Wood Badge

Wood Badge is the Boy Scouts of America’s ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters in all aspects of the BSA, whether unit, district, or council level – from assistant den leaders to Scoutmasters, from Cubmasters to Venturing Advisors, from committee members to commissioners. It is a fun, energetic and inspiring course guaranteed to infuse your unit with fun and meaning – all designed to fulfill the mission of the BSA, and ensure our youth is getting everything they are promised from the program.

Reflecting the best of nearly 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. Participants can expect to develop skills in many areas, including leadership theory, team building, problem-solving, communication, project planning and more.  These skills can be taken back to packs, troops, crews and ships to help leaders guide youth in dynamic Scouting programs.  Scouters will find these skills invaluable in their business and personal lives as well.

Wood Badge consists of two parts:
 
  • The first five full days is the initial group training, usually held over two weekends – the first weekend Friday through Sunday, and the second Saturday and Sunday. 
  • The second part requires participants to apply the skills they learned by completing a 5-part plan (called a “ticket”) over the following 18 months, leading towards the individual participant’s vision of a better Scouting future.
 
Requirements for attending Wood Badge:
 
1.    Be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America and age 18 or older.
2.    Have completed the basic position-specific training courses for their Scouting role.
3.    Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record. Parts A, B, and C are required which includes a physical. Part C is required for everyone, including people who are not present for more than 72 hours.
 
A minimum (non-refundable) deposit is due with registration, and then full payment is due 45 days before the start of the course.  Each Wood Badge course is limited to 48 participants. Per national guidelines, any course not having 30 fully paid participants 30 days prior to the start of the course is subject to cancellation.
 
QUESTIONS?
For information about specific courses, contact the Course Director listed on the registration page.