Bay-Lakes Council 100^th Anniversary Wood Badge Reunion

Bear Paw Scout Camp
Mountain, Wisconsin
September 18-22, 2019

Soon after founding the Scout movement, Robert Baden-Powell saw the need for leader training. Early Scoutmaster training camps were held in London and Yorkshire. Baden-Powell wanted practical training in the outdoors in campsites. World War I delayed the development of leader training, so the first formal Wood Badge course was not offered until 1919. Gilwell Park, just outside London, was purchased by William Dubois MacLaren and donated specifically to provide a venue for the course and the Opening Ceremonies were held on July 26, 1919. Francis Gidney, the first Camp Chief at Gilwell Park, conducted the first Wood Badge course there from September 8-19, 1919. It was produced by Percy Everett, the Commissioner of Training, and Baden-Powell himself gave lectures. The course was attended by 18 participants, and other lecturers. After this first course, Wood Badge training continued at Gilwell Park, and it became the home of leadership training in the Scout movement.

Bay-Lakes Council will be commemorating the 100^th Anniversary of Wood Badge by holding a Wood Badge Scouter Reunion at Bear Paw Scout Camp, Mountain, WI, September 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2019. Wood Badge trained Scouters from the Bay-Lakes Council are invited for as much of the Anniversary Encampment as they can attend. 

It is important to clarify what the reunion will or will not be. What this Reunion will not be is a Disney Experience with concierge service. Foremost, we realize that we are inviting Scouters who have prepared themselves through Scouting to participate in a Wood Badge course and so we know that the participants are not novice campers. As far as what the Reunion is, please see the attached schedule. 

The committee will arrive on Tuesday for a camp/program set up. Wednesday, we will begin with Scottish Highland Games Day in honor of William Dubois MacLaren. Thursday we will spend the day at Brownsea Island with a game day reminiscent of the 1908 camp. Friday, our program begins our transition to what we are most familiar with including a variety of training sessions from both the Legacy and Wood Badge for the 21^st Century. Saturday will be a fun day; camp-wide games, a critter parade, water carnival, Dutch oven cooking, Wood Badge Choir and campfire. Scouting Magazine has committed to cover our Reunion. 

Participants will work together as part of a Program Patrol or a Service Patrol. Patrols will camp together and prepare some meals in their patrol campsites, will organize dining hall meal preparation and serve as Service Patrols and Program Patrol for various activities. The reunion is organized so that no patrol does so much that it distracts from their experience. 

Communication between the participants is paramount. Consequently, we will continue to add additional information to the Reunion site on the Bay-Lakes Council Wood Badge page. Because we are expecting 400+ registrants and because some items must be purchased well in advance. Registration will close August 15, 2019, without exception.

The registration fee for the Reunion, for all or in part, is $70.00. All registrants will receive a commemorative mug, a t-shirt and a patch. There is also an opportunity to earn the Gilwell Award by participating and completing activities during the reunion. Other trading post items will be available on-site in the Wood Badge Trading Post and camp trading post. Any remaining money from the budget will go toward future Wood Badge Scholarships. 

As much as possible we will make provisions for mobility impairment. We do not have a shuttle service. Some very limited indoor sleeping facilities are available by necessity, but be prepared for outdoor camping. Electricity will be available for CPAP machines. Campers can deliver their gear to campsites by vehicle, but no trailers or vehicles will be allowed to stay in the site.

As usual, a Boy Scout Camp Physical is expected for all participants. A copy must be sent to Health Officer Sherriee Peppin in advance so that we can prepare for any medical contingencies. A copy should also be carried on your person.

Mail a copy of your physical by September 7, 2019, to: Sherriee Peppin, 4545 Odin Lane, New Franken, WI 54229

Since many hands make light work and in the Scouting Spirit everyone attending will be asked to serve as they are needed. 

Wood Badge training has operated in the Bay-Lakes Council since 1974. We hope that many will return to meet old friends and to make new ones. If you miss this reunion, don’t worry, there will be another in the year 2119.

If you have questions, please contact: David Hirn, (920) 743-1326 or djhirn@gmail.com.

Yours in Wood Badge Scouting,

David J. Hirn

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