Wood Badge

NST15-070-2023-01

Cherokee Scout Reservation

3296 Boy Scout Camp Rd., Yanceyville, NC

September 15-17, 2023 &

October 14-15, 2023

Registration closes at 11:59 pm on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

NOTE: We have achieved the 30 participants prior to 30 days before the course. The course has made! We will host this Wood Badge course. Registration is extended to Thursday. August 31 at 11:59 pm 

Required Paperwork for Everyone

• BSA Medical Form Parts A, B, & C - Due Thursday, August 31 at Pre-Course Orientation Session
• Pre-event Medical Screening Form - Due at check-in on Friday, September 15 of Weekend 1

What is the purpose of Wood Badge?

• The purpose of Wood Badge is to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units and America in achieving the mission of the Boy Scouts of America.

What is Wood Badge?

• Wood Badge is an advanced, intense, experiential course on small-group leadership.
• There are presentations, team-building activities, and games, but there is no dead time – the games are all with a purpose.
• The course, and working your ticket afterward, will help you make your Scouting unit stronger, and will also help you in your work, church, family, and everywhere else.
• You will spend five days at the Cherokee Scout Reservation learning, applying, and experiencing leadership principles known to empower participants and influence many lives for good.
• Skills include listening, leading, developing, supporting, and so much more. 
• This is not Troop leader training but is designed for Cub, Scout, Varsity, and Venturing leaders, all parts of the Scouting family.
• This course will help you better understand how all the Scouting programs tie together.
• It will provide you with many useful leadership tools to help enable our youth to have the best possible Scouting experience.
• There is no better time to attend a Wood Badge course and make a difference in your home unit.

Why Wood Badge?
Leadership for Scouting – Leadership for America
Some of the benefits of Wood Badge:

• Stronger units. You will make the Scouting unit you serve — and your sons’ and daughters’ units — stronger.
• What and why of Scouting. You will have a deeper understanding of what Scouting is and why we do it.
• Experience. You will learn and experience things that will stay with you in Scouting and the rest of your life.
• Fun. You will have fun and you will meet interesting people.
• Strengthen other teams and groups. You will make your other groups, like work, church, and even family, stronger.

Who may attend Wood Badge?
To attend a Wood Badge course, individuals must:

• Be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have completed the 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 form.
• The course is open to Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing adult leaders.
• District and Council volunteers are encouraged to attend.
• People new to Scouting are welcome to attend.
• Veteran and seasoned volunteer leaders can attend.
• Regardless of your position and tenure in Scouting, you will learn something, during Wood Badge, to make you a more effective leader.

What are the dates?

Pre-course Orientation: Thursday, August 31; 7:00 p.m. at Old North State Council Scout Service Center, 1405 Westover Terrace, Greensboro, NC

Weekend #1: Friday, September 15; 7:30 a.m. -  Sunday, September 17; 5:30 p.m. at Cherokee Scout Reservation, 3296 Boy Scout Camp Rd, Yanceyville, NC

Weekend #2: Saturday, October 14; 7:30 a.m. - Sunday, October 15; 5:30 p.m. Cherokee Scout Reservations, 3296 Boy Scout Camp Rd, Yanceyville, NC

NOTE: You must attend both weekends to complete the course.

What is the cost?

• Early Bird Rate: $300 if paid in full by 11:59 pm on July 1, 2023
• $350 if paid in full after 12:00 am on July 2, 2023
• The fee includes a course hat, neckerchief, printed materials, and food for Weekend #1. 
• Participants will purchase food for Weekend #2.
• A $100 deposit is required to reserve your spot on the course, and the final payment is due by August 15, 2023.

​What if cost is a barrier to my participation?

• We do not want the course fee to be a barrier to your participation.
• Financial assistance is available.
• Direct concerns regarding financial assistance to bud.harrelson@scouting.org.

What is the registration deadline?

• Registration is extended to 11:59 pm on Thursday, August 31. 
• NOTE: We have achieved the minimum number of 30 participants prior to 30 days before the course begins. We will host this Wood Badge course. 

Are there prerequisites for attending Wood Badge?

• Yes. You must have completed Youth Protection Training and the Leader Specific course for your current Scouting position.
• Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters should also have completed the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) as this is required to be trained for your position.
• Other leaders are encouraged but not required to complete outdoor training appropriate to their position.
• NOTE: The council offers Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) in May, August, and September, every week during summer camp, and during winter camp.
  • If you need to take IOLS, here is the IOLS registration link.
  • https://scoutingevent.com/070-iols
• Here is a list of training, by position, required to be considered fully trained.

Where will I be sleeping?
Weekend 1

• Most of the training will take place indoors in the dining hall.
• You will sleep in the adirondacks.
• Flush toilets and hot showers will be available.

Weekend 2

• Most of the training will take place outdoors.
• You will sleep by patrol in your own tent.
• You will still have access to flush toilets and hot showers.

​What about meals?
Weekend 1

• All meals are provided as part of your course fee.

Weekend 2

• Saturday lunch and Sunday lunch are included in the course fee.
• You will cook Saturday supper and Sunday breakfast with your patrol. You will provide the ingredients for these two meals.

What if I need a special diet?

• Let us know when you register by including this information in the “dietary needs” section of the registration form.
• We will do our best to work with you to meet your health or religious-based dietary needs.

​​Are there any special medical requirements for this course?

• You will need an Annual Health and Medical Record form, including parts A, B, and C completed within one year of the last day of the course.
• You may download the form here.
• Please make the course director aware of any medical conditions or accommodations needed and include this information on the registration form where it asks for “medical or mobility needs.”

​What gear do I need to bring?

• Here is the personal equipment list.

​​What are the uniform requirements?

• You will need to wear the full BSA Field Uniform for your current position in Scouting.
• The field uniform consists of a Scout shirt with proper patches, Scout pants or shorts, a Scout belt, and Scout socks.
• Cub Scout and Scouts BSA Leader Uniform Inspection Sheet
• Venturing Leader Uniform Guide
• A course t-shirt and hat will be provided, additional t-shirts will be available for pre-order. 

​What do I do with my medical form?

• Submit a paper copy of your medical form parts A, B, and C. during the course orientation on Thursday, August 31. 
• Medical forms will be returned to you at the end of the course on Sunday, October 16.

What are the COVID-19 mitigation strategies?

• Cherokee Scout Reservation follows the COVID-19 mitigation strategies required by the Caswell County Department of Public Health.

Can I pre-order additional event council strips?

• Yes, you can pre-order additional Wood Badge Course NST-15-70-23 council strips.
• Each participant and staff member receives one council strip. Others are available for purchase at $5 each. 
• The pre-order deadline is Thursday, October 12 at 11:59 pm.
• Pre-ordered council strips will be delivered on Saturday of Weekend 2.
• There is a limited supply available for pre-order. Do not wait to purchase yours.
• Pre-orders are made through your Black Pug reservation. 

If I still have questions, who do I direct questions to:

• Wood Badge Course Director Tony Bowes at Tony.Bowes@freudenberg-pm.com.
• Wood Badge Staff Advisor Bud Harrelson at bud.harrelson@scouting.org