Wood Badge

WHAT IS WOOD BADGE? 

Wood Badge is advanced leadership and team building training for adult leaders.  It teaches skills that are useful in scouting and elsewhere. 

Established in 1919 by Robert Baden-Powell, Scouting’s founder, Wood Badge has been the training ground for hundreds of thousands of Scouters around the world.  As the challenges in the world have changed, Wood Badge has also  evolved to give leaders  the  skills they need to  strengthen  Scouting in  meaningful  ways.

This program has been developed for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venture leaders, as well as Council and District leaders.

Wood Badge for the 21st Century focuses on leadership  -  not out-of-doors skills.

For most participants, the Wood Badge experience is the embodiment of everything that is Scouting - fun, fellowship, sharing, teamwork and spirit that lasts a lifetime.

Bringing together leaders from all areas of Scouting —  Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, Wood Badge for the 21st Century reflects the best of nearly a century Scouting experience. This course also draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles, and successful outdoor leadership organizations throughout the country.

Participants take part in numerous presentations, discussions, and activities that explore and advance a wide range of leadership philosophies and tools.  A key area of  exploration is the process of team development. By recognizing the stages through which developing teams must pass, participants will learn to apply appropriate leadership strategies that  enable teams to reach their highest levels of performance. 

There are two parts to WoodBadge training: the course itself and then the practice of the leadership skills in your Scouting  position over the next (up to) eighteen months.

This combination of hands-on, direct experience and application of leadership  
skills is incredibly effective.

HOW DOES THE COURSE WORK? 

Wood Badge is divided into a practical and an application phase.

The practical phase consists of two full, three-day weekends of instruction and two patrol meetings between those weekends.  During the practical phase you become a member of a group, share skills and knowledge and learn to become an effective team.

You will also develop a series of goals (called a ticket) that you would like to accomplish in your Scouting job during the application phase.

The application phase follows the practical course phase and allows you the time to practice and become proficient in the use of the leadership and team building skills you've learned.

Once you have accomplished your goals (ticket) to your satisfaction and that of your assigned counselor, the Wood Badge regalia will be awarded.

WHAT IS A TICKET? 

During the course you will be asked to set a number of ticket/goals that will significantly strengthen the program in which you are involved.  The ticket is simply an agreement you make with yourself and your ticket counselor, to put the skills you've learned during the course into action.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE? 

Wood Badge takes six full days (two 3-day weekends) for the practical phase, plus two patrol meetings.  A pre-course meeting may also be scheduled.    All meeting dates are mandatory for completion of the course.  Following the practical application, participants have 18 months to complete their ticket.

COURSE DATES 

8:00 AM Friday morning - 6:00 PM Sunday evening, September 5-7, 2008
8:00 AM Saturday morning - 6:00 PM Monday  evening,  October 3-5, 2008

Patrol meetings scheduled by patrols between weekend dates.

COST 

$250 (includes materials and meals).  A $50 deposit is required with application, balance by June 15.
A $25 discount will be applied if paid in full ($225) before May 15.  No applications will be accepted after June 15.

WHO CAN ATTEND 

All leaders in the Scouting movement are encouraged to attend.  However, you must have completed the Basic Training for your scouting position.  You must also be at least 18 years old and be an active registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

For further information, please call Course Director Jeff Glaze at (413) 568-0949 x.111  or by  e-mailing  Woodbadge@pvcbsa.org