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

As always, a big thank you to the folks at Scouting Radio for rebroadcasting Scouting Stuff episodes to their worldwide Scouting audience. If you're listening to us on Scouting Radio right now, let us know; reach out and get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

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Music

Galizur, by John Zorn & The Dreamers