Wood Badge

Training Opportunities

Wood Badge for the 21st Century

Wood Badge has been the training ground for hundreds of thousands of Scouters around the world. As the challenges in the world have changed, Wood Badge has also evolved to give leaders the skills they need to strengthen Scouting in meaningful ways. The latest version of Wood Badge training represents the most significant changes in the program since the early 1970s. Building on the past, understanding the present, and looking to the future, Wood Badge for the 21st Century stands ready to provide leadership for Scouting and leadership for America.

The Wood Badge for the 21st Century course brings together leaders from all areas of Scouting-Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing-and all levels of Boy Scouts of America professional staff. Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience, the course also draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles, and successful outdoor leadership organizations throughout the country.

This new version of Wood Badge builds on all that has come before it. Wood Badge for the 21st Century draws from a wide range of sources within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development.

A Unique Opportunity

Participants in Wood Badge for the 21st Century attend a six-day course offered either as a block of six consecutive days or as two sessions of three days each.

Course attendees begin their Wood Badge experience as Cub Scouts, then bridge into Boy Scouting and form patrols for the remainder of the program. Selected staff members interact with participants in the role of a Venturing crew. The entire experience represents a month in the life of a Scout unit. Wood Badge participants assume leadership roles to plan and carry out an extended outdoor experience.

Within this framework, participants take part in numerous presentations, discussions and activities that explore and advance a wide range of leadership philosophies and tools. A key area of exploration is the process of team development. By recognizing the stages through which developing teams must pass, participants will learn to apply appropriate leadership strategies that enable the team to reach their highest level of performance.

All course participants will become familiar, both in theory and in practice, with the point of view of the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing.

Wood Badge staff will expand upon that shared vision by guiding participants through three days of presentations and activities that parallel four weeks of a Scout unit’s meetings and activities. The first three days represent the first three weeks of a Scout unit’s month. The last 3 days of the training represent the fourth week of a month where participants share in exciting and challenging outdoor experiences.

Requirements to participate in the Wood Badge Course

Be registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, (There are no minimum tenure requirements)

Have not previously attended a Wood Badge course

Have completed the basic training course for their Scouting positions

Have completed the outdoor skills training programs appropriate for their Scouting positions

Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. Successful completion of the BSA class 3 physical is required for all participants

Wood Badge has four specific objectives:

As a result of attending Wood Badge, participants will be able to

• 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 they learn from their participation as a member of a successful working 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.

Wood Badge has five Central Themes:

The themes that follow encapsulate the course content of Wood Badge for the Twenty-First Century.

1) Living the Values
—Values, mission, and vision
—Aims and methods

2) Bringing the Vision to Life
—Listening to learn
—Communicating
—Giving and receiving feedback
—Valuing people and leveraging diversity
—Coaching and mentoring

3) Models for Success
—Team development model
—Situational Leadership

4) Tools of the Trade
—Project planning and problem solving
—Managing conflict
—Assessing team performance
—Managing change
—Celebrating team success

5) Leading to Make a Difference
—Leaving a legacy
—Learning the greatest leadership secret

What is a Wood Badge Ticket?

During the years preceding Scouting, British soldiers who were stationed overseas had to earn their passage or ticket home after their term of service was complete. This is why it is called a TICKET, but just what is it?

A ticket is a contract between you and a member of the staff usually referred to as a Troop Guide or Ticket Counselor. This contract is your commitment to practice using the Leadership Skills taught at Wood Badge in the performance of your Scouting job.

Purpose of a Ticket

The purpose of a Wood Badge Ticket is to help you realize your personal vision of your role in Scouting. Ideally, you will write your ticket around your primary job in Scouting.

Parts of a Ticket

A Ticket Consists of Four Parts:

A list of your personal values
A description of your Scouting role or job
A statement of your vision of success
A mission composed of five significant goals that can be attained within 18 months.

How do I answer those questions?

You will be given at some point the following questions to answer to help you focus and develop your Scouting vision.

Set aside time to think seriously about the following questions.

Answer the questions as fully and honestly as you can.

Write down your answers and bring them to the Wood Badge course. You will find them to be a helpful reference

Don't worry about what the "right" answers are or about satisfying someone else's idea of how you should respond. No one except you will see what you write.

The questions:

1. What do I feel are my greatest strengths?
2. What strengths do others notice in me?
3. What do I most enjoy doing?
4. What qualities of character do I most admire in others?
5. Who is a person who has made a positive impact on my life?
6. Why was that person able to have such significant impact?
7. What have been my happiest moments in life?
8. Why were they happy?
9. If I had unlimited time and resources, what would I choose to do?
10. When I daydream, what do I see myself doing?
11. What are the three or four most important things to me?
12. When I look at my work life, what activities do I consider of greatest worth?
13. What can I do best that would be of worth to others?
14. What talents do I have that no one else really knows about?
15. If there are things I feel I really should do, what are they?
16. What are my important roles in life?
17. In each of those roles, what are my most important lifetime goals?
18. In five years, what role do I see for myself in Scouting?
19. What would I really like to be and to do in my life?
20. What are the most important values I use to guide and motivate my actions?

Realization of your vision
You should not expect that you will realize your vision immediately upon completion of the five goals; reaching your goals is an initial part of a long-term work in progress.
Diversity

At least one goal must address increasing diversity within the Boy Scouts of America.

Evaluating Ticket Items

All ticket items should be S M A R T. The preceding acronym may be used by you and your Troop Guide or Ticket Counselor to evaluate a good workable ticket item. Hopefully these questions will help you to evaluate the items you might select for your ticket.

“SMART”(specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely)

Specific - Describe this Ticket Goal in enough detail so that you and your ticket counselor now specifically what is to be done; how it is important, or how it will have an impact on the program. Is it challenging?

Measurable - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Measurable. How will you know when the goal has been accomplished?

Attainable - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Attainable. Can it be accomplished?

Relevant – Describe how this Ticket Goal is Relevant. How does it relate to your Scouting job?

Timely - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Timely. Can it be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time? “A Goal Without a Deadline is Only a Dream!”

Application of Leadership Skills

Remember the old saying "Practice Makes Perfect?" Well that applies to your Wood Badge Ticket too. If you look at your ticket as the opportunity to practice using the Skills of Leadership presented at Wood Badge then there is a much higher chance that they will become a part of your leadership style.

Think of how you could use the Team Development Model to build a new Pack or Troop Committee. Hey that's a ticket item!

In writing your ticket it will help if you list the skills you can use to accomplish your goals. It is not required that you incorporate all of the skills presented during the course into your goals.

Ticket Planning Resources

Ticket Workbook - This workbook gives you everything you need to develop a great ticket! It is in a PDF file, and consists of

Four cover pages that should be printed on 11x17 paper folded to make a booklet cover.
Vision and Values page to help you write down your vision and your values. Use the 20 questions above to help you define your values and vision.
Goal sheet, to be copied at least 5 times, one for each goal.



	Training Opportunities Wood Badge for the 21st Century Wood Badge has been the training ground for hundreds of thousands of Scouters around the world. As the challenges in the world have changed, Wood Badge has also evolved to give leaders the skills they need to strengthen Scouting in meaningful ways. The latest version of Wood Badge training represents the most significant changes in the program since the early 1970s. Building on the past, understanding the present, and looking to the future, Wood Badge for the 21st Century stands ready to provide leadership for Scouting and leadership for America. The Wood Badge for the 21st Century course brings together leaders from all areas of Scouting-Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing-and all levels of Boy Scouts of America professional staff. Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience, the course also draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles, and successful outdoor leadership organizations throughout the country. This new version of Wood Badge builds on all that has come before it. Wood Badge for the 21st Century draws from a wide range of sources within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development. A Unique Opportunity Participants in Wood Badge for the 21st Century attend a six-day course offered either as a block of six consecutive days or as two sessions of three days each. Course attendees begin their Wood Badge experience as Cub Scouts, then bridge into Boy Scouting and form patrols for the remainder of the program. Selected staff members interact with participants in the role of a Venturing crew. The entire experience represents a month in the life of a Scout unit. Wood Badge participants assume leadership roles to plan and carry out an extended outdoor experience. Within this framework, participants take part in numerous presentations, discussions and activities that explore and advance a wide range of leadership philosophies and tools. A key area of exploration is the process of team development. By recognizing the stages through which developing teams must pass, participants will learn to apply appropriate leadership strategies that enable the team to reach their highest level of performance. All course participants will become familiar, both in theory and in practice, with the point of view of the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing. Wood Badge staff will expand upon that shared vision by guiding participants through three days of presentations and activities that parallel four weeks of a Scout unit’s meetings and activities. The first three days represent the first three weeks of a Scout unit’s month. The last 3 days of the training represent the fourth week of a month where participants share in exciting and challenging outdoor experiences. Requirements to participate in the Wood Badge Course Be registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, (There are no minimum tenure requirements) Have not previously attended a Wood Badge course Have completed the basic training course for their Scouting positions Have completed the outdoor skills training programs appropriate for their Scouting positions Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. Successful completion of the BSA class 3 physical is required for all participants Wood Badge has four specific objectives: As a result of attending Wood Badge, participants will be able to • 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 they learn from their participation as a member of a successful working 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. Wood Badge has five Central Themes: The themes that follow encapsulate the course content of Wood Badge for the Twenty-First Century. 1) Living the Values —Values, mission, and vision —Aims and methods 2) Bringing the Vision to Life —Listening to learn —Communicating —Giving and receiving feedback —Valuing people and leveraging diversity —Coaching and mentoring 3) Models for Success —Team development model —Situational Leadership 4) Tools of the Trade —Project planning and problem solving —Managing conflict —Assessing team performance —Managing change —Celebrating team success 5) Leading to Make a Difference —Leaving a legacy —Learning the greatest leadership secret What is a Wood Badge Ticket? During the years preceding Scouting, British soldiers who were stationed overseas had to earn their passage or ticket home after their term of service was complete. This is why it is called a TICKET, but just what is it? A ticket is a contract between you and a member of the staff usually referred to as a Troop Guide or Ticket Counselor. This contract is your commitment to practice using the Leadership Skills taught at Wood Badge in the performance of your Scouting job. Purpose of a Ticket The purpose of a Wood Badge Ticket is to help you realize your personal vision of your role in Scouting. Ideally, you will write your ticket around your primary job in Scouting. Parts of a Ticket A Ticket Consists of Four Parts: A list of your personal values A description of your Scouting role or job A statement of your vision of success A mission composed of five significant goals that can be attained within 18 months. How do I answer those questions? You will be given at some point the following questions to answer to help you focus and develop your Scouting vision. Set aside time to think seriously about the following questions. Answer the questions as fully and honestly as you can. Write down your answers and bring them to the Wood Badge course. You will find them to be a helpful reference Don't worry about what the "right" answers are or about satisfying someone else's idea of how you should respond. No one except you will see what you write. The questions: 1. What do I feel are my greatest strengths? 2. What strengths do others notice in me? 3. What do I most enjoy doing? 4. What qualities of character do I most admire in others? 5. Who is a person who has made a positive impact on my life? 6. Why was that person able to have such significant impact? 7. What have been my happiest moments in life? 8. Why were they happy? 9. If I had unlimited time and resources, what would I choose to do? 10. When I daydream, what do I see myself doing? 11. What are the three or four most important things to me? 12. When I look at my work life, what activities do I consider of greatest worth? 13. What can I do best that would be of worth to others? 14. What talents do I have that no one else really knows about? 15. If there are things I feel I really should do, what are they? 16. What are my important roles in life? 17. In each of those roles, what are my most important lifetime goals? 18. In five years, what role do I see for myself in Scouting? 19. What would I really like to be and to do in my life? 20. What are the most important values I use to guide and motivate my actions? Realization of your vision You should not expect that you will realize your vision immediately upon completion of the five goals; reaching your goals is an initial part of a long-term work in progress. Diversity At least one goal must address increasing diversity within the Boy Scouts of America. Evaluating Ticket Items All ticket items should be S M A R T. The preceding acronym may be used by you and your Troop Guide or Ticket Counselor to evaluate a good workable ticket item. Hopefully these questions will help you to evaluate the items you might select for your ticket. “SMART”(specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) Specific - Describe this Ticket Goal in enough detail so that you and your ticket counselor now specifically what is to be done; how it is important, or how it will have an impact on the program. Is it challenging? Measurable - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Measurable. How will you know when the goal has been accomplished? Attainable - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Attainable. Can it be accomplished? Relevant – Describe how this Ticket Goal is Relevant. How does it relate to your Scouting job? Timely - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Timely. Can it be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time? “A Goal Without a Deadline is Only a Dream!” Application of Leadership Skills Remember the old saying "Practice Makes Perfect?" Well that applies to your Wood Badge Ticket too. If you look at your ticket as the opportunity to practice using the Skills of Leadership presented at Wood Badge then there is a much higher chance that they will become a part of your leadership style. Think of how you could use the Team Development Model to build a new Pack or Troop Committee. Hey that's a ticket item! In writing your ticket it will help if you list the skills you can use to accomplish your goals. It is not required that you incorporate all of the skills presented during the course into your goals. Ticket Planning Resources Ticket Workbook - This workbook gives you everything you need to develop a great ticket! It is in a PDF file, and consists of Four cover pages that should be printed on 11x17 paper folded to make a booklet cover. Vision and Values page to help you write down your vision and your values. Use the 20 questions above to help you define your values and vision. Goal sheet, to be copied at least 5 times, one for each goal.