What is Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is the premier adult training
program for the Boy Scouts of America. It teaches contemporary leadership and
team development skills in an outdoor setting. Its purpose is to aid Scouters in
providing a quality program that will enable Scouts to grow to their greatest
potential.
The course encompasses the key concepts of management from the
leaders in the management field; therefore, this course can be helpful not only
in your Scouting job, but also in your careers.
The Wood Badge course is conducted during two three-day weekends
(Friday 7:30 a.m. – Sunday 5:00 p.m.). The Wood Badge program consists of two
parts: practical training and application.
Practical leadership experiences are gained in a camp setting where
leadership and management skills can be learned and practiced as members of a
Wood Badge patrol.
At the conclusion of practical training, each participant has
eighteen months to complete the application phase (ticket) and meet all goals
they have established.
What are the course prerequisites?
Wood Badge is open to all registered adults who have successfully
completed
the basic training requirements for their primary position. This generally
consists of Fast Start, New Leaders Essentials, and Position Specific Training.
Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Varsity Coaches and Assistants must also
complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. All participants must also
complete a BSA
Class 3 Physical form.
Do I need special outdoor skills?
Since overnight tent camping and outdoor cooking will be part of
the course, some basic camping skills will be helpful but not essential.
The staff and experienced participants will help those new to the
outdoors to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
What equipment do I need?
You provide your own personal gear such as sleeping bag, backpack,
and a complete Scout uniform is mandatory (shirt, pants, socks, belt and patches
appropriate to your Scouting position). All patrol gear, tents, and cots will be
provided by the course. Once enrolled, a detailed personal equipment list will
be mailed to you.
Health and Safety
The Wood Badge training team adheres to the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Each person must have a current Class 3 Physical form before they can attend the
course. Each participant must be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor
environment. There will be a staff health and safety officer capable of
administering first aid and assisting with any health issues that may arise.
How much does it cost?
The course tuition is $220.00
per person. This includes six days of training, all meals, all instructional
material, a Wood Badge cap, neckerchief, notebook and the training award that is
presented following the completion of your ticket. Limited scholarships are
available. For more information, contact the Staff Advisor, Dennis Stamstad at (920)
734-5705 x116 or e-mail
denniss@baylakesbsa.org.
What are some of the things that I’ll be doing in Wood
Badge?
Some folks may be a little intimidated with the idea of attending
Wood Badge. They might think that Wood Badge is some sort of military-style boot
camp with harsh discipline and physical demands.
In actuality, Wood Badge is a series of fun and educational weekend
training activities that are conducted with a high degree of integrity and
personal respect. The biggest physical demands will be walking through both
camps and a few hour service project. The time constraints are tight, but only
because we pack so many great training events into the weekends.
Wood Badge activities include:
•
Putting the “Patrol Method” into practice by camping, cooking,
and working as a team.
• Camping in a patrol of up to six adult leaders.
• Learning and applying leadership techniques.
• Learning games that work well in your unit.
• Learning effective managerial skills in a classroom
environment.
• Solving problems and meeting challenges.
• Developing friendships that will last a lifetime.
