21st Century Wood Badge is the premier adult leadership development course for the Boy Scouts of America.
Wood Badge teaches contemporary leadership and team-building skills in a comfortable outdoor setting, where learners become members of their own Troop. Wood Badge’s effectiveness as an effective leadership development experience has been applauded by industry training professionals. Its positive influence on graduates’ individual unit-level program is unparalleled.
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Wood Badge Photo Tour!!
Jeff Kamprath starts a session at the SR2 facility's
Outdoor Learning Center.
Wood Badge is, first and foremost, learning by doing.
Participants in the course are formed first into a Pack, bridge over into a Troop, and finally are inducted into a Venturing Crew, just as Scouts move up through the Scouting program.The courses are open to all adult Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity, and Venturing leaders and district and council volunteers that have completed Basic Training for their position and are capable of handling the hectic, physically demanding course schedule.
Nationally famous training professionals and volunteers updated the Wood Badge syllabus in 2001 to provide the best methods to adult Scouters for teaching leadership anddelivering program to their youth. Courses now involve two 3-day weekends.
How much time will Wood Badge take?
Wood Badge is conducted over two, three-day weekends scheduled about three weeks apart. Each weekend begins at 8 a.m. Friday. Your patrol will have one or two meetings scheduled at your convenience between weekend sessions.
When and where is Wood Badge?
The Longhorn Council offers three Wood Badge courses every year. The course are held at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch near Bridgeport and Camp Tahuaya near Temple.
How will Wood Badge help me?
Wood Badge will teach you outdoor skills and leadership techniques in a ‘living,’ hands-on environment, and you will be able to apply all you learn to your Scouting involvement and your personal life. You’ll develop a Ticket, which is a written agreement outlining how you will apply your newly learned skills as you continue your involvement in Scouting. Development of your Ticket is an exercise in goal-setting and includes creating a personal vision and mission statement and outlining individual steps to personal success.
How do I get my beads?
You’re probably seen other Scouters wearing their Wood Badge beads. When you success-fully complete your Ticket, some of your Wood Badge staff members will present you with your Wood Badge beads, a tan neckerchief with the famed MacLaren tartan, a leather ‘woggle’ (neckerchief slide) and a special Wood Badge certificate.
What!? Indoor facilities?
New showers, dressing rooms and restrooms at Camp 10 (behind Gilwell Hall) await Wood Badge participants (Thanks Coy!).
Both camps offer multiple, private showers, dressing rooms (with electricity and mirrors!) and indoor restrooms with flush toilets. And you’ll be able to enjoy air-conditioned Gilwell Hall, our indoor learning facility at Sid Richardson. To help keep you in the Scouting spirit, you’ll be sleeping on cots in platform-mounted wall tents.
What do I eat?
You’ll be welcomed the first weekend with a delectable outdoor spread prepared by our friendly quartermaster staff. The following weekend, your patrol will return the favor by hosting Wood Badge staff members in your campsite. If you have any dietary restrictions, please tell your Wood Badge Course Director before the first weekend, and we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs.
What do I wear?
Participants are encouraged to wear a full uniform.
What are the qualifications?
It’s for adult Scouters at all levels: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venture, District and Council. It's NOT just for Scoutmasters. Here are the qualifications:
• Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Complete basic training courses for your primary Scouting position (see Scouting’s Basic Leader Training Courses below).
• Complete the outdoor skills training program appropriate to your Scouting position.
• Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment.
• Successfully pass the BSA Class 3 physical.
Graduates of previous courses are NOW eligible to participate! Graduates of Wood Badge courses prior to the 21st Century Wood Badge are now eligible to participate.
What is the course registration fee?
The individual fee for attending Wood Badge includes all your meals, course materials, a Wood Badge Tshirt and those coveted Wood Badge beads.
Click here to register for Wood Badge online. Click here for the
PDF application form.
Standard Course Fee: $175
Lakeview Course Fee: $225 (7-07)
What are the Training Prerequisites?
This is Scouting (New Leader Essentials)
Leader Specific Training for all adult leaders:
• Den Leaders and Webelos Leaders
• Cubmasters
• Tiger Cub Leaders
• Pack Committee and Troop Committee Members
• District Committee Members
• Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters
• Varsity Scout Coaches and Assistant Coaches
• Venturing Advisors and Associate Advisors
Commissioner Basic Training
• District Commissioners and Unit Commissioners
Previous versions of leader training courses completed prior to June 1, 2001, will be accepted.
Outdoor Skills Training
• Required for Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Varsity Coaches and Varsity Assistants. All participants are encouraged to complete the Introduction to Outdoor Skills Training before attending Wood Badge, but it is not required.