What is Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is the premier adult leadership training program for the Boy Scouts of America. It teaches contemporary leadership and team development skills in an outdoor setting.
Why Wood Badge for the 21st Century?
Times have changed since Lord Robert Baden-Powell assembled the first Wood Badge course in 1919. Over the years, teaching methods and instructional tools have been updated to meet the needs of contemporary leaders. What has not changed is the primary focus of Wood Badge, which is leadership training.
What exactly is taught in Wood Badge?
Wood Badge has always taught leadership skills. Wood Badge for the 21st Century focuses on contemporary leadership skills and issues, integrated with Scouting's value-based philosophy. A variety of learning opportunities including lecture, demonstration, group discussion and hands-on exercise offer participants insight into contemporary leadership theory, while providing them with specific skills that they can put to use immediately in their units. Many participants have found that they can apply what they have learned in their personal and business lives as well. While learning is the primary goal of Wood Badge, fun is also an important component.
Who may attend Wood Badge?
Wood Badge for the 21st Century is open to all registered adult Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, District and Council leaders who have completed the basic training requirements generally consist of Fast Start, New Leader Essentials and Position Specific Training. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters must complete Introduction to Outdoor leadership Skills ("OLS") in addition to the above requirements.
For more details for upcoming courses and registration, visit the Middle Tennessee Council's Wood Badge page.
