Wood Badge is Scouting's advanced leadership training course for adult leaders. Any adult involved in Scouting, whether at the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, district or council level is encourages to attend.

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.

Course Dates:
7:00 AM Saturday, October 9 through 4:00 PM Monday, October 11, 2010 and
7:00 AM Friday, October 29 through 4:00 PM Sunday, October 31, 2010
(Both weekends required.)

Plus two mandatory den/patrol meetings between the two weekends. Meeting dates and places will be chosen by your den/patrol at the first weekend.

Alpine Scout Camp in Alpine, New Jersey

Wood Badge Flyer and Registration Form  [PDF, 112K]
Medical Form, Class 3  [PDF, 36K]

Cost
The course fee is $250.00, which includes training materials and all meals from the 1st day's lunch through the 3rd day's lunch on both weekends. Please mail in the attached application and your full payment of $250.00 or a deposit of $80.00 to hold a place on the course. The $170.00 balance of the fee is due by Sept. 9, 2010. The course has room for only 48 participants. If you are thinking of taking NE VII-21, you should sign up early to hold a place.

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, combines 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 to the growth of you 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
You may attend Wood Badge if you are a registered leader in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing or serve on a District or Council level. Completion of basic specific training for your position is a prerequisite.

Two Phases of Wood Badge
There are two parts of the Wood Badge program – the practical phase and the application phase. Both must be successfully completed prior to recognition with the Wood Badge Beads.

Practical Phase: The practical phase of this training is a six-day experience consisting of living the Scouting program as a member of a Cub Scout Den, Boy Scout Patrol and a Venturing Group. Those participating are exposed to the application of leadership skills, outdoor experiences and team building as they are applied to both adults and youth members. Courses taught are based upon the best practices of today’s business world. Communications, conflict management and time management skills are taught and experienced. Through living in the Scouting atmosphere for this period of time, participants develop a great Scouting spirit and zeal for the Scouting program.

Application Phase: Here you apply the knowledge gained during the practical phase to a “ticket.” The ticket is written by the participant as goals to complete a vision. There is no minimum time that must elapse between the practical experience and the final certification. Each candidate is assigned a coach/counselor who acts as a resource, evaluator and a Scouting friend. When the counselor determines that the candidate fully understands the leadership skills and can apply them to the betterment of the Scouting program in which he or she has agreed to serve, a recommendation that recognition for completion is given.

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. Participants may wear long or short sleeve shirts and long or short pants, as desired. Female participants may also wear the B.S.A. uniform skirt or culottes. (The new uniform released in the summer of 2008 or any previous official B.S.A. uniform is acceptable.)

Physical Requirements.
There is a fair amount of strenuous physical activity in Wood Badge. If there is any question of your ability to take part, contact the Course Director before sending in an application. A current BSA medical form (dated after October 31, 2009) is required for attendance. It should be submitted by September 9, 2010. (A blank medical form will be mailed to you after receipt of your application.)

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.

More Information
For more information, please contact Course Director Greg Hofer at 718-631-3648 or gghoferhotmail.com ,or Staff Adviser Julio Garcia at 212-651-2877 or jugarciabsamail.org . Scouters from Westchester-Putnam Council can contact Les McGuire at 914-772-3030 or lesmcguireoptonline.net . You may also contact Charlie Rogers at crogers or 914-773-1135, ext. 231.

Financial Assistance
Some scholarships may be available. Contact Greg Hofer, Julio Garcia or Les McGuire for details. Call early, as some scholarships have application deadlines.