn from your participation as a member of a successful working team.
4) 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.
The principal objective of attending Wood Badge is to learn how to apply contemporary leadership skills to your specific job in Scouting, so that you can help to deliver a high-quality program to the youth you serve. As a bonus, though, these same leadership skills are applicable outside of Scouting as well.
For
most participants, the Wood Badge experience is the embodiment of everything
that is Scouting: fun, fellowship, leadership, spirit, and teamwork. In fact, many Scouters consider Wood Badge to
be one of the highlights of their Scouting careers. Wood Badge has served as a source of training
and inspiration to thousands of Scouters.
In return, these Scouters have had a profound, positive influence on the
lives of millions of
What’s in it for my pack, troop, crew,
district, and/or council?
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. By accomplishing these goals and achieving your vision of success you will significantly strengthen the part of the Scouting program in which you are involved. By practicing and demonstrating a working knowledge of the leadership skills presented during the course you will help to provide a high-quality Scouting program for the youth whom you serve.
How many training sessions are involved?
Wood Badge training requires a significant time commitment. There are two phases of Wood Badge training: the practical phase, followed by the application phase. Successful completion of both phases is required to earn the Wood Badge beads.
The practical pha
The first weekend reflects troop meetings that would be held over a typical program month to plan for a camping activity at the end of that month. The second weekend uses that troop camping activity as its delivery model. Two patrol meetings will be held between the course weekends. Attendance at all sessions and meetings is required.
During the application phase of the course you will have up to 18 months to apply, in your specific Scouting job, the leadership skills that you learned during the practical phase.
Where will the training sessions be held?
The
two three-day weekends will be held at Quail Hill Scout Reservation
in
What materials does the cour
The course will provide you with a 3-ring binder and a metric boatload of handout materials for the various presentations. You also will receive a course mug and hat, and a daily newsletter that will provide you with invaluable information and memories of your experience.
During the first weekend the course will provide all meals and table settings (cups, plates, etc.). For the second weekend the course will provide money to each patrol for the purchase of food, within a budget that will be identified during the first weekend.
Shower facilities will be available at the pool house during both course weekends.
Oh, and let’s not forget that the course will provide you with extensive opportunities to learn, have fun, and most importantly be challenged to deliver a stronger Scouting program to the youth you serve.
On the first weekend you will be asked to bring a personal tent and gear for sleeping outdoors. If you do not own a tent and are unable to borrow one, we will need to know this so that we may make alternate accommodations available for you. Trail camping equipment will be needed for the second weekend (barring any extraordinary medical needs that you might have). Each patrol will provide the cooking and other equipment necessary for low-impact camping according to the Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
The field uniform (commonly called Class A) is required for Wood Badge. This will be the uniform that you wear for your Scouting leadership position. In all cases, insignia must be properly worn on the uniform. The activity uniform (commonly called Class B) will be worn when not wearing the field uniform. The shirt or blouse must be from a Scouting unit, activity, or function.
Additional personal items you should bring include the following:
Please leave all electronic equipment at home. If you really must have a cell phone or pager with you, we suggest that you leave it in your vehicle or at least set it to “stun” to avoid causing a distraction during the course.
What happens if I have special needs?
Any
specific personal needs such as (but not limited to) religious, diet, and medical
needs must be made known to us before the cour
Are there any additional costs?
There
are no hidden costs that you will be expected to pay. However, we will warn you that there will be
a Trading Post, which will have a variety of Wood Badge memorabilia (patches,
pins, etc.) available for purcha
Is financial assistance available?
Many scouting units and councils provide financial support to leaders who want to take Wood Badge, so if cost is a factor please check with your unit leadership or Scout Executive for information on availability.
Employers often provide financial support to attend Wood Badge in recognition that the leadership skills that you will learn are valuable in the business world as well as in Scouting.
Outside
organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the VFW offer scholarships to attend Wood
Badge. Applications for the
Finally,
the Monmouth Council offers a limited number of Wood Badge scholarships to
Monmouth Council Scouters with financial need.
For further information, plea
One of the great traditions of Wood Badge is the Ticket. The Wood Badge Ticket represents your commitment to complete a set of personal goals. The Ticket also provides a way for you to put into practice the contemporary leadership skills learned during the course weekends, and to use those skills in your home unit, district, and council.
You will start with a clear picture of what you want to do to be successful in your Scouting leadership role (i.e., to make the Scouting program better for the youth whom you serve), based on your own values. Then you will create a well-defined set of goals that will enable you to achieve that vision.
Your
Ticket is a contract with your
The bottom line is that by “working your Ticket” and applying the Wood Badge leadership skills to your specific job in Scouting you will be better able to deliver a high-quality program to the youth you serve.
When will I get my Wood Badge beads?
To “earn your beads,” you must complete your Wood Badge Ticket no later than 18 months after completion of the practical phase of the course. Your Ticket will be complete when you and your Ticket Counselor agree that you have accomplished what you set out to do.
Your recognition of completion of Wood Badge training will be presented at a time and place of your choice.
Registrations
will be accepted on a first come, first
If you’re serious about your
involvement in Scouting,
sooner or later you’ll take
Wood Badge training.
Sooner is better than later.
(Completion of
all 3 courses required for Trained strip while serving as Tiger Cub Leader)
(Completion of
all 3 courses required for Trained strip while serving as Webelos Leader)
(Completion of
all 3 courses required for Trained strip while serving as Cub Den Leader; or
Cubmaster/Asst. Cubmaster; or Pack Committee
(SM/Asst. SM
must complete all 4 courses to qualify for Trained strip, Committee
(Youth Protection Training is highly recommended)
(Completion of
all 3 courses required for Trained strip)
(Youth Protection Training is highly recommended)
(Completion of
both courses required for Trained strip while serving as COR, Commissioner,
District Committee
(Youth Protection Training is highly recommended)
Information
on all of the training cour
Updated Sept. 08, 2008