PURPOSE: Wood Badge is the Boy Scouts of America’s advanced training course for all registered adult leaders, whether they are involved with Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, are district/council volunteers, or professional Scouters.

QUALIFICATIONS: Each participant must be a registered adult leader and have completed Youth Protection Training and the Leader Specific Training appropriate to his/her position in Scouting. Attendance at all six course days is required. Because of the advanced nature of Wood Badge, these requirements WILL NOT be waived.

COST: The course fee is $250.00, which covers the cost for training materials and all meals for both weekends. A deposit of $50.00 is required to hold a place on the course. Your payment must be submitted with the completed application.

CURRICULUM: Wood Badge is conducted using a two-weekend (3 days each) format. It consists of two parts, a practical phase and an application phase.

1. THE PRACTICAL PHASE: This phase is conducted as a troop where participants are assigned to dens (later to be called patrols) and are introduced to the Wood Badge concept and its five central themes:

• Living the Values
• Bringing the Vision to Life
• Models for Success
• Tools of the Trade
• Leading to Make a Difference

During the practical phase, all participants will take part in a series of dynamic team (patrol) activities and projects, and observe superb skills presentations by outstanding Wood Badge staff members. All of this leads each participant to the development of a “ticket.” The ticket is a well-written plan describing how the Scouter intends to apply the skills and knowledge gained during the course to specific goals and objectives in his/her role in the Scouting program.

2. THE APPLICATION PHASE: The concept of “working the ticket” is the application phase of Wood Badge and is completed at home in the participant's primary Scouting position. A “Ticket Counselor” from the council is appointed to each participant to provide assistance and guidance as the ticket is completed. Each participant has up to eighteen (18) months after the practical phase to complete the application phase and meet the goals and objectives as set forth in the ticket.

RECOGNITION: Upon successful completion of the ticket, the participant is entitled to receive special recognition, which consists of the Wood Badge beads (two wooden beads on a leather thong), a mauve neckerchief, a leather woggle (neckerchief slide), and a course certificate. Recognition items not only identify a Scouter who has completed advanced training, but also remind the recipient of an ongoing commitment to continued service to Scouting.

COURSE LOCATION AND TIME: The practical training part of the course is held at the Donald W. Reynolds Scout Training Center at Gus Blass Scout Reservation located in Damascus, Arkansas during two mandatory three-day weekends.

• Weekend 1: 8:00 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2019 through 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2019
• Weekend 2: 8:00 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2019 through 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2019

COURSE LODGING & EQUIPMENT: Course participants will sleep in Donald W. Reynolds Scout Training Center the first weekend of the course and will enjoy meals prepared by the Quartermaster Staff. During the second weekend, participants will sleep in their own tents and be given the opportunity to prepare their own meals as a patrol with all food being provided. All participants are strongly encouraged to camp with their patrols, however participants with special needs that preclude them from camping will have access to accommodations in the Donald W. Reynolds Scout Training Center.

UNIFORM: Field uniforms are worn at breakfast, dinner, flag ceremonies,& special events. Scouting activity shirts or course t-shirts may be worn at other times.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: There is limited physical activity in the Wood Badge course. However, if there is any question of your ability to take part, please get in touch with the Wood Badge Course Director before submitting your application. A current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record is required for attendance and is available for download as an attachment on this page.

COURSE SIZE: Limited to the first 48 paid participants so early registration is recommended. Those registering after the course is full will be placed on a waiting list.