Wood Badge

In 1911, Baden-Powell took the first steps in training Scouting’s adult leaders by organizing a series of lectures for Scouters. He made great strides in the years that followed, culminating in 1919 with the establishment of Wood Badge training. Wood Badge recipients now number more than 100,000 and can be found in all corners of the world.

A Scouter participating in Wood Badge has the opportunity to:

• Understand Scouting as a family of interrelated, values-based programs providing age-appropriate activities for youth. 
• Recognize contemporary leadership concepts and discover how they are relevant to the Scouting movement.
• Apply the skills learned as a member of a successful working team.
• Revitalize their commitment to Scouting by sharing in an inspirational experience that provides Scouting with renewed leadership.

Many Scouters consider Wood Badge to be a peak experience of their Scouting careers. It has served as a source of training and inspiration to thousands.

The Wood Badge Experience

There are two parts to Wood Badge in Scouting America, the practical part and the application period. Both must be completed to receive the Wood Badge – two wooden beads to be worn around the neck on a leather cord.

The practical part is a two-weekend experience to demonstrate as practically as possible the aims and methods of Scouting. The course is a multifaceted presentation of leadership skills, organizational tools, and participatory activities based on the best Scouting traditions and the latest in team development theory. In addition, participants
will enjoy the fellowship of learning alongside many other Scouters and will have a great deal of fun along the way.

The application part of Wood Badge is a period of up to 18 months during which the participants practice and demonstrate a working knowledge of the leadership principles presented during the course. This is accomplished by the use of the Wood Badge “ticket”, which represents the participant’s commitment to complete a set of personal goals related to their Scouting position. These goals will significantly strengthen the program in which the participant is involved.

Throughout the period of application, each participant is assigned a counselor who serves as a resource, an evaluator and a Scouting friend. When the counselor and the participant determine that the new skills are understood and can be applied to their Scouting position, a recommendation is made for the Wood Badge to be awarded.

Who may attend Wood Badge?

Today’s Wood Badge is for all leaders in Scouting America. It has been developed for Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing leaders, and Sea Scouts, as well as Council and District leaders. The course content and leadership principles introduced apply to Scouters of all leadership positions and will provide a common foundation of leadership
skills to be used throughout all program areas.

Qualifications

Each Scouter invited to participate in Wood Badge training must be a registered member of Scouting America and have completed the basic training courses for their current Scouting position. They must be physically cleared by a physician and present a current completed Scouting America medical form.

Wood Badge Course Details

Course Limit: 48 participants.
A standby list will be created on a first-fully
paid first-served basis.
Attendance: All times and dates listed are
required to successfully complete the course.
There will be no make-up sessions

Dates & Locations

August 28 – 30, 2026
(3 full days - Friday AM to Sunday PM)
Goose Pond Scout Res., Lake Ariel, PA

Patrol Meeting between weekends
(Time and location determined by your patrol)

September 12 – 13, 2026
(2 full days - Saturday AM to Sunday PM)
Camp Acahela, Blakeslee, PA
Note: Both weekends involve an outdoor
camping experience.

Cost: $360, however…

All participants registered in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council will receive a $100.00 scholarship from the Wood Badge Fund making their cost only $260 if the fee is paid in full by July 15, 2026. The Wood Badge Fund monies are raised at the Northeastern PA Council’s annual Wood Badge Gathering. (Fee is non-refundable after August 1, 2026)