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Learning Objectives As a result of attending Wood Badge, participants will be able to: • View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values 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 values based movement. • Apply the skills they learn from their 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. The themes that follow encapsulate the course content: • Living the Values Values, mission, and vision Aims and methods • Bringing the Vision to Life Listening to learn Communicating Giving and receiving feedback Valuing people and leveraging diversity Coaching and mentoring • Models for Success Team development model Situational Leadership • Tools of the Trade Project planning and problem solving Managing conflict Assessing team performance Managing change Celebrating team success • Leading to Make a Difference Leaving a legacy Learning the greatest leadership secret Course Delivery The first part of the Wood Badge course reflects unit meetings, while the second part of the course uses a unit camping activity as its delivery model. During Wood Badge, the model Boy Scout troop will serve as a laboratory for training purposes. This is done for several reasons: • The Boy Scout troop simulation provides a good framework in which to practice the leadership skills introduced in the course. • Boy Scouting provides a natural bridge between the various programs in Scouting, and leaders should understand the importance of transition. • It would be difficult and most likely confusing to simultaneously model Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing in one course. • The course content and leadership principles introduced apply to Scouters of all leadership positions and will provide a common foundation of leadership skills to be used throughout all program areas. Wood Badge Ticket The primary purpose of the Wood Badge experience is to strengthen Scouting in our units, districts, and local councils. The Wood Badge “ticket” represents the participant’s commitment to complete a set of personal goals relating to that individual’s Scouting position. These goals will significantly strengthen the program in which the participant is involved. In addition, the ticket gives participants an opportunity to practice and demonstrate a working knowledge of the leadership skills presented during the course. Participants should complete their Wood Badge ticket no later than 18 months after the course. Recognition Upon completion of the Wood Badge ticket, as certified by a ticket counselor and the Scout executive, the participant will be presented with the Wood Badge certificate, neckerchief, woggle, and beads at an appropriate public ceremony.
The Beginning of Wood Badge Baden-Powell took the first steps in the training of Scouters by organizing a series of lectures for Scouters in 1911. He made great strides by devising and instituting Wood Badge training in 1919. Wood Badge recipients now number more than 100,000 throughout the world. The object of the Wood Badge course is to demonstrate as practically as possible the aims and methods of Scouting. Upon successful completion of the course, the participant receives a parchment certificate and the Wood Badge—two wooden beads worn on a leather thong around the neck. These beads replicate the beads found by Baden-Powell during a campaign in Africa in 1888. They belonged to Dinizulu, an African chieftain. In searching for a suitable recognition for those who completed the first course in 1919, Baden-Powell remembered the beads and decided to present a bead to each participant. At that time, the course was called “Wood Badge.” The Wood Badge may be worn only with an official field uniform of the BSA. The Scouter to whom it has been awarded may also wear the tan neckerchief with its patch of Maclaren tartan at the back. The Wood Badge neckerchief may only be worn with the accompanying leather neckerchief slide or woggle. Wood Badge Training Gets a Permanent Home In 1919, W. F. de Bois Maclaren, a district commissioner in Scotland, purchased Gilwell Park and presented it to The Scout Association of Britain. He wanted “to provide a training ground for the officers of the Scouting movement.” Consequently, Gilwell Park became the permanent home of Wood Badge training in England and annually welcomes Scouters from around the world. The ax and log symbol associated with Wood Badge is actually the totem of Gilwell Park. Recently, The Scout Association has announced that it would relocate its headquarters from London to Gilwell Park. In 1929, at the Third World Jamboree at Birkenhead, England, Sir Baden-Powell was made a baron by his king, and became Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell. |
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