Wood Badge is the ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters in all aspects of the Scouting America, 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 Scouting America, and ensure our youth are 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 course begins with five full days of group training usually held over two weekends - the first weekend is Friday through Sunday, and the second is Saturday and Sunday.
- The second part of the course requires participants to apply the skills they learned by completing a five-part plan (aka., ticket) over the following 18 months, leading towards the individual participant’s vision of a better Scouting future.
Requirements for attending Wood Badge:
- Be a registered member of Scouting America and age 18 or older.
- Have completed the basic position-specific training courses for your Scouting role.
- 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 including the physical.
Individuals who have attended Wood Badge, a different version of Wood Badge training, or who did not complete the course may attend Wood Badge provided that (1) they agree to write and work a Wood Badge ticket; and (2) they agree not to wear Wood Badge beads while they are attending the course.
Registration
The registration fee is $325 for courses during 2024. Registration for courses during 2025 will be $350. This fee covers meals and training materials. A minimum (non-refundable) deposit (25%) is due with registration, and then full payment is due 45 days before the start of the course. Wood Badge courses are 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. Payment is made online with a credit card or electronic check. (Finance Assistance Request; Council Refund Policy)
Course
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Dates
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Participant Registration
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24-2 |
Weekend 1: October 11-13, 2024 (begins Friday at 7 am, ends Sunday at 5:15 pm), and
Weekend 2: October 26-27, 2024 (begins Saturday at 7:30 am, ends Sunday at 4:20 pm)
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Register |
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25-1 |
Weekend 1: March 21-23, 2025 (begins Friday at 7 am, ends Sunday at 5:15 pm), and
Weekend 2: April 5-6 (begins Saturday at 7:30 am, ends Sunday at 4:20 pm) |
Register |
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Course Format
The course is held over two weekends at Camp Strake (2020 Camp Strake Rd., Coldspring, TX 77331). The first weekend will be staying in air conditioned cabins (shared 2 per cabin) and the second weekend is a one night camping activity where the participants provide their own tent and other personal camping equipment. During the first weekend, all meals are provided. During the second weekend, participants cook their own meals with food and cooking gear provided by the Wood Badge patrols (participants).
Wood Badge Fleece Jacket
Purchase a special keepsake to preserve the amazing Wood Badge experience and wear it proudly! Current and past participants of Wood Badge may order a jacket. Jackets are black, 100% spun soft polyester fleece (non-pill finish surface) with front-zip pockets. The lightweight jacket is comfortable and highly breathable. The Wood Badge logo is embroidered on the left-front side of the jacket; the logo is not course-specific.
Beginning March 2024, jackets and other Wood Badge items will be available for sale at the Camp Strake Trading Post during Wood Badge course weekends.
Wood Badge Staff
The Wood Badge course staff members contribute to the growth of each participant, the strength of all the participants' units, and the improvement of all those units' communities. The staff members, therefore, make a big difference in the lives of many people. Staff members also benefit directly by growing in leadership and in an understanding of Scouting. Staffers make new friends -- serving together on Wood Badge creates a deep bond. Moreover, the Wood Badge program is very rich, so every time you staff, you learn more about what it offers. If you are interested in serving on Wood Badge staff, please complete an application.
Wood Badge Staff Application