Wood Badge
Wood Badge is the premier leadership training program for adult volunteers in Scouting America. It is designed to help leaders develop the skills needed to deliver an exceptional Scouting program through effective communication, servant leadership, team development, project planning, and mentoring.
Wood Badge at Troop 318
Troop 318 has long believed that trained leaders provide the best possible experience for Scouts. We are proud to have over sixteen Wood Badge-trained leaders who have completed this advanced leadership course and continue to apply its principles in our troop. Our Wood Badge-trained leaders serve in a variety of roles, including Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Committee Members, Merit Badge Counselors, and other volunteer positions. Their commitment to continuous learning helps create a safe, organized, youth-led program where Scouts can grow in character, citizenship, leadership, and outdoor skills. By investing in adult leader training, Troop 318 invests directly in the success of every Scout.
This webpage is itself part of Michael Sullivan’s Wood Badge ticket (Course C7-456-21).
Whether serving as a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Member, Merit Badge Counselor, or in another volunteer role, Wood Badge equips leaders with practical tools that benefit both youth and fellow volunteers.Originally introduced by Robert Baden-Powell in 1919, Wood Badge has become Scouting’s most respected adult leadership course. Today, the course combines classroom learning with hands-on outdoor experiences, giving participants opportunities to practice leadership in realistic team settings. The course emphasizes listening, collaboration, problem solving, inclusiveness, and creating a shared vision—all skills that strengthen Scout units and improve the experience for every youth member.
The Wood Badge Course
Wood Badge is typically conducted over two weekends or an equivalent multi-day format at a council camp. During the course, participants are organized into patrols, just as Scouts are, and work together throughout the experience. They learn leadership concepts through presentations, discussions, outdoor activities, and team challenges while building lasting friendships with Scouters from across the council.Key topics include:Living the values of ScoutingStages of team developmentServant leadershipCommunication and listening skillsProject planning and goal settingCoaching and mentoringLeading changeDiversity and inclusionLeaving a lasting legacy through service
The Wood Badge Ticket
One of the most meaningful parts of Wood Badge is the ticket. A ticket is a series of personal goals that each participant develops to strengthen Scouting in their unit, district, council, or community. These goals are completed after the course and demonstrate how the leadership skills learned during Wood Badge are applied in real-world service.Successful completion of the ticket earns the participant the right to wear the traditional Wood Badge beads, neckerchief, and woggle.
Wood Badge Traditions
Wood Badge has several traditions that connect today’s leaders with more than a century of Scouting history.Participants who complete the course and their ticket receive:The Wood Badge neckerchiefA leather woggleTwo Wood Badge beads worn on a leather thongMany experienced Scouters who later serve on future Wood Badge staffs may earn additional beads recognizing their continued service to leadership development.
Interested in Attending?
If you are an adult volunteer with Troop 318 and have completed the required position-specific training, we encourage you to consider attending Wood Badge. The course is consistently described by participants as one of the most rewarding experiences in Scouting, providing leadership skills that are valuable not only within Scouting but also at home, in the workplace, and throughout the community.For information about upcoming courses, speak with a Troop 318 leader.
Every Scout deserves a trained leader.