What is the Wood Badge? What does it signify, and how do different Scouting organizations train their leaders in it?
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Ken and Brian discuss the Wood Badge — a leadership training program instituted in 1919, with the first session held at Gilwell Park (at which Baden Powell was one of the lecturers) — and how it serves to train Scouters with advanced leadership skills, so as to better deliver the Scouting program to the youth of their groups. Also discussed: the fact that the Wood Badge is very much a global phenomenon, with many National Scouting Organizations (NSOs) around the world having implemented it. Some NSOs — such as Scouts Canada — even make elements of the Wood Badge mandatory; Scouters in Scouts Canada must complete what is known as Wood Badge 1 in order to serve as Scouters at all.
Completing Wood Badge is itself a mark of honour; it confers membership in the 1st Gilwell Scout Group, as signified by the tan-and-tartan Gilwell Necker. A set of beads is also given to Scouters who complete Wood Badge, a tradition that was taken from Baden Powell's time and experiences in what was (at least in 1888) known as Zululand.
And perhaps most importantly, Wood Badge is a means for Scouters the world over to build connections and friendships, and to deepen their commitment to the Scouting movement.Shout-Outs
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