Wood Badge for the 21st Century is advanced leadership training designed to help Scout leaders reach their full potential and to improve the quality of their units. It is for all Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing volunteers, including top and assistant leaders and committee members, and District and Council volunteers.
Wood Badge Participants learn to:

-View Scouting globally as a family of inter-related value-based programs that provide age appropriate activities for youth.
-Recognize the contemporary leadership concepts utilized in corporate America and leading government organizations that are relevant to our value-based movement.
-Apply the skills learned from participation as a member of a successful working team.
-Revitalize their commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission on an ongoing basis.
-Keep Scouting Fun for our Youth!

The object of a Wood Badge course is to demonstrate as practically as possible the aims and methods of Scouting. The six-day course is a multi-faceted presentation of leadership skills, organizational tools, and participatory activities based on the best of Scouting traditions and the latest team-development theory. In addition, participants enjoy the fellowship of learning alongside many other volunteer and professional Scouters, and along the way will have a great deal of fun.

Information about the next Wood Badge course

September 27–29 and October 25–27, 2013
Alpine Scout Camp, Alpine, New Jersey
COURSE N2-640-13
(Both weekends required.)

Medical Examination Requirement: Each participant must submit an approved Annual Health & Medical Record form for a complete physical that was performed within one year before the final day of the course.

The Who What Where When and How of Wood Badge
Wood Badge was developed by Boy Scout founder Lord Baden Powell as a series of lectures intended to strengthen adult leaders in the Scouting movement.
Today, Wood Badge, Scouting’s advanced training course, is a leadership development program open to all Scout Leaders. The leadership skills you learn in Wood badge are not only applicable to Scouting, but also contribute to your growth as an individual
To Scout Leaders, Wood Badge training often makes the difference between offering a mere form of entertainment – or providing a program which will have a profound influence on the lives of boys and girls you serve. The Wood Badge experience teaches skills of leadership and management that enable you to become truly effective in your work with others. You as a better leader can train our youth to become better leaders.

Prerequisite
All participants must have completed at least Basic Training, which may be available online, for their primary Scouting position. Basic Training generally consists of:
• Youth Protection
• This is Scouting
• Position Specific Training
• Some positions may also require Outdoor Leadership Skills training

How is Wood Badge Presented?
Wood Badge consists of two phases. The first phase is the practical phase, which consists of two full weekends at camp, plus mid-week patrol meetings between the weekends. The second phase occurs after the weekends and consists of “working your ticket.”

What is a Ticket?
The Wood Badge “Ticket” represents your commitment to complete a set of goals related to your position in Scouting. The ticket gives you an opportunity to practice and demonstrate a working knowledge of the leadership skills presented during the course. You will complete your ticket no later than 18 months after the course.

Attendance
Participants are expected to make Wood Badge their Scouting priority during this practical phase of training. Participants must arrive before 8:00 AM on the morning each session begins and remain at the sessions until each ends, camping overnight on the second session. Participants must participate in every class and activity during each of the two sessions. In addition, participants must attend the two-intersession patrol meetings that they will arrange during the first session. Upon completion of the practical experience that participant will apply the lessons learned in their Scouting position

Living Arrangements & Equipment
On the first weekend of the course, participants will sleep indoors and meals will be prepared by the staff. The second weekend will be in an outdoor setting where participants will sleep in their own tents and cook for themselves by patrol. Food will be provided as part of the course fee. An equipment list will be mailed to you after receipt of your application.

Course Uniform
All participants should wear the uniform appropriate for their primary role in Scouting. The new uniform released in the summer of 2008 or any previous official B.S.A. uniform is acceptable.

Recognition
Upon successful completion of the ticket, participants are entitled to receive recognition, which consists of the Wood Badge beads (two wooden beads on a leather thong), a tan neckerchief, a leather woggle (neckerchief slide), and a certificate. The recognition items not only identify a Scouter who has completed advanced training, but remind the wearer of an ongoing commitment to continued service to Scouting.

Wood Badge Flyer and Registration Form