Wood Badge Course

hosted by
Michigan Crossroads Council

Special Session – No Sundays

This course has been specially arranged to accommodate those whose religious beliefs make it difficult to attend Scouting training on Sunday. The course is open to all qualified Scouters regardless of religious preference.

Session #1: September 22 - 24, 2016

Session #2: October 13 – 15, 2016

Camp Teetonkah | 3710 Burkhart Road | Jackson, MI 49201

Both sessions begin THURSDAY at 8:00 a.m. and end SATURDAY at 5:00 p.m.

Attendance at both sessions is required.

Wood Badge Training Course

Wood Badge is Scouting's premier training course. It's the ultimate leadership training experience designed to meet the leadership needs for all Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and leaders as well as council and district leaders and Scouting professionals.

Lord Baden-Powell originally designed it so that Scouters could learn, in as practical a way possible, the skills and methods of Scouting in the setting of a model troop. It is, first and foremost, learning by doing. It is also loaded with FUN and fellowship, just as Scouting should be… a game with a purpose. Upon successful completion of the course, the participant receives a certificate and the Wood Badge - two wooden beads worn on a leather thong around the neck, a recognition begun by Baden-Powell.

Wood Badge has evolved into the core leadership skills training course for the BSA. The Wood Badge course focuses on strengthening every volunteer's ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults and is less focused on outdoor skills, which are more effectively addressed in other courses. It is a team-based, advanced leadership program that combines the best of Scouting traditions with contemporary leadership concepts recognized in leading business and government organizations. Wherever Scouting exists in the world, Wood Badge training is utilized and respected. It truly has a global reach.

For many Scouters, Wood Badge has become the highlight of their Scouting career. It is often described as a mountaintop experience that can forever change their perspective and expand the effectiveness of their leadership capacity.  This empowers them to truly make a difference for the youth and community they serve.

Learning Objectives

As a result of attending Wood Badge training, participants will be able to do the following:

View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values-based programs that provide age-appropriate activities for youth.
Recognize the contemporary leadership concepts utilized in corporate America and leading government organizations that are relevant to our values-based movement.
Apply the skills learned from their participation as members of a successful team.
Revitalize their commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission on an ongoing basis.

Curriculum and Leadership Skills

Wood Badge training consists of two parts - a practical phase and an application phase. The practical phase is conducted as a troop in a camping setting. Here leadership skills can be learned and practiced as part of life in a troop. The application phase happens at the conclusion of the practical phase for a period of not more than 18 months. During both phases of the Wood Badge course, five central themes are developed:

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

Course Delivery

The practical phase of the Wood Badge course reflects unit meetings and also uses a unit camping activity as its delivery model. During the course, the model Boy Scout troop will serve as the foundation for training purposes. This is done for several reasons.

The Boy Scout troop simulation provides a good framework in which to practice leadership skills introduced in the course.
Boy Scouting provides a natural bridge between the various programs in Scouting and leaders should understand the importance of transition.
It would be difficult, and most likely confusing, to simultaneously model Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing in one course.

It should be noted that although this foundation is utilized, the course content and leadership principles introduced apply to Scouters in all leadership positions and will provide a common foundation of leadership skills to be used throughout all program areas.

Who May Attend Wood Badge

Wood Badge is advanced leadership training for adult leaders in all of Boy Scouting’s program areas - Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing - as well as council and district leaders and professional Scouters. This includes assistant leaders, committee members, and “just parents” in all areas.

All leaders are encouraged to attend Wood Badge; there is no minimum tenure requirement.

Since it is advanced training, there are some important requirements. You must...

Be a registered as an adult leader of the Boy Scouts of America and be active in a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity team, Venturing crew, or a district or council position.
Have not previously attended a Wood Badge course.
Have completed Youth Protection training and basic training for the position you currently hold.
Have completed the outdoor skills training programs appropriate to your Scouting position.
Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment and have a current BSA Medical Form (Parts A, B, and C) completed (dated) 9/22/15 or later.

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Accommodations will be cabins for the first weekend and tent camping for the second weekend. 
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