Wood Badge is the highest state of adult training that can be achieved in Scouting. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of the dedication of a Scouter to the guiding principals of Scouting.
In Canada we break Wood Badge up into two Sections. Wood Badge I is done by all Scouters in their 1st year of Scouting. Wood Badge I introduces the basics of each section of Scouting and prepares the Scouter to work with the youth as a new member of an established leadership team.
Wood Badge II continues to dive deep into both the practical and philosophical aspects of each Scouting section. Additionally it focuses on the areas required to properly run a dynamic, exciting, fun and safe section in line with all of the bylaws, policies and procedures of Scouts Canada.
A Scouter who achieves both Wood Badge I and Wood Badge II is a well rounded and fully trained Scouter who has received all of the skills required to both work with the youth, and also work with the Scouts Organization to deliver a top notch program to our youth.
History
In 1919 Lord Robert Baden-Powell the founder of Scouting felt that the movement was growing too big and they had to train leaders so that each one was teaching the same things and teaching the course in the same way.
Wood Badge was created and The first group of Scouts Leaders were trained by BP himself in Gilwell Park outside of London England. Since that day Wood Badge courses have run across the world to ensure Scouters are aligned with the spirit of the Scouting movement and delivering the program in line with Baden-Powell’s vision. The program has evolved over the years but at it’s core are the foundational principals of Scouting.
BP felt that the best way for a Scouter to learn how to deliver the Scouting program was to return to ones childhood and experience the program as a child. This philosophy continues to this day. Wood Badge is a chance for Scouters to reconnect with their inner child and rekindle the most pure nature of the Scouting spirit. We learn to teach, by becoming the student once again. We play games, sing songs, perform skits and have all of the fun of our childhood Scouting years while also focusing on important leadership areas such as
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- Problem Solving
- Conflict resolution
- Team and Group Development
- Communication
- Meeting Planning
Wood Badge Symbols
The Woggle:
The first sign that you will likely notice for a Scouter who is working their way through their Wood Badge training is the woggle. The Wood Bad
ge Woggle is a simple woggle made of leather tied in a turks head knot. the Woggles does not have a beginning or end to symbolize that the commitment of the wearer to Scouting will never end. In Canada the Wood Badge Woggle is awarded after one completes their Wood Badge I training.
When a Scouter completes Wood Badge II they receive additional symbols of their achievement
The Beads:
When Lord Robert Baden-Powell was thinking of an award to give to the first group of Wood Badgers he though back through his many trophies of war. He came across a necklace made of many wooden beads which he had taken while fighting the Zulu Warriors in Africa. Baden-Powell had great respect for the Zulu Warriors and the necklace was one if his prized possessions. He disassembled it and placed two of the beads onto a leather thong and awarded this as a literal “Wood Badge” to the first classes of Scouting Leaders which he training. The tradition of earning your “Wood Badge” continues to this day and those who have earned their beads cherish them and wear them with pride.
The 1st Gilwell Park Scout Troop:
Those who complete their Wood Badge training are also invested as life long members into the 1st Gilwell Park Scout Troop. Known as Gilwellians these Scouters are able to participate in Gilwell activities in addition to the work they do with their own Scouting Group and Sections. Each member receives their Gilwell necker with a patch of the Maclaren tartan on the back in recognition of the Maclaren family who gave Gilwell Park to Lord Robert Baden-Powell where to this day it still serves as a training facility for Scouts from around the world.
1st Milton Scouters Complete their Wood Badge Training
Over the past month Scouter Brad from 1st Milton Beavers Colony B and Scouter Chris from 1st Milton Cub Pack A have been away on their Wood Badge II course. On Sunday May 8, 2016 they both completed their training and received their complete wood badge accreditation. Scouter Brad and Scouter Chris are very excited to take back all that they learned and bring it into our Colony and Pack to create and even more amazing program for our youth. Please enjoy some picture of the Wood Badge Course!
