The NEW Wood Badge

[@becochran1]

I’m signed up for my council’s fall course. Class S7-763-21! Can’t wait!

[@ScouterStan]

That is fantastic! The experience that I had at wood badge was wonderful. It made my entire scouting experience full circle. It was inspirational and very meaningful in my life. You'll also get to understand why some leaders embrace their wood badge patrol critter. Get to know your patrol guide as they will be a resource for you in the future. Have fun be open-minded and be ready to learn something new. Thank you for your feedback. YIS ⚜

[@AdamSowers]

Hi Ben. Hope you're enjoying the course!

[@becochran1]

@@AdamSowers I’m working my ticket. 🦅

[@alowatsakima8950]

I've have always thought that the council chairman should be willing to send a personal letter to a candidates supervisor or manager explaining the training and suggest that they be sent on company time for the training. It is invaluable for everyone that takes it. Thanks for the plug.

[@alowatsakima8950]

This program was developed by scouters that were professional corporate trainers. I was lucky enough to go to the Pilot Program in Aug 2000. It was great. Afterwards I called several professional training institutes. A local one had done training for Shell Oil for a management team designing and building a new off shore oil platform. The team manager wrote a letter saying that because of the training, they came in on time and under budget. This training will help you in your personal life as well as your job. and it helps scouting.

[@ScouterStan]

Well said. Thank you for your feedback (we all know it's a gift). YIS⚜

[@robertmcewin8581]

The old 22 part woodbadge was the best 1981. Ben to 12 courses as a staffer. Taught basic skills and did it all in the woods in troop setting

[@matthewchristopher942]

The best way to describe my first 3 days of this new WB. Overwhelming, exhausting, challenging!! But very worth it!

[@ScouterStan]

Well said. The program is set up that way. Now the hard part… TICKET. Listen carefully to the instructions and develop your ticket. Don’t let them change your ticket into something they want. It's your ticket and you will be the one that will do the work. Don’t get discouraged it will all be worth it in the end. Remember to have fun and get into your patrol fellowship. YIS⚜

[@helmzoohiking3508]

Just staffed 1st weekend (🦊 Troop Guide). I like the improvements.

[@ScouterStan]

That’s fantastic! Troop Guide is the hardest job at Wood Badge. Troop Guide keeps working after everyone goes home and your patrol mates start working on their ticket. Lots of phone calls and meetings until they all get beaded. Thank you for all the good work. Thank you for subscribing to our community. YIS 🦉⚜

[@matthewchristopher942]

I just fished the first weekend of woodbadge I was going to quit scouting but WB gave me back my love for scouting! Eagle Patrol!!

[@ScouterStan]

That is awesome! Fly you Eagles. 🦅 YIS⚜

[@joepattersontheartguy]

Wood Badge is one of my favorite Scouting trainings. I am almost done with my last Ticket Item.

[@kraygvonmosch306]

Will be attending Wood Badge this summer!! Super Excited!!!!

[@ScouterStan]

That is awesome! Many people don't know how good Wood Badge is. I know of people who have had a real positive change in their life from Wood Badge. I even know leaders who met at Wood Badge and got married later on. I myself met great leaders at my own Wood Badge that I still work with in Scouting. Wood Badge truly captures the spirit of Baden-Powell with new teaching techniques. Then it sets you off on your own to create your own scouting story. The most important staff member that you will meet at wood badge is your patrol guide. They will be there from now on to help you on your journey. Have fun, be open-minded and be ready to learn something new. Thank you for your feedback... YIS ⚜

[@countcagliostro3337]

glad to hear of the change. In my 20 plus years as a scouter I never managed to make it. Some years I couldn't get the time off, other years money was tight enough so it was a choice between me doing Woodbadge or my son going to summer camp.

[@ScouterStan]

Not to worry, you will find the time and funding to go. “Every Scout deserves a trained leader…” Baden-Powell famously said. I believe that every leader needs training to do the job. It’s hard these days to set aside time and money for training. Wood Badge is more than just training. Ask anyone with beads at the next roundtable or event. Surprisingly it’s an investment in self-improvement too. Ask them “How has Wood Badge helped outside of Scouting?” I know the answers will be amazing. Ask “How do I get help in signing up?” Making the commitment to go is the hardest decision. Everything else will just fall in line after that. Most councils will have payment programs and even scholarships available for Wood Badge. If something happens and you can't attend the fees can be transferred over to the next trading date. Next thing you know they'll be blowing the Kudu horn to warn everyone that a trained Wood Badge leader is coming their way. YIS⚜

[@johnclaudio8799]

Thanks for the update about the new wood badge training.

[@ScouterStan]

Any time! YIS ⚜

[@SespeScouter]

Looking forward to possibly staffing a course for the NEW Wood Badge!

[@ScouterStan]

It is a big commitment and a big job but it has a big payoff in the end. When everyone gets their beads and everything wraps up. It is a two-year commitment for all troop guides. Love your videos by the way, maybe we could confab (East Coast to West Coast thing)? I think I put a card link to your video in this one. So close to that 1K mark. YIS ⚜

[@SespeScouter]

@@ScouterStan thanks again! Definitely up for a collaboration. Any ideas? [e-mail].

[@nightowl16201]

It sounds great, I only see one problem. It looks it won’t accommodate someone who is handicap, with limited mobility.

[@ScouterStan]

Access should not be an issue with this type of training. Scouting will make every effort to make it happen. I know from personal experience of having a wheelchair-bound Scouter participate fully in my own Wood Badge course. I know of courses that have had Scouters who are deaf and even Scouters who were blind complete the course. Having someone there with American Sign Language and Braille documents for each of them. All scout camps are completely accessible by wheelchair. Having a disability should not exclude you from anything in Scouting. Call your local Scout Service Center or Scout Office and ask for information about Scouts and Scouters with disabilities. I truly hope that they can also confirm that you will be accommodated and have a wonderful training experience at Wood Badge. Thank you so much for asking the question, and I hope to see you on the trail. YIS⚜

[@jimbriskin5569]

Was scheduled for wood badge with NEIC this fall and was canceled due to nationals requirement of a minimum of 30 participants to offer the course

[@ScouterStan]

Thumbs up for signing up. That is really disappointing that they didn't have enough signed up. The staff works for over a year on getting everything ready and now to have it postponed is devastating. Hopefully, they will transfer the fees to a more well-attended Wood Badge. Believe me, it's worth the wait. You need to have at least 30 in your class of Wood Badge. That way there is at least 4 or more patrols. When you finally get to go it'll make a lot more sense. YIS⚜

[@edschultz6364]

What are your thoughts on the stigma or old wood badge vs new wood badge? Or old school scouters leaders vs newer scouters

[@ScouterStan]

Wood Badge has changed over the years of its existence. It has adapted and changed over time with more emphasis on leadership rather than mixing it with outdoor skills. Basic outdoor training for scout leaders is done before taking Wood Badge in the United States. Every training program should be reevaluated and updated regularly. In regards to Scouters having a “stigma” about new and old Wood Badgers, this is unfortunately unavoidable. It's also known as old-school and new-school thinking. It is up to the individual to make their training relevant. Scouts and Scouters need to reflect on the Scout Law, especially around being Courteous.
It is possible to take your Wood Badge training again. However, I would recommend joining the staff instead. Many Wood Badge courses are in great need of experienced staff. This will also give the old Scouter a chance to look over the new material and adapt to whatever is needed. Things that don't or won't change run the risk of becoming extinct or irrelevant. Always remember there are core values that are true in the past and the future. YIS⚜

[@edschultz6364]

Thank for the input,that's the way I was thinking about it myself,I am a long time scouter that has stayed in after both my boys Eagled out and have heard both sides,both valid arguments,I am excited to finally be able to take wood badge this February,after many years of wanting to and the last several times of trying there wasn't a full class so it was canceled,I also like the staff idea for a different perspective.i do enjoy your videos and topics keep up the good work.YIS Ed

[@nicholasdesnoyer8505]

I see your assistant course director certificate. Are there any plans to serve as a course director in the future? I'll be staffing our next spring course! I cant wait!

[@ScouterStan]

Course Director is an enormous commitment of several years. Here in Central Florida, we have a vetting process that takes years to be selected. I was asked to be a Troop Guide by a friend that was needing to fill a vacancy on their course. Years later all of my patrol was beaded. It was the most exhausting and rewarding part of my scouting life. Wood Badge is serious training and not many know how much planning goes on before and after. Every minute is planned out, even travel time and thinking time. It would be an honor to be asked but I would have to drop a lot of other scouting things to do it. Enjoy your Wood Badge Staff time. It will be exciting and an adventure of a lifetime. YIS⚜

[@blooshirt]

How imperative is it to go to Wood Badge if you are not a youth facing scout (e.g., I am a Pack Committee Chair)? Thanks.

[@ScouterStan]

Thank you so much for the question. Every scouter should go to Wood Badge. This helps in many different ways. You will know how to run a pack, troop, or crew properly regardless of scout facing and behind the scenes. You will also learn what other adult leaders are using skills learned from Wood Badge. In your current position, you could use a lot of the training that comes from Wood Badge when dealing with other adult leaders or parents. This training will also help when you crossover to a new unit. It's always good to know what the scout facing leaders should be doing. Pack Committee Chair is a big responsibility and I thank you for your dedication to your scoutcraft. YIS ⚜

[@jesseward6332]

Hi Stan. Question: Would you still recommend young scouters to do woodbadge? I wanted to do it when I turned 18, but I couldn't get my SM and ASM to get on board with doing it. Now that I am 21 and my summer is open, I want to go for it and do it. Well, because I think it will be fun, and to learn new things that I may not have known. However, I was told that wood badge does not make sense for younger people to do and it should be reserved for when you do scouting again with your own kids. I still want to do wood badge coming up this spring, but what do you think?
I always appreciate your insight!
YiS,
Jesse

[@ScouterStan]

Hey Jesse, I just got back from the first weekend of Wood Badge working quartermaster staff. Of the 42 scouters taking the course, 1 of the participants was 18, and 2 were 19. It is recommended that you do all the training you can before Wood Badge. Top-level, intense Scout training is dependent on the individual taking the training. The military teaches 18 year old soldiers how to drive tanks and handle billion-dollar pieces of equipment. So I think that Would Badge would be good for any scouter who wants the top level of training. I hope this answers your question and motivates you to choose to do the training. YIS⚜

[@ICdedppl666]

That's interesting. I'm going for my Wood Badge in BSO (British Scouting Overseas) and I'm lucky that I get to follow courses online. I have to go through several modules then have them validated but I can do it over time. I'm two modules away then I still need to get a couple validated but I should get my Wood Badge by Spring or Summer 2023 :D depending on class availability.
Can you not get your training another way than going to a few-days-long course in BSA?

[@ScouterStan]

To my knowledge, the BSA Wood Badge training is only given live. The personal interactivity of the den/patrol is critical to the learning environment. 3 days of live classroom training and 3 days of camping training are essential to the experience. Then the hard part “working your ticket” begins. It could take a year to complete and get beaded. Doing all that online would not be the same training experience. It's nice to have that option but just not the same training. I’m sure the online courses are tuff but the live patrol interaction is a big part of the BSA Wood Badge. Thank you for your question. YIS⚜

[@ICdedppl666]

@@ScouterStan Oh right, thanks! Only the theory is given online here, which is convenient as BSO groups are all over the world, I get to interact with leaders based in UAE or Prague which is super nice and gives insight into BSO worldwide. We do have practice training which can only be done in person like first aid practical training. Some of the modules are organised in person when there are enough participants too! But at the end of the day all of the modules have to be validated which evidence of "on terrain" practice which are logged by our Training Advisors. It can take up to a year here too, I started my training in September last year and I won't be done until the Spring or Summer term!
Also wood badge training in TSA/BSO doesn't cover certain things like overnight camp permits which are given after organising a whole camp while being supervised for example.

[@ScouterStan]

@ICdedppl666 The structure of your training is different in many ways. Every Scouting organization under WOSM is different with the same core values. BSA Wood Badge for the adults and National Youth Leader Training (NYLT) for the Scouts is structured here as live training only. Good to know that the BSO has the highest standards also. We also have a National Camping School course for Camp Rangers (Scouters who run a Day or Summer Camp). See you on the trail. YIS⚜

[@rustyb4090]

I just finished my first weekend of Wood Badge. I am a BOBWHITE

[@ScouterStan]

Bobwhite! That's wonderful, congratulations. The course before mine actually had a Scouter by the name of Robert (Bob) White, and they made him a Bobwhite. Of all the critters they get a lot of teasing but have more dedicated Scouters than any other critter. Well, maybe the Owls… “whooo” knows. YIS⚜

[@rustyb4090]

@@ScouterStan we had a lot of teasing but it was all in fun. We gave some teasing right back.

[@MattDeckard]

It’s okay, the people, the badge is still wood, it’s just got a new book that comes with it.

[@ScouterStan]

I have heard that in some places the Wood Badge beads are actually made of plastic? I have real wood beads and even got a set from Gilwell Park, from London England made of wood. I have never seen plastic beads on anyone. The new Wood Badge is not going to be plastic beads anytime soon I hope. Otherwise, its new name would be Plastic Badge? YIS⚜

[@colin1818]

"Updated for a modern audience" is typically code for absolutely terrible motivations.

[@mluddenjr]

Has anyone every fail out of Wood Badges?

[@ScouterStan]

Yes, of the five Scouters in my patrol at Wood Badge, one during the first weekend quit scouting completely. Here is how he put it before he left, “I didn't think for a moment that my beliefs would be challenged and that my faith would be subject to my own suspicions.” he needed time to reflect on what had happened and could not do it within Scouting. As it turns out he had just finished seminary school and was awaiting an appointment. He had difficulties handling one of the many exercises (“games”) near the end of Saturday night. Wood Badge is challenging that is why it is the highest level of Scout training. Far more failed to complete their ticket and never finish the training and get beaded. All four of the remaining members of my patrol completed Wood Badge. Today I think I'm the only one in our patrol that is still a registered Scouter. Wood Badge is tough training and in many ways life-changing, but very well worth it. There are no participation ribbons for showing up. Thank you for your question. I appreciate your contribution to our forum here on TH-cam. Don't let this scare you away from Wood Badge. It was the best experience in training that I have ever had. Thank you. YIS⚜