Frequently Asked Questions
Wood Badge 2012 - Course N2-72-12
What is the purpose of Wood Badge?
The ultimate purpose of Wood Badge is to help adult leaders deliver the highest quality Scouting program to young 
people to help them to achieve their highest potential. It models the best techniques for developing teamwork among both young people and adults. In doing this, Wood Badge also supports Scouters who are active on adult committees, including District and Council committees. Nationally famous training professionals and volunteers updated the Wood Badge syllabus during 2000 and 2001 to provide the best methods to adult Scouters to model and teach leadership skills to others. Wood Badge’s effectiveness as a leadership development experience has been applauded by industry training professionals.
Do I need an invitation to attend Wood Badge?
How much time will Wood Badge take?
Wood Badge is conducted over two full three-day weekends at our own Deer Lake Scout Reservation. Each weekend begins at 7:30 AM on Friday morning and finishes about 5:00 PM on Sunday. Attendance at both weekends is required. In addition, your working group (Patrol) will plan one or two meetings between the two full weekend sessions, scheduled at your Patrol’s convenience and choice of location.
The Wood Badge curriculum has been developed in a series of building blocks with each session relating to another or building and expanding on a previous topic. Our days and nights are very full of presentations and activities and it is extremely important that participants be available to participate for all six days. There really is no way to make this experience up separately. Consequently, we ask that cell phone calls or other business or personal matters be strictly limited to periodic break times in the course schedule. There will not be time for a participant to leave the camp during the six days. Please contact the Course Director if you have any questions on this issue.
When and where is Wood Badge held?
Connecticut Yankee Council holds a Wood Badge course each year. The 2012 Wood Badge course will be held at Deer Lake Scout Reservation. The first weekend is August 24, 25 and 26 and the second weekend is September 28, 29, and 30, 2012. Each of these weekends begin 7:30 AM Friday morning and conclude on Sunday afternoon (see question above for times.)
How will Wood Badge help me?
Wood Badge will teach you about leadership techniques in a “living”, hands-on environment, and you will be able to apply all you learn to any Scouting role that you currently have or may have in the future. It will also be very useful in your personal and business life. Since these skills can be practiced in a variety of situations, Wood Badge is beneficial for all adults involved in Scouting, including Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, Commissioner Service, as well as on District and Council committees.
You will develop a "Ticket", which is a written agreement outlining how you will apply your newly learned skills as you continue your involvement in Scouting. Development of your Ticket is an exercise in goal-setting and includes creating a personal vision and mission statement and outlining your individual steps to personal success. You will work with a member of the Wood Badge course staff who will assist you in the development of your Ticket and will be available to you until your Ticket is completed.
How do I get my beads?
After participating in all three days of each weekend, you will have completed the “practical” phase of Wood Badge training. During these two weekends, and the interim time between them, you will create your own Wood Badge Ticket as mentioned above.
You’ve probably seen other Scouters wearing their Wood Badge beads. When you successfully complete your Ticket (the application phase of Wood Badge), members of your Wood Badge staff will present you with your Wood Badge beads, tan neckerchief with the MacLaren tartan “patch”, a leather woggle (neckerchief slide) and a special Wood Badge certificate. These are worldwide symbols that a Scouter has completed Wood Badge training.
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Will I have fun?
Absolutely! At Wood Badge, fun and learning go hand-in hand!
What are the qualifications needed to attend Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is NOT just for Scoutmasters. It’s for adult Scouters at all levels: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity and Venturing, as well as District and Council members. Here are the qualifications:
- Be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America or a registered Venturer at least 18 years of age
- Complete basic training courses for your primary Scouting position
- Complete the outdoor skills training program appropriate to your Scouting position
- Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment
- Have your physician authorize your BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (complete parts A, B and C). This is a new form, available January 1, 2011.
Where in Deer Lake will I be?
What will I eat?
If you have any dietary restrictions for religious or medical reasons, please advise the Wood Badge Course Director or Staff Adviser before the first weekend and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
What do I wear?
You are expected to wear a full Scouting uniform including shirt, trousers or shorts, socks and belt during most of the course. You should arrive in full uniform on our first Friday morning as you will have little time to change into it after you arrive. You will be provided a Wood Badge baseball style cap to wear as a part of your uniform for the course as well as a course neckerchief. There will be limited opportunity to change into an Activity uniform during the course. Please be mindful to bring only Scouting appropriate activity clothing.
You will need to bring a desire to learn, an ability to have fun and get along with others who share your belief in Scouting, and a commitment to taking what you learn back to apply to your Scouting role and into your everyday life.
How do I register?
Visit the Council website where you will find an application form that can be downloaded and completed. Once you have completed the application form and provided payment information, you can send this to the Council Resource Center in Milford. You can also obtain this form at the Council Resource Center, from your District Executive, or the Wood Badge Staff Adviser, Tony Vogl.
When is the deadline for registration?
In order for the Staff to be reasonably prepared for the appropriate number of participants, registrations should be received at the Council Resource Center in Milford:
- Early Bird Fee before May 15, 2012: $240.00
- Regular Fee after May 15 but no later than July 31, 2012: $265.00
- Late Signup Fee after July 31, 2012: $280.00
- Note: No Refunds will be issued after August 15, 2012
Whom can I contact if I have more questions?
- John Neary, 2012 Course Director, via e-mail at jneary42@sbcglobal.net
- Tony Vogl, Staff Adviser via e-mail at tony.vogl@scouting.org, or his office phone 203-876-6868, ext. 259
Is financial assistance available if I need it?
- AFL-CIO Wood Badge Scholarship information is available here.
- VFW Wood Badge Scholarship information is available here.
Thanks to contributions from fellow Wood Badgers, the Connecticut Yankee Council has limited scholarship funds available, based on need. Please contact Tony Vogl, Staff Adviser, via e-mail at tony.vogl@scouting.org or his office phone 203-876-6868, ext 259.
I am only in my second year as a Scout Leader and I was not a Scout as a youth. Is my lack of experience a concern?
Absolutely not! Wood Badge is about leadership training. It is not a course in Scout skills. Wood Badge will help you understand what Scouting is about and how you can make a real difference by providing you with many important and useful leadership tools. These tools will help you to be more effective as a leader and as a team member.
I don’t have strong outdoor or camping skills as they are not required for my Scouting position. Will this be a problem?
No. While outdoor skills are helpful, there will be others who can share their knowledge with you.
I know what my Wood Badge Ticket will be. Can I start now?
Can I miss any of the scheduled Wood Badge training dates or times?
No. Because there is so much information being presented in such a short period of time, and, because each session and topic builds on previous material presented, sequentially; attendance at each session during each of the six days over the two weekends is mandatory. There are no exceptions.
I took Wood Badge prior to the introduction of Wood Badge for the 21st Century. Can I take Wood Badge again? What would this course material do for me?
Yes! Wood Badge for the 21st Century contains new and updated material and activities that can enrich your role in Scouting. It may give you new perspectives and skills that you may use. If you are interested, please contact the Wood Badge Course Director.
Should I prepare anything before the course?
In addition to the application and payment, please have a BSA Annual Health and Medical Record completed by your physician and submit it to Tony Vogl, Staff Advisor.
You need to have a clear description and understanding of your role in Scouting so that you can identify goals where your newly learned skills (and the ones you already have) can be best utilized.
You also need to complete a few Pre-Course Questions. This should help to make the materials that you learn more meaningful to you. Please complete the Personal Resource Questionnaire as well. Both items will be sent to you prior to the start of the course.