What is Wood Badge?

Simply stated, Wood Badge is advanced leadership training for adult scout leaders.

Baden-Powell took the first steps in training Scouting’s adult leaders by organizing a series of lectures. The first Wood Badge training was held in 1919 at Gilwell Park, near London. Since then, Wood Badge has continued to evolve to meet Scouting’s needs. Wood Badge focuses on preparing adult leaders to deliver the mission of Scouting.

Wood Badge Training Program

• Learn contemporary leadership concepts and discover how these apply to our value-based program
• Understand Scouting as a family of interrelated programs providing age appropriate activities for youth
• Revitalize your commitment to Scouting, sharing in an inspirational experience

Wood Badge Themes

By attending Wood Badge, the participants will internalize the five themes of Wood Badge:  Living the Values, Growing, Connecting, Guiding, Empowering.

Wood Badge Presentation

Wood Badge is presented in two phases. The first part of the program is the practical phase. This consists of five days over two weekends at camp (all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday of the first weekend, and all day Saturday and Sunday of the second weekend) . The second part of the program, the application phase, occurs after the completion of the two weekends and consists of applying the skills you learn at Wood Badge to your position in Scouting. This phase is also referred to as “working your ticket."  Participants must attend both weekends in order to complete the course.

Who should participate?

Wood Badge is designed for Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts and Exploring Leaders at the unit level, as well as district and council leaders. The course content and leadership principles introduced during the course apply to Scouters in all leadership positions. These skills provide common a leadership foundation that is beneficial for all program areas. To attend a Wood Badge course, you must:

• Be a registered adult member of Scouting America, Aloha Council. (There is no minimum tenure requirement.)
• All adult leaders must complete Leader Specific Training for their primary registered position. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters.
• Successful completion of the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record is required for all participants (parts A, B and C). No exceptions, this is a National requirement for all events that are longer than 72-hours (this is a 5-day/120 hours program).  If you are unable to accquire an appointment with your Primary Care Physician prior to course, you may use a facility such as MinuteClinic at CVS.  Depending on your health insurance, this may have an out-of-pocket cost higher than at your Primary Care Physician's office.  

2026 Wood Badge Course Fees, Dates and Location:

Location:  Camp Pupukea, Haleiwa, Oahu (59-780 Pupukea Road)

Dates: 

1st weekend:  Friday, August 21, 7 am to Sunday, August 23, 2026, 5 pm

2nd weekend:  Saturday, August 29, 7 am to Sunday, August 30, 2026, 5 pm

*Cost:

Early Bird fee (March 15 - April 15):  $400 per adult

Regular fee (April 16 - June 15):  $450 per adult

Late fee (June 16 - July 15):  $475 per adult

Financial assistance is available to all scouters interested in attending Wood Badge.  Course fees are reimbursed after course completion (attendance at both weekends required).  You must register online and pay in full to secure your spot on the course.

*Off-Island scouters:  Course fee does not include airfare/groud transportation.  Financial assistance is available for course fees AND airfare up to $160 per person.  Course fees and airfare are reimbursed after course completion.  Please contact staff advisor Lokahi Molale at lokahi.molale@scouting.org if you have any questions. 

How to apply for financial assistance:

If you are interested in applying for financial assistance,once you complete the online course registration and paid in full, you may submit a request at Docusign PowerForm Signer.  If you are applying for course fees and airfare, you must submit 2 separate requests.  You will be required to submitted copies of original receipts for airfare once the course is completed to receive your reimbursement up to $160.  Assitance for course fees and/or airfare is awarded and provided as reimbursement upon successful completion of the course (2 weekends).

Cancellation Policy:

In all programs offered by the Aloha Council, Scouting America, a great deal of planning and purchasing takes place well in advance. These plans include, but are not limited to, staff, food, program materials, patches and awards, rental and purchase of equipment, and in some cases, items of clothing such as T-shirts that are given as part of a program fee.

When an individual or group make a reservation for an activity or program, these items are included in ordering of materials and staffing for that event.

Refunds: Individuals or groups that cancel a program reservation 30 days prior to the date of the event will receive a refund of fees paid, less a 15% administrative charge. No refunds will be made after the 30 day cancellation deadline.  Any requests for cancellations/refunds less than 30 days are on a case by case basis.

All cancellations must be submitted via email to camping104@scouting.org