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 Wood Badge is to demonstrate as practically as possible the aims and methods of Scouting. The course is a multi-faceted presentation of leadership skills, organizational tools and participatory activities based on the best of Scouting traditions and the latest in team-development theory.

Saturday, October 11  8:00 a.m. - Monday, October 13, 2008 4:00 p.m. and
Saturday, November 1  8:00 a.m. - Monday, November 3, 2008 4:00 p.m.
(Both weekends required.)

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

Alpine Scout Camp in Alpine, New Jersey

Wood Badge Application Form  [PDF, 668K]
Medical Form, Class 3  [PDF, 36K]

Cost
The course fee is $225, which includes training materials and all meals from Saturday breakfast through Monday lunch on both weekends. A $100 deposit is required to hold a place in the course. Your initial payment must be accompanied by the application. The $125.00 balance of the fee is due by September 11, 2008. The course has room for only 48 participants. If you are thinking of taking NE-II 179, please 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.

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

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.

Course Uniform
All participants are required to wear a uniform. Scouters will need a complete field uniform for the program in which they are registered. This should include shirt, pants, or shorts with the appropriate socks and belt. Information on other clothing and equipment needs will be provided to each registered participant prior to the course

Recognition
Successful completion is noted by the awarding the a certificate, a distinctive Wood Badge neckerchief, Woggle and the Wood Badge Beads…two wooden beads worn on a leather thong around the neck.

More Information
For more information, please contact Course Director Helen McGuire at mcguire179yahoo.com, or 914-533-2510. You may also contact Charlie Rogers at crogers or 914-773-1135, ext. 231.