SR-898 Wood Badge 2008

Spring 2009 ?

This course has been cancelled for the fall of 2008. We are currently evaluating holding this course in the spring of 2009. If you are interested in attending this course in the spring please email the course director Jerry Wells at sr898sm@cherokeebsa.org

Camp McClintock Bartlesville, Oklahoma

What is Wood Badge Training?

Wood Badge is Scouting's premier training course for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing Leaders, as well as council and district leaders. The primary purpose of the Wood Badge experience is to strengthen Scouting in packs, troops, crews, districts, and the council.

Wood Badge for the 21st Century teaches the latest team leadership skills and gives each participant the opportunity to put their newly learned skills into practice through Baden Powell’s patrol method. It is truly a unique training program where you can learn industry recognized leadership skills, use those skills on real-world problems in a controlled environment and at the same time have loads of fun, network with other Scouters and develop lifelong friendships. The course content is divided into five themes;

Wood Badge was originally presented by Lord Baden-Powell as a means of strengthening and preserving the Scouting movement throughout the world. Since its inauguration in the United States in 1948, thousands of Scouters have participated in Wood Badge and have considered it a mountaintop experience in their Scouting Careers. Today, Wood Badge Courses provide advanced leadership development for all Scouting programs; Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture. The objective of Wood Badge is to demonstrate in a practical way the "aims and methods" of Scouting and to develop Scout spirit through a program of activities. You will live Scouting and be exposed to the application of leadership and Scouting skills as they are applied in the development of leaders and youth.

There are two parts to Wood Badge in the Boy Scouts of America: the practical course and the application period.

The Practical Course

This is a two weekend outdoor experience where you will live Scouting. The course begins at 8:00 AM on Friday morning each weekend and concludes at 5:00 PM on Sunday afternoon. The 1st weekend of the course utilizes a classroom environment and practical exercises to teach the essentials of leadership. You’ll learn what makes leadership work for you. The 2nd weekend offers classroom and outdoor experiences to help you apply the leadership skills you have learned. You must attend both weekends and participate in all sessions. In addition, you will need to attend one or more meetings your group schedules between the course weekends. Finally, you will write and complete a Ticket. The Ticket consists of five written goals. These goals connect your new leadership knowledge to your role in Scouting.

The Application Period

Now that you have learned a new set of leadership skills and practiced those skills in a controlled invironment, you will take those skills and apply them by completing the goals you have set in your Ticket. You have up to eighteen months to complete your Ticket. During this period you are assigned a Ticket Counselor who acts as a resource and a Scouting friend.

Who May Attend

You are invited to attend Wood Badge if you are at least 18 years of age and are a registered Scout leader. This includes Men and Women Scouters in a Pack, Troop, Crew, Team, District or Council position that have completed the basic training courses: New Leader Essentials and Position Specific for your scouting position in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venture, or Varsity Scouting.

Fees

The course fees are $195 if paid in full before May 30, 2008. Balances paid after May 30 will be $220. The fee covers meals for both weekends, course hat, course T-shirt, supplies, materials, camp and copyright fees.

Some dedicated Scouters may find the financial obligation of this training experience to be a true burden. Help is available through several areas. Be sure to check for this support from your unit committee, sponsoring organization, or even your employer. Do not let this keep you from attending. If you have exhausted all other options let one of the staff members know you would like to apply for a scholarship .

Uniforms

The Wood badge course is a uniformed activity. The uniform you wear will be the official Class "A" field uniform for your registered Scouting position and will include shirt, pants (or shorts), belt, and socks. A course hat will be provided.

Medicals

While wood badge is not a survival course, you will be outdoors with lots of exercise and activity.

You must have a current Medical Exam, Class III completed prior to the course.