Wood Badge

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Wood Badge beads on top of the 1st Gilwell Scout Group neckerchief

The Wood Badge or Woodbadge is awarded to adults in many Scouting associations upon completion of their Leader training by their respective Scout association. The award itself consists of a pair of small wooden beads, one on each end of a leather thong or bootlace, and is worn around the neck. It is presented with a taupe neckerchief bearing a tartan patch of the Maclaren clan and a braided leather woggle (neckerchief slide), but the award may be worn with or without the neckerchief.

Wood Badge recipients are called Wood Badgers or Gilwellians and are members of the 1st Gilwell Scout Group, thus the uniform neckerchief, based at the home of Scouting at Gilwell Park in the United Kingdom (UK). The 1st Gilwell Scout Group meets every first week-end of September in Gilwell Park for the Gilwell Reunion, where all attending Wood Badgers wear their beads and Gilwell neckerchief. Wood Badgers are generally held in high esteem throughout the Scouting world, as the award of these beads recognizes significant achievement in leadership and direct service to youth. Additional beads can be awarded upon service as Wood Badge trainers, or to be worn as part of the uniform when fulfilling specific roles within Scouting.

Wood Badge courses generally have a combined classroom and practical outdoors-based phase which is followed by a Wood Badge "ticket" (also "project") phase. Upon completion of both phases, a participant is presented their Wood Badge regalia and is then considered a Wood Badger. Wood Badge training has spread to many countries in the world and the specifics of the program vary slightly among different countries.

Origins and Meaning of Regalia

Beads

Photo of King Dinizulu wearing the necklace from which the original Wood Badge beads came

The origin of the Wood Badge beads is a necklace once worn by Dinizulu, a Zulu king. When Robert Baden-Powell was on a military campaign in Zululand, now part of South Africa, he pursued Dinizulu for some time but never managed to catch up with him. Baden-Powell is said to have found the necklace when he came to Dinizulu's deserted mountain stronghold.[1][2] The necklace, 12 feet long, consisted of more than 1000 acacia wooden beads.[3] Such necklaces were known as iziQu in Zulu.[4]

Much later, Baden-Powell looked for a distinctive award for the participants in the first Gilwell course, from September 8-19, 1919. He constructed the first Wood Badge using two beads from Dinizulu's necklace, and threaded them onto a leather thong given to him by an elderly African in Mafeking. Early Scoutmaster training camps were held in London in 1910 and Yorkshire in 1911. But Baden-Powell wanted his training to be as practical as possible, and that meant in camp and this led to the development of Wood Badge. The development of leader training was delayed by World War I, so the first Wood Badge course was not held until 1919.[5][6][2]

Neckerchief

The neckerchief (called a "necker" in British and Commonwealth-based Scouting associations), is a standard triangular scarf made of dove-gray wool and has a patch of Maclaren Clan tartan at the point.[7] This was adopted in honor of a British Scout commissioner who, as a descendant of the Scottish Maclaren clan, donated the Gilwell Park property on which the first Wood Badge was held.[8][2][3]

Originally the neckerchief was made entirely of triangular pieces of the tartan, but its expense forced the adoption of the current neckerchief configuration. The neckerchief is held together by a tan or brown leather turk's head woggle, which, when properly constructed, has no endpoints, symbolizing the continuous circle of unbroken leadership.[6][2]

Akela Badge

Initially, Wolf Cub leaders followed a separate training system, and were awarded the Akela Badge on completion. The badge was a single fang on a leather thong. Wolf Cub Leader Trainers wore two fangs.[9][3]

The Akela Badge was discontinued by the Committee of the Council in 1925 and all leaders were awarded the Wood Badge on completion of their training. Very few of the fangs issued as Akela Badge's can now be found.[2]

Significance of Additional Beads

Additional beads are awarded to Wood Badgers who serve as part of their council's Wood Badge training team. One additional bead is awarded to Assistant Leader Trainers (Wood Badge Staff) and two additional beads are awarded to Leader Trainers (Wood Badge Course Directors), for a total of four.[2]

As part of a tradition that is not widely practiced, a total of five beads may be worn by the Deputy Camp Chiefs of Gilwell. These are usually the National (sometimes international) Scout Association's person in charge of Wood Badge training. The fifth bead symbolizes the Deputy Chief's position as an official representative of Gilwell Park and his or her function in maintaining the global integrity of Wood Badge training.[2]

The founder of the Scouting movement Robert Baden-Powell himself wore a total of six beads, as did Sir Percy Everett, then Deputy Chief Scout and The Chief's right hand. Baden-Powell's beads are on display at Baden-Powell House, London. Sir Percy endowed his six beads to be worn by the Camp Chief of Gilwell as a badge of office. This tradition continues today.[2]

Origins of course

Baden-Powell saw the need for leader training soon after founding the Scout movement. Francis Gidney, the first Camp Chief at Gilwell Park, conducted the first Wood Badge course there in September 1919. Gilwell Park became the home of leadership training in the Scout movement.[6] Leaders from all over the world receive automatic membership in 1st Gilwell Park Scout Group (Gilwell Troop 1) on completion of the Wood Badge course. These leaders are henceforth called Wood Badgers or Gilwellians. Any location in which Wood Badgers meet is called Gilwell Field. The 1st Gilwell Park Scout Group meets every first weekend of September in Gilwell Park for the Gilwell Reunion.[10]

The Training Ground at Gilwell Park, is the hallowed ground of Gilwell Park as this is the world home of Wood Badge, the premier Scout leader training course. A large oak tree, the Gilwell Oak, separates the Training Ground from the Orchard.[10]

Coursework

The specific objectives of a Wood Badge course vary slightly among Scout associations, but the main goals are to:[11]

• View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values-based programs that provide age-appropriate activities for youth.

• Recognize the leadership concepts that are relevant to our values-based movement.

• Apply the skills they learn from their participation as a member of a successful working team.

• Revitalize their commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission on an ongoing basis.

Specifics of a Wood Badge course vary around the world, but in general it consists of classroom work, outdoor training, and the Wood Badge "ticket" (also "project"). Classroom and outdoor training are often combined and taught together. This is generally done over two separate weekends or in one whole week. Before completing this portion of the course, a participant must write their "ticket".

The training portion of the course includes both theoretical and experiential learning. The agenda includes induction of all course participants into "Gilwell Scout Troop 1", assignment of each participant into one of the various traditional Wood Badge "critter" patrols, delivery of instructor-led training designed to strengthen the patrols and one-on-one work with an assigned troop guide to help each participant reflect on what the participant has learned so that he can better prepare an individualized "ticket". The frame provided to help explain this initial part of Wood Badge is the opportunity for the adult Scouter to assume the role of a Scout joining the original "model" troop for purposes of learning first hand how the ideal troop runs. With the possible exception of individually scheduled patrol meetings, the place where all of this initial training activity occurs, no matter its geographical location, is always called "Gilwell Field".[12]

Ticket

Part of the transformative power of the Wood Badge experience is the effective use of metaphor and tradition to reach both heart and mind. In most Scout associations, "working your ticket" is the culmination of Wood Badge training where participants apply themselves and their new knowledge/skills to the completion of items designed to strengthen both the individual's leadership and the organizational resilience of the home unit. This phrase comes from a story attributed to Baden-Powell that upon completion of a British soldiers' service in India, he had to pay his own cost of a ticket home. The most affordable way to accomplish this was for the individual soldier to engineer a progression of assignments that were successively closer to home. Hence, the phrase "working your ticket". The "ticket" consists of specific goals that must be accomplished within a specified time. Effective "tickets" require a high degree of planning and are approved by the Wood Badge course staff before the course phase ends. Upon completion of the "ticket", a participant is said to have earned his way "back" to Gilwell and is presented the Wood Badge regalia at a suitable Wood Badge bead ceremony.[13][14]

Training Around the World

Australia

Australian Wood Badge training largely follows that of the UK, however in 2003, Scouts Australia established the Scouts Australia Institute of Training, which is a government registered National Vocational & Education Training (VET) Provider.[15] Under this registration, Scouts Australia designed and had formally approved a "Diploma in Leadership" which is awarded to those Adult Leaders who complete the Wood Badge and then go on to complete a number of additional competencies.[16][17]

The Diploma of Leadership (like all Australian VET Qualifications) is recognised throughout Australia by both Government and Private Industry alike.[18] The qualification is issued under the auspices of Vocational Training and Education Acts in the various States and Territories.[19] Australia and the United Kingdom recognize Wood Badge training beyond the Scouting.[20]

Ireland

Wood Badge training in Ireland goes back the 1st Larch Hill of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland who conducted Wood Badge courses which emphasised the Catholic element of Scouting. Scouting Ireland's Wood Badge training now consists of two parts, Basic Wood Badge and Advanced Wood Badge training. Much of the training is specific to the section in which a Scouter is active, while Group Leader/Commisioner training is provided seperately. When a Scouter has completed his/her Wood Badge project (ticket) at the end of the Advanced Course, the beads, certificate and Gilwell neckerchief are presented at an appropriate function.[21] Scouters must also hold a valid first aid certificate in order to be presented with the Wood Badge. Higher Education and Training Awards Council accreditation is currently being sought.[22]

Netherlands

First Gilwell Leiderscursus (Wood Badge training) in the Netherlands 9-21 July 1923

The first Wood Badge training outside the UK was held on the Scout campsite "Gilwell Ada's Hoeve" Ommen in July 1923 by the famous Scoutmaster Jan Schaap.[23] Now they take place on the Scout campsite "Buitenzorg" Baarn.

United Kingdom

Wood Badge training within The Scout Association is a basic part of Adult training, and it is expected that all Adults in Scouting gain the Wood Badge within three years of starting in a role.[3][24]

Historically, a Wood Badge was specific to a role. This meant that a leader could earn several Wood Badges due to changing roles, such as from being a Scout Leader to being a Venture Scout Leader, or to being a leader at the District or County levels. Since 2004, however, the retraining required to change roles in Scouting means that leaders will now only receive one Wood Badge in their lifetime as a Scouter.[3]

Wood Badges are awarded to leaders after they have validated a selection of 20 or so modules out of a total of 36.[25] To validate each module, leaders are required to show knowledge of Scouting and its methods, and also to complete certain tasks designed to help them fulfill their roles.[26][27] For example, one module covers the recruitment and retention of other adults in Scouting, and in order to validate this particular module, the trainee leader must make and enact a plan to recruit a new leader into the section. It should be noted that not all Adult appointments are awarded Wood Badges once they've completed training.[27]

It takes approximately five years to complete the Wood Badge. Once this is achieved, an application is made by the leader's training adviser for a Wood Badge to be issued. This is then presented to the leader, usually by the District Commissioner in the case of a section leader, or some other suitable person in other cases.

In keeping with the global tradition, recipients of the Wood Badge become members of the 1st Gilwell Scout Group, and may also wear the thong and beads, as well as the neckerchief.[3]

After completing the Wood Badge, Scout Leaders are expected to continue with a course of further training, spending at least five hours in each subsequent year of service.[24] This can include gaining authorizations for adventurous activities and coaching qualifications, as well as more traditional Scoutcraft skills.[3][28][29]

United States of America

In the United States, Wood Badge is the advanced leader training, taken after completion of basic training—"New Leader Essentials" and program specific "Leader Specific Training": Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturing, and Sea Scouting.[30]

In 1936, an experimental course was conducted, along with a Rover Wood Badge Course (both based on the then current British syllabi). It was not until 1948 that Wood Badge training was officially inaugurated in the United States. Since that time it has grown, developed, and become a key motivating force in the training of volunteer leaders in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).[6][30]

During the 1950s, Wood Badge courses were conducted by the BSA exclusively for the purpose of training representatives from councils in methods of training and how to help with the leadership training programs of their own councils. Participants were required to subscribe to an agreement of service to this effect. Courses were mainly run at Schiff Scout Reservation and Philmont Scout Ranch.[31] Also during this time, an Explorer Wood Badge course was available.[6][30]

Beginning around 1958, qualified local councils were authorized to conduct their own Wood Badge courses to provide advanced leadership training for Scoutmasters and those Scouters who support troop operations. With regional approval, two or more local councils may also cooperate in conducting this training experience in a cluster-council Wood Badge course.[6][30]

In the late 1960s, the principles of leadership development were introduced experimentally into Wood Badge. By 1972, they had become an integral part of the program. The skills of leadership were emphasized in Wood Badge as a means of fostering the growth of up-to-date leadership knowledge, skills, and attitudes among Scouting’s leaders. By the late 1970s, Wood Badge had further evolved. Revisions completed in 1979 provided a continued emphasis on leadership skills, balanced by both Scoutcraft and program activities. By this time, the BSA was delivering three different Wood Badge courses: Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge, Cub Scout Trainer Wood Badge, and (later) Varsity Scout Wood Badge. Not to be left out, Explorer leaders in the western states developed Explorer Leader Institute, and Sea Scout Leaders developed Sea Badge.[6][30]

The course content was revised in 1994 to incorporate key elements of Ethics in Action introduced into Boy Scout training and literature between 1991-1995.[6]

A new curriculum called "21st Century Wood Badge" was introduced in 2001. The new course is aimed at all adult leaders in the BSA, regardless of the program area they serve in, eliminating the need for the previous program-specific Wood Badge courses. Sea Badge is still offered. No person may serve as Wood Badge staff on courses in 2007 or later unless that person took the course, or served on staff, after 2001.[11][13][14][30][32]

See also

References

  1. ^ Hillcourt, William (1964). Baden-Powell: The Two Lives of a Hero. London: Heinemann. p. 358.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Origins of the Wood Badge" (PDF). ScoutBase UK. 2003. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "The origins of the Wood Badge". Johnny Walker's Scouting Milestones. 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ "iziQu". African History. About.com. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Block, Nelson R. (1994). "The Founding of Wood Badge". Woodbadge.org. Retrieved 2006-07-20. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Orans, Lewis P. (2004). "The Wood Badge Homepage". Pinetree Web. Retrieved 2006-08-01. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "gillwbhist" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Clan MacLaren and the Scouting Connection". Clan Maclaren.org. 2004. Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "History of Wood Badge". Scouting.org. Retrieved 2007-01-05. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ "The history of Cubbing in the United Kingdom 1916-present". ScoutBase UK. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ a b Rogers, Peter (1998). Gilwell Park: A Brief History and Guided Tour. London, England: The Scout Association. pp. pages 5-46. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  11. ^ a b Barnard, Mike (2002). "The Objectives of Wood Badge". Woodbadge.org. Retrieved 2007-01-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ Wood Badge For The 21st Century - Staff Guide (2003 ed.). Boy Scouts of America. 2001.
  13. ^ a b Barnard, Mike (2003). "What is a Wood Badge Ticket?". Woodbadge.org. Retrieved 2007-01-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ a b Barnard, Mike (2002). "Wood Badge Presentation Ceremonies". Woodbadge.org. Retrieved 2007-01-07.
  15. ^ Media release Accessed 12 January 2007
  16. ^ "Wood Badge Training Program". Scouts Australia. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ "Diploma of Leadership". Scouts Australia. Retrieved 2007-01-05. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ "Become a Scout Leader!". Scouts Australia. Retrieved 2007-01-05. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ "Vocational Education and Training (VET)". Scouts Australia. Retrieved 2007-01-12. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ "Training Bulletion: Woodbadge holders" (Template:PDFlink). Scouts Australia. August 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-12. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ "Resources: Adult Resources". Scouting Ireland. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ "Resources: HETAC Accreditation". Scouting Ireland. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  23. ^ "Piet Kroonenbergs Padvinderskroniek" (in Dutch). Kelpin. Retrieved 2006-06-01. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  24. ^ a b "Rule 3.34: Adult Training Obligations" (HTML). Policy, Organisation and Rules. The Scout Association. Retrieved 2007-01-24. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Cite error: The named reference "tsa_por_trg_limit" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  25. ^ "Module Matrix" (Template:PDFlink). Adult Training Scheme. CATVOG Scout Area (The Scout Association). Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "Training: The Wood Badge". CATVOG Scout Area (The Scout Association). Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  27. ^ a b "Module Requirements for Warranted and Non-Warranted Appointments =" (PDF). The Scout Association. Retrieved 2007-01-24. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  28. ^ "Scout Association still prepared with ALS e-learning". Training Press Release. 2005. Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  29. ^ "Scouting for knowledge". Training Press Release. 2005. Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  30. ^ a b c d e f Barnard, Mike (2002). "History of Wood Badge in the United States". Woodbadge.org. Retrieved 2007-01-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ "Schiff Scout Reservation". Schiff Scout Reservation. Retrieved 2006-02-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  32. ^ Barnard, Mike (2004). "The Objectives of Wood Badge for the Twenty-First Century". Woodbadge.org. Retrieved 2007-01-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

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