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What is Wood Badge?
Wood Badge is a training course for Scouters which finally results in their receiving a certificate, a small neckerchief, a leather slide, and two small wooden beads on a leather thong. Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, directed the first course in 1919 and gave each of the participants one of the beads which he had captured from the African chieftain Dinizulu. Thus did the course name develop, for its symbol was literally a badge of wood.
Wood Badge is, further, Scouting's premier training course. Baden-Powell designed it so that Scouters could learn, in as practical a way possible, the skills and methods of Scouting. It is first and foremost, learning by doing. The members of the course are formed into patrols and these into a troop. The entire troop lives in the out-of-doors for a week, camping, cooking their own meals, and practicing Scout skills.
The uniqueness of Scouting is the patrol method. The use of the natural gang of six or eight boys who elect their own leader and plan and carry out many of their own activities is a democracy in microcosm. Here young men learn the give and take of working with people as they must surely do all their lives. Here, too, they are given leadership and learning opportunities which prepare them for their future roles as citizens. It is for this reason that it is so crucial that all adults understand thoroughly the patrol method.
Thus it was that Baden-Powell developed a practical course built around the operation of a troop and it's patrols. Yet this is only the most well-known of three parts in the entire Wood Badge experience. The practical course--the week in the out-of-doors--was originally scheduled to follow a "theoretical" part 1, which consisted of answering a series of questions about the aims and methods of the Scouting program. Part 3 then followed the practical course and required a 6-month application period while the Scouter practiced in his home Scouting situation what he had learned in parts 1 and 2. In actual practice, once Wood Badge became available in the United States, the theoretical questions and the application were carried out simultaneously after the practical course was taken.
But Wood Badge is more than just mechanical course work. Wood Badge is the embodiment of Scouting spirit. Like many intense training experiences, it has always relied on a busy schedule forcing the participants to work together, to organize and to develop an enthusiasm and team spirit to accomplish the tasks and challenges placed before them. Carried out in context of Scouting ideals and service to young people, the course brings out a deep dedication and spirit of brotherhood and fellowship in most participants. Certainly were it not for the common goal of the movement and its program for young people, it would be hard to get grown men and women to endure the 16-hour days required by a program that runs from early morning to late at night.
The course is designed to be a highlight --"a mountaintop experience" -- for the course participants. Careful planning and strict attention to detail provides a physical/logistic support and program second to none. Add to this a thoroughly prepared and enthusiastic staff and it is little wonder that most Scouters return from Wood Badge inspired and prepared to do an even better job of providing Scouting to boys. In addition to a fine course, all the traditions and heritage of Scouting are stressed and used to inspire those attending. Wood Badge in one form or another is used throughout the Scouting world. Tens of thousands of Scouters proudly wear the Gilwell neckerchief, woggle, and beads of Wood Badge-trained leaders. Because it was begun by Baden-Powell in England in 1919, it is clearly backed by the finest thought and tradition of the founder and thus carries with it great prestige. Wood Badge is then, a great force for world brotherhood, for though it uses the local traditions in each country, it emphasizes the international aspects of the movement and the heritage of Baden-Powell and Gilwell Park.
Portions exerpted from the History of Wood Badge BSA Publication # 3164, which may be purchased from your Scout Shop or from the National Supply Division.
The Objectives of Wood Badge for the Twenty-First Century
Wood Badge has five Central Themes:
The themes that follow encapsulate the course content of Wood Badge for the Twenty-First Century.
1) Living the Values
—Values, mission, and vision
—Aims and methods
2) Bringing the Vision to Life
—Listening to learn
—Communicating
—Giving and receiving feedback
—Valuing people and leveraging diversity
—Coaching and mentoring
3) Models for Success
—Team development model
—Situational Leadership
4) Tools of the Trade
—Project planning and problem solving
—Managing conflict
—Assessing team performance
—Managing change
—Celebrating team success
5) Leading to Make a Difference
—Leaving a legacy
—Learning the greatest leadership secret
D
uring the years preceding Scouting, British soldiers who were stationed overseas had to earn their passage or ticket home after their term of service was complete. This is why it is called a TICKET, but just what is it?A ticket is a contract between you and a member of the staff usually referred to as a Troop Guide or Ticket Counselor. This contract is your commitment to practice using the Leadership Skills taught at Wood Badge in the performance of your Scouting job.
Purpose of a Ticket
The purpose of a Wood Badge Ticket is to help you realize your personal vision of your role in Scouting. Ideally, you will write your ticket around your primary job in Scouting.
Parts of a Ticket
A Ticket Consists of Four Parts:
·
A list of your personal values·
A description of your Scouting role or job·
A statement of your vision of success·
A mission composed of five significant goals that can be attained within 18 months.How do I answer those questions?
You will be given at some point the following questions to answer to help you focus and develop your Scouting vision.
Set aside time to think seriously about the following questions.
Answer the questions as fully and honestly as you can.
Write down your answers and bring them to the Wood Badge course. You will find them to be a helpful reference
Don't worry about what the "right" answers are or about satisfying someone else's idea of how you should respond. No one except you will see what you write.
The questions:
1.What do I feel are my greatest strengths?
2. What strengths do others notice in me?
3. What do I most enjoy doing?
4. What qualities of character do I most admire in others?
5. Who is a person who has made a positive impact on my life?
6. Why was that person able to have such significant impact?
7. What have been my happiest moments in life?
8. Why were they happy?
9. If I had unlimited time and resources, what would I choose to do?
10. When I daydream, what do I see myself doing?
11. What are the three or four most important things to me?
12. When I look at my work life, what activities do I consider of greatest
worth?
13. What can I do best that would be of worth to others?
14. What talents do I have that no one else really knows about?
15. If there are things I feel I really should do, what are they?
16. What are my important roles in life?
17. In each of those roles, what are my most important lifetime goals?
18. In five years, what role do I see for myself in Scouting?
19. What would I really like to be and to do in my life?
20. What are the most important values I use to guide and motivate my actions?
Realization of your vision
You should not expect that you will realize your vision immediately upon completion of the five goals; reaching your goals is an initial part of a long-term work in progress.
Diversity
At least one goal must address increasing diversity within the Boy Scouts of America.
Evaluating Ticket Items
All ticket items should be S M A R T. The preceding acronym may be used by you and your Troop Guide or Ticket Counselor to evaluate a good workable ticket item. Hopefully these questions will help you to evaluate the items you might select for your ticket.
"SMART"(specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely)
Specific - Describe this Ticket Goal in enough detail so that you and your ticket counselor now specifically what is to be done; how it is important, or how it will have an impact on the program. Is it challenging?
Measurable - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Measurable. How will you know when the goal has been accomplished?
Attainable - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Attainable. Can it be accomplished?
Relevant – Describe how this Ticket Goal is Relevant. How does it relate to your Scouting job?
Timely - Describe how this Ticket Goal is Timely. Can it be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time? "A Goal Without a Deadline is Only a Dream!"
Application of Leadership Skills
Remember the old saying "Practice Makes Perfect?" Well that applies to your Wood Badge Ticket too. If you look at your ticket as the opportunity to practice using the Skills of Leadership presented at Wood Badge then there is a much higher chance that they will become a part of your leadership style.
Think of how you could use the Team Development Model to build a new Pack or Troop Committee. Hey that's a ticket item!
In writing your ticket it will help if you list the skills you can use to accomplish your goals. It is not required that you incorporate all of the skills presented during the course into your goals.
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