What is Wood Badge?

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.

Wood Badge training was begun by Baden Powell in 1919 as a way to insure that the leaders of Scout troops were properly trained. Since then Wood Badge has been held worldwide, providing advanced leadership training to thousands of Scout leaders.

Wood Badge builds upon the best traditions and experiences of Scouting America and also draws from a wide range of courses within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development.

Reasons to attend...

  • To be the best Scouter you can be – build knowledge, learn “the what” and “the why” of Scouting, make connections, and learn how and where you can contribute to make Scouting stronger.
  • To learn more about yourself – your strengths, wants, needs, and motivations.
  • To be a kid again – have fun and gain perspectives – experience what it’s like to be a youth in the program.
  • To learn leadership skills - The skills you learn will help you become a more effective leader in Scouting, your career, your family, and your community life.
  • To help Scouting survive and thrive – Scouting needs you! Meet others who believe in the value of the program, and the life skills that are taught.
  • So people will stop bugging you to attend Wood Badge!

Who can attend?

To attend a Wood Badge course, Scouters must:

  • Be registered adult members of Scouting America.
  • Have completed basic training courses for their Scouting position.
  • Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record forms A, B, and C.

What will you learn?

  • Mission statements
  • Listening
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Leading change
  • Goal setting
  • Stages of team development
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • Leadership styles
  • Servant leadership
  • Managing conflict
  • Project planning
  • And much more!

These come to you in presentations, games, discussions, activities, and other methods.

Cost...

2026 fees will be posted by October 2024
  • Fee is $200 per participant if registered by February 9, 2026; $235 afterwards.  $75 deposit at time of registration. 

Get registered...

    • Wood Badge - August 13-15; 21-22, 2026 (Camp Kiesel - Must attend both weekends) Register Now

Downloads...

File Name Description
Medical Form Download
Personal Resource Questionnaire Download
Pre-Course Assignment Download
What to Bring Download
Wood Badge 2024 Course Brochure Download, print and share! Download