What is the purpose of Wood Badge?
The purpose of Wood Badge is to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units and America in achieving the mission of Scouting America
What is Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is an advanced, intense, experiential course on small-group leadership. There are presentations, team building activities and games, but there is no dead time – the games are all with a purpose. The course, and working your ticket afterwards, will help you make your Scouting unit stronger, and will also help you in your work, church, family, and everywhere else.
This is not a Troop leader training but is designed for Cub, Scout, Varsity, and Venturing leaders, all parts of the Scouting family. 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 home unit.
Why Wood Badge?
Leadership for Scouting – Leadership for America
Some of the benefits of Wood Badge:
- Stronger units. You will make the Scouting unit you serve — 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.
- Strengthen other team and groups. You will make your other groups, like work, church, even family, stronger.
Who May Attend Wood Badge?
To attend a Wood Badge course, individuals must:
- Be registered members of Scouting America. (Youth 18 and older may attend as long as the appropriate Youth Protection guidelines are followed. They do not need to be registered in an adult leadership role.)
- Have completed the basic training courses for their Scouting position.
- Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record form.
Where will the course be held?
This mountaintop leadership development training course will be taking place at Camp Spencer, Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation, Harford County, Maryland. (1929 Susquehanna Hall Rd, Street, MD 21154)
What are the course dates?
This course takes place over two weekends. The first weekend is Friday, May 2rd to Sunday, May 4th. Participants are asked to arrive by 7:00am on Friday morning. The second weekend is Saturday, June 7th to Sunday June 8th. Participants are asked to arrive by 7:00am on Saturday morning.
Each weekend will conclude at approximately 5:00pm on Sunday evening. Participants will be released after the closing ceremony.
What is the cost?
Course fees are set to meet the costs of the course while providing the best training environment for participants.
The course fee for 12-220-25-1 Course is $350. The full amount is due at the time of registration.
When registering online, a credit card payment must be used at the time of registration, this is the only method.
Are there prerequisites for attending Wood Badge?
Yes. You must have completed Youth Protection training and the Basic Training course for your current Scouting position. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters should also have completed the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills as this is required to be trained for your position. Other leaders are encouraged but not required to complete outdoor training appropriate to their position.
Are there any special medical requirements for this course?
You will need an Annual Health and Medical Record form, including parts A, B, & C (requires Doctor’s signature,) completed within one year of the last day of the course. You may download the form here. Please make the Course Director aware of any medical conditions or accommodations needed and include this information on the registration form where it asks for “dietary, physical, or other special needs.”
What gear do I need to bring?
A personal equipment list can be found here
What are the uniform requirements?
You will need to wear the full Field Uniform for your current position in Scouting. The field uniform consists of a Scout shirt with proper patches, Scout pants or shorts, Scout belt, and Scout socks. A course shirt and hat will be provided, additional shirts or fleeces must be ordered before the event. More information will be provided as we get closer to the course.
What if I still have questions?
Please contact our course director Frank Shannon at fcshannon81@gmail.com
Wood Badge 12-220-25-1 