Wood Badge is BSA’s premier leadership training program that was started in 1919 by Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting and Wood Badge’s first Course Director. This program came to America in 1948 and is continually adapted to reflect current BSA policies and best practices for leadership development, and utilizes the best training techniques available.
Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience, Wood Badge draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles and successful organizations throughout the country.
I highly recommend taking Wood Badge and taking is earlier in your Scouting career, rather than later.
-Chas Clifton, Port Neches, TX
Wood Badge opened my eyes to the vast diversity within Scouting and how Scouting helps all people.
-Carson Holmes, Garland, TX
Through Wood Badge, my unit became more youth focused and youth led.
-Jim Grossman, Chesterfield, MO
Purpose of Wood Badge
The purpose of Wood Badge is to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units in achieving the mission of the Boy Scouts of America.
When we accomplish the mission of Scouting, we do it in the units. Therefore, the short form of the purpose is, the purpose of Wood Badge is to strengthen units.
Although the course is different today, what Baden-Powell said in 1919 still applies:
One of the purposes of Wood Badge training is to get Scouters to think about the practice of Scouting, to meet together, to exchange experiences, and to live together in the spirit of the Scout Oath.
