WOOD BADGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Wood Badge
Upon completion of Leader Specific Training, an adult is eligible to attend Wood Badge for the 21st Century. Wood Badge for the 21st Century is the advanced training program for all Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout and Venturing leaders, as well as all professional Scouters.

As the core leadership skills training course for the BSA, Wood Badge focuses on strengthening every volunteer's ability to work with groups of youth and adults and is less focused than prior Wood Badge courses on outdoor skills, which are now more effectively addressed in other training courses.

The task force that developed Wood Badge for the 21st Century was charged with developing an adult training course that was on the cutting edge of training for the 21st century. They created a highly user-friendly course that would encourage BSA local councils to offer more courses and, ultimately, train more Scouters. The Wood Badge course has made significant accomplishments in both areas.

Incorporating leadership concepts that are used in corporate America, the course teaches participants the basics of listening, communicating, valuing people, team development, situational leadership, problem solving, and managing conflict. Once the skill is learned, each member is given the opportunity to use the skill as a member of a successful working team.

At the conclusion of the course, each participant develops a set of personal goals related to his or her Scouting role. Working toward these goals allows each participant to practice and demonstrate new skills.

Nationwide over the past two years, Wood Badge courses have increased more than 30 percent. The course is for all Scouters-Boy Scout leaders, Cub Scout leaders, Venturing leaders, and district and council leaders. This has increased communication to allow for a more seamless connection among all BSA programs.

Wood Badge:

• Helps you understand how to train your youth leaders so they can help you "Deliver the Promise."
• Develops your skills and leadership habits that are applicable to your program for the boys, your family and your job.
• Brings you together with other Scouters who share common concerns, goals, dreams and aspirations.
• Provides training in the leadership skills every Scouter needs.
• Develops lifelong friendship. As a result of the six fun-filled days of Scouting, your Scouting will be more FUN!!

The two phases of Wood Badge:

• The Practical Phase consists of two 3-day weekends. Full attendance is required for each of the weekends. A key area of this phase is the process of team development. Participants will learn to apply appropriate leadership strategies that enable teams to reach their highest level of performance. The participant will use these leadership skills to develop a set of goals that they will want to accomplish in their Scouting position.
• The Application Phase, participants will use the leadership skills that were learned and developed during the Practical Phase. Each Scouter will work with a Troop Guide to help them successfully accomplish the goals that they developed within a 6 to 18 month time period.

Course Prerequisites:

• Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America
• Complete the basic training courses for their Scouting position.
• Complete the outdoor skills training programs appropriate for their Scouting position.
• Have a current BSA Class III Physical

Wood Badge course calendar:
Dates:
    7:30 am March 6 ~ 5:00 pm March 8, 2009
    7:30 am March 20 ~ 5:00 pm March 22, 2009
Location: Camp AlaFlo
Course Director: Don Salt
email (W): dlsalt@southernco.com
email (H):  bobiedon@graceba.net
phone:  (334) 726-9168
cost: $225 which must be paid in full a minimum of 30 days prior to the start of the course. A $100 deposit is due when signing up for the course.

Applications:
Wood Badge applications are available in the Council Service Center, call 334-793-7882.

Want more information on Wood Badge?
Contact the Wood Badge Course Director, Don Salt at  334-726-9168 or the Council Service Center at 334-793-7882.