Wood Badge

Wood Badge CST13-358-27

Ignite Your Leadership Potential. Transform Your Unit.

Wood Badge is Scouting America’s premier training course for adult leaders and professionals across all programs—Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouting, and Exploring.

Refined over decades of experience, Wood Badge draws upon the best in contemporary management and leadership theories used by top corporate executives and community organizations. Through an immersive combination of classroom learning and practical outdoor experience, you will gain essential skills that enhance your Scouting unit, your career, and your personal life.

Why take Wood Badge?

Wood Badge is more than just a training course—it is a life-changing experience that empowers you to become a more effective leader, team member, and mentor.

By attending Wood Badge, you will learn to:

• Lead with Vision: Define a clear purpose for your unit and guide youth and adult leaders toward shared goals.

• Build High-Performing Teams: Understand the stages of team development and how to lead groups through change and challenges.

• Master Communication: Improve active listening, feedback mechanisms, and conflict resolution skills.

• Teach & Mentor Effectively: Use structured coaching models (like the EDGE method) to empower youth to lead.

• Deliver Better Scouting: Bring renewed energy, fresh ideas, and proven management techniques back to your pack, troop, crew, or ship.

How the Course Works

Wood Badge consists of two dynamic parts:

Part 1: The Practical Experience

The practical phase takes place over two consecutive weekends (or one intensive 5-day session). As a participant, you will live as part of a patrol, experiencing the Scouting program from a participant’s perspective while attending interactive leadership modules, team-building exercises, and outdoor activities.

Part 2: The Ticket (Application)

The “Ticket” is where learning turns into action. Working with a dedicated Wood Badge counselor, you will create a personalized goal plan consisting of five specific projects designed to strengthen your home unit, district, or council. You have up to 18 months following the practical course to complete your ticket goals and earn your Wood Badge recognition (the iconic wooden beads, leather neckerchief slide, and tartan neckerchief).

Who Should Attend?

Wood Badge is open to all registered adult leaders who meet the following requirements:

• Be a registered adult member of Scouting America (aged 18 or older).

• Complete the basic training required for your current Scouting position.

• Complete current Youth Protection Training (YPT).

• Submit a completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A, B, and C) signed by a licensed physician.

• Attend both course weekends — see course flyer for date/times.

(No prior advanced outdoor skills are required—Wood Badge focuses on leadership, communication, and team management!)

Upcoming Courses