Wood Badge Adult Leadership Training

Wood Badge Course CST14-101-41

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Overview

Wood Badge is considered the premier leadership training course for scout leaders. Wood Badge is available to registered leaders of all levels of the Scouting program – Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing. It concentrates on providing training on modern leadership skills needed in today’s world for scout leaders. Wood Badge Training will not only make you a better scout leader, it will also assist you in improving your personal and professional life as well.

Click here to download the course flyer

Course Dates

Every Scout deserves a well-trained leader.

Are you that leader?

Get Wood Badge trained and you will be. In doing so, you will change not only your life but also the lives of all that you contact. In 2025, the Northeast Georgia Council BSA will offer the five day Wood Badge course over two weekends. Participants are required to attend all five days.

Weekend One
April 25-27, 2025
Course starts promptly Friday at 7:30 am
Weekend Two
May 17-18, 2025

Course Fees

Course Fee: $290 Early Bird: $260

Covers program and training materials, all food for the first weekend (second weekend food will be provided by participants), one participant t-shirt and cap, and Wood Badge presentation kit (upon completion of training program).

Note: $50 of the course fee is non-refundable

Course Location

Scoutland
3685 Looper Lake Road
Gainesville, GA 30506
Location Phone: 770-297-8114

For More Information

Terrell Tuten - Course Director
Ed Foster - Council Wood Badge Coordinator
Johnathan McGowan - Council Training Chairman

Frequently Asked Questions about Wood Badge

What are the qualifications for attending Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is open to all adult leaders in Cubs, Scouts BSA, and Venturing, as well as District and Council leaders. Each adult leader must be "registered" with the BSA and have completed basic training for their position. A current BSA Physical Examination Form is required and participants must supply a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record Form - Parts A, B &C which is valid until the last day of the course. Venturing youth between the ages of 18 and 21 can participate in Wood Badge. They must be registered with a unit but do not have to be registered as an adult.

How does a Wood Badge course operate?
On Day 1, the course will run as a Cub Scout Pack and then crossover to a Scouts BSA Troop. Participants will be placed in patrols with up to eight members and no more than eight patrols total. The course will take place over a three day weekend - Friday, Saturday, & Sunday and a two day weekend - Saturday & Sunday. The participants will sleep in the campsite area on the first weekend (where electricity may be provided). The second weekend will be an "outdoor experience" a little farther into the camp. On both weekends, participants attend indoor and outdoor activities. Between the weekends, you will meet with your patrol to work on patrol assignments, including meal preparations. The staff consists of a Course Director (Scoutmaster), Assistant Scoutmasters, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Scribes, Quartermasters and Troop Guides (one for each patrol). The course will operate according to a set schedule which will be published in the daily newspaper, The Gilwell Gazette.

What is the curriculum of a Wood Badge course?
All Wood Badge courses in the Northeast Georgia Council follow the curriculum published by BSA. The classes and activities in this curriculum is based on five themes: Living the Values, Empowering, Guiding, Connecting, and Growing. You will also learn from the other participants and staff. Most importantly, you’ll grow and develop into a more effective leader as you "Work Your Ticket"!

What is this ticket I keep hearing about?
It is one of the great traditions of Wood Badge, and is key to applying what you learn on course. In Baden-Powell's day, those in the military were expected to pay their own way back to England at the end of their service. To be thrifty, soldiers nearing completion of their duties would seek assignments closer to home - a process known as "working your ticket". The Wood Badge ticket is a list of personal goals that participants create for themselves during the course. These goals focus on implementing what the participant has learned during Wood Badge to improve Scouting over a period of up to eighteen months. You should NOT have a ticket with you when you come to Wood Badge! Your ticket will be written while on the course, with the help of your troop guide and course staff.

What is the dress code?
Dress for the course is full Field uniform (Class A) for your registered position. An official course hat and neckerchief will be provided and must be worn throughout the course. Participants will also get a course t-shirt that may be worn at some point during the course at the senior patrol leader's discretion. Participants will have an opportunity to purchase an additional course t-shirt to wear during the course.

What can I do to best prepare to attend Wood Badge?
The best way to prepare is to mentally make a commitment that you are going to attend Wood Badge – block it off on your calendar, and discuss it with your family, employer and unit. Resolve that except for a "true emergency" you’ll be there! Talk with staffers and recent Wood Badge participants from your unit or District. Review the promotional materials found on this website and organize the gear you’ll need to bring. Once you’ve made your deposit and registered for a course, we’ll provide you with more information.