what is wood badge course

by Polly Wiegand 9 min read

Wood Badge is an adult leader training reflecting the best of a century of Scouting experience. Wood Badge draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles and successful organizations throughout the country.

What is Wood Badge training?

Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership programme and the related award for adult leaders in the programmes of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement.

How long is Wood Badge training?

5 days and 3 nightsThe training course is rich in Scouting history and tradition. Participants will spend 5 days and 3 nights learning modern leadership theories from contemporary scholars such as Ken Blanchard (author of the One Minute Manager series of books), Stephen R.

What is Wood Badge ticket?

The Wood Badge "ticket" represents each Participant's self-directed 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.

What do the Wood Badge course numbers mean?

And in reality, the code — found on every modern Wood Badge course — isn't that difficult to crack. The letter represents your Scouting region — Western, Central, Southern or Northeast. The number is your area. Then comes your council number (which you can find here), followed by the two-digit year.

How do I get my Wood Badge?

Since September 1919, volunteers in the Scouts have been awarded the Wood Badge once they have completed their leader training.

When was the first Wood Badge course?

The first Wood Badge course ran from Sept. 8–19, 1919. That's 12 days.

What is the Silver Beaver Award in Scouting?

The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council.

What are the Wood Badge patrols?

Here are the traditional Wood Badge patrol names some clipart related to each patrol.Beaver – Bobwhite – Eagle – Fox.Owl – Bear – Buffalo – Antelope.Raven – Crow – Wolf – Hawk – Panther.

What is Himalayan Wood Badge?

This was a continuous, rigorous training and camping process spread over the past 3 years, competing equivalent to men, since Scouts is Boys/Men specific. This is the qualification needed to train and send our Scout students of Std. IX & X for Rashtrapati Award.

How Do You Wear Wood Badge beads?

Wood Badge beads are always worn on a leather thong which is tied in an overhand knot. When worn with a neckerchief, the thong is placed under the shirt collar, followed by the neckerchief; thus the thong is worn under the neckerchief.

Why do you want to take a wood badge course?

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.

What is a wood badge?

Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Scouters from Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and district and council Scouters all are welcome and belong here.

What is the purpose of the wood badge?

The purpose of Wood Badge is to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units in achieving the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. When we accomplish the mission of Scouting, we do it in the units. Therefore, the short form of the purpose is, the purpose of Wood Badge is to strengthen units.

What is a wood badge?

Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership programme and the related award for adult leaders in the programmes of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement.

Where was the first wood badge training held?

The first Wood Badge training in the Netherlands was held in July 1923 by Scoutmaster Jan Schaap, on Gilwell Ada's Hoeve, Ommen. At Gilwell Sint Walrick, Overasselt, the Catholic Scouts had their training. Since approximately 2000, the Dutch Wood Badge training takes place on the Scout campsite Buitenzorg, Baarn, or outdoors in Belgium or Germany under the name 'Gilwell Training'.

What is a wood badge neckerchief?

Wood Badge neckerchief, set of three beads (training staff), and woggle. Scout leaders who complete the Wood Badge program are recognized with insignia consisting of the Wood Badge beads, 1st Gilwell Group neckerchief and woggle.

Why is the axe and log logo important?

The axe and log logo was conceived by the first Camp Chief, Francis Gidney, in the early 1920s to distinguish Gilwell Park from the Scout Headquarters. Gidney wanted to associate Gilwell Park with the outdoors and Scoutcraft rather than the business or administrative Headquarters offices. Scouters present at the original Wood Badge courses regularly saw axe blades masked for safety by being buried in a log. Seeing this, Gidney chose the axe and log as the totem of Gilwell Park.

Where is the Wood badge in the Philippines?

Today, Wood Badge courses are held at the Philippine Scouting Center for the Asia-Pacific Region, at the foothills of Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna province.

Where did the wood badge come from?

Wood Badge training in Ireland goes back to the 1st Larch Hill of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland, who conducted Wood Badge courses that emphasized the Catholic approach to Scouting. This emphasis is now disappeared since the formation of Scouting Ireland.

When was the first wood badge made?

The first Wood Badge training was organized by Francis "Skipper" Gidney and lectured at by Robert Baden-Powell and others at Gilwell Park (United Kingdom) in September 1919. Wood Badge training has since spread across the world with international variations.

What is the Wood badge?

The trademarks and logos of the Boy Scouts of America, such as the word Wood Badge® and Wood Badge logo, are protected by a 1916 act of Congress (36 U.S.C. 27) as well as by a variety of registrations with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

When will the Wood badge logo be redesigned?

Today’s Wood Badge program is contemporary and up-to-date. The Wood Badge logo has been redesigned for course use beginning in 2020 and thereafter. Use current, authentic, official logos, graphics and images to promote and support new Wood Badge courses, and related activities/events.

What to use to promote wood badges?

Use current, authentic, official logos, graphics and images to promote current Wood Badge courses and related activities/events. Other than to support related, historical content or text, avoid using old Scouting or Wood Badge logos, photographs, imagery and clip-art.

What is an axe and log?

Axe and Log. Axe and log are symbols of Gilwell Park, the home of the first Wood Badge course in 1919. Use a real axe and log (or current photos) whenever possible. Use axe and log graphics to support text about Gilwell Park, Gilwell Field and/or the early history of Wood Badge.

Where was the Wood Badge course?

Scouters were enthusiastic about the new course. "Perhaps the finest experience we have had in 35 years of Scouting was attending the Wood Badge course in New Mexico... Any man who lived nine days in a Gilwell Troop would know how a troop is operated." The new Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of America, Arthur A. Schuck, was a training enthusiast. He felt Wood Badge would be a great opportunity to train selected men who could return to their local councils and train others. Schuck was so enthusiastic about the Wood Badge course that he was responsible for sending invitations using his signature from his office to every participant.

What is a wood badge?

Wood Badge in the United States is the highest level of adult Scout leader training available. The first Wood Badge course was presented in England by the founder of Scouting, Baden Powell, and he introduced the program into the United States during a visit in 1936.

How long did the Boy Scouts study the White Stag program?

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Boy Scouts spent more than five years studying the White Stag program before implementing a version of the program that included adaptations of the eleven competencies, but excluded the program's symbolism, spirit and traditions. All subsequent revisions have been implemented in two years or less. The actual usefulness and practical effect of Wood Badge training in the United States has never been measured. The Boy Scouts of America wrote in its A History of Wood Badge in the United States that:

When will the Centennial Wood badge be released?

In early 2018, two Wood Badge Centennial Update national pilot courses at Sea Base and Philmont field tested the revised Wood Badge program, due for rollout in Fall 2019 and implementation nationwide in 2020.

When was the Wood badge course pilot tested?

National pilot-tests begun. The Wood Badge course was pilot-tested still further in 1971 at Philmont, the five test councils, and in every national region excepting Region 8. In 1972, after five long years of testing and experimentation, the official new Wood Badge Staff Guide was published.

Where did Wilson teach Wood Badge?

During May 1936, he conducted two Wood Badge courses at Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation. Wilson had been told to "follow the book" as it was done in England, which he faithfully did, including the English menu with dishes like boiled leg of lamb and boiled ham.

Who wrote the Wood Badge guide?

In January 1967, John Larson, along with Bob Perin, Assistant National Director of Volunteer Training, were tasked with working with Dr. Bánáthy to write a new Wood Badge staff guide focusing on the White Stag leadership competencies.

When did the BSA start wood badge courses?

1948: First official BSA Wood Badge courses held, one at Schiff and one at Philmont. Scouting legend William “Green Bar Bill” Hillcourt serves as Scoutmaster at both nine-day courses. 1948-1958: Mostly national courses conducted, all run with oversight of the BSA’s Volunteer Training Division.

How many chapters are there in The Wood Badge?

The Wood Badge story has two chapters. Chapter 1: The experiential course, which takes place over one six-day week or two three-day weekends and includes leadership classes, games, activities and plenty of meaningful conversations.

What is role playing in scouting?

The role-playing means that rather than click-click-clicking through an online training course or paging through a two-dimensional handbook, adults who attend Wood Badge experience Scouting fundamentals by living them.

Who is the leader of the Wood Badge Scoutmaster?

A split second before shouting something to the entire troop, the Wood Badge Scoutmaster has a better idea. He walks over to Senior Patrol Leader Bill Hemenway, whispers in his ear and takes two large steps backward. Stone smiles as Hemenway clears his throat.

Can you blame Scouts for vacation?

Can’t really blame them, though. They’re the target. But for a vacation that tests your limits, gives meaning to your time spent in Scouting and makes your job as a leader easier, just say yes to Scouting’s pre-eminent training course for adults.

Is Wood Badge an adult only program?

The youth leaders run the program while Scoutmasters like Stone provide backup. Wood Badge, though, necessitates a temporary and essential exception to that rule. This is an adults-only affair, so grown-ups play all the parts.

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Overview

Scout leader training course

Soon after founding the Scout movement, Robert Baden-Powell saw the need for leader training. Early Scoutmaster training camps were held in London and Yorkshire. Baden-Powell wanted practical training in the outdoors in campsites. World War I delayed the development of leader training, so the first formal Wood Badge course was not offered until 1919. Gilwell Park, just outside London, wa…

Insignia

Scout leaders who complete the Wood Badge program are recognized with insignia consisting of the Wood Badge beads, 1st Gilwell Group neckerchief and woggle.
The Gilwell woggle is a two-strand version of a Turk's head knot, which has no beginning and no end, and symbolizes the commitment of a Wood Badger to S…

International training centers and trainers

Other sites providing Wood Badge training have taken the Gilwell name. The first Australian Wood Badge courses were held in 1920 after the return of two newly minted Deputy Camp Chiefs, Charles Hoadley and Mr. Russell at the home of Victorian Scouting, Gilwell Park, Gembrook. In 2003, Scouts Australia established the Scouts Australia Institute of Training, a government-registered National Vo…

External links

• Scouts Australia Institute of Training Site