Fall Wood Badge 2025

10/12/2025

Sitting next to a Purdue Eagle Scout, nudge, nudge.

Scouting Purdue is a student organization dedicated to giving Scouting alumni at Purdue the opportunity to stay connected with the organization.

09/04/2025

Bart and I have been taking steps to prepare the highest level training offered at the scouting council level. Wood badge is volunteer run with 16 or so staff divided into 8 troop guides who will each be assigned to a patrol and 8 admin staff who handle everything from logistics to the Senior Patrol Leader being the face of the course.

The curriculum is more than a thousand pages and we prepare as staff through an orientation meeting and three weekend staff development meetings.

To be successful we need to have folks, like you, to join us in this endeavor. Participants get to be the 'scouts' in this scenario. You'll start as a cub scout and then progress through the program as a scout. The staff will model how the Scouting America programs should be run serving as the 'adults' and 'older scouts' along the way.

Why go to wood badge? 1) you'll network with other leaders from across the council, most of whom you haven't met yet. You'll become closely connected to those in your patrol and meet others who likely are trying to solve some of the same problems you are. 2) you'll get to see the program modeled in front of you and be a participant in the process and 3) you'll be presented with scenarios which will help you learn about your scouting mission, vision, and values and connect with professional-development material as part of the course. All of this gets sustained through a goals-based process to take this learning into the scouting world and accomplish five goals (the ticket) over the course of the next 18 months--goals of your choosing, focused on improvements you already are passionate about, and related to your newly articulated scouting mission, vision and values.

Is wood badge right for you? We'd love to chat!

08/31/2025

Wood Badge, a leadership training program for adult Scout leaders, traces its origins back to 1919. It was initiated by Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, at Gilwell Park, England. Baden-Powell recognized the need for a standardized and effective training program to equip Scouters with the skills necessary to lead youth--basically, he needed more leaders who were better trained to stay one step ahead of the fast-growing scout movement!.

The course, originally focused on the practical application of leadership principles (and included shooting a cannon and throwing a marlinspike), quickly gained recognition for its ability to develop competent and dedicated leaders. Participants who successfully completed the course were awarded a set of two wooden beads, symbolizing the successful completion of their training. These beads, along with a special neckerchief and woggle, became the cherished symbols of Wood Badge, signifying a leader's commitment to the highest standards of Scouting. The legacy of this initial training course has continued, evolving over the decades while retaining its foundational principles and dedication to leadership excellence.

As a Scout leader, you are committed to giving your Scouts the best possible experience. Wood Badge is designed to help you do exactly that. This program is not just a training course; it is an immersive journey of personal and professional growth. It will challenge you to Seek Adventure, Find Yourself by pushing you beyond your comfort zone and developing your leadership skills through practical exercises and team-based activities.

You will gain a deeper understanding of group dynamics, communication strategies, and the patrol method, all of which are essential for creating a positive and effective Scouting environment. You will also have a unique opportunity to network with fellow Scouters, sharing experiences and best practices that can be applied directly to your own unit. By completing Wood Badge, you will gain the confidence and skills to inspire your Scouts, lead a dynamic program, and navigate the complexities of your role.

This is an investment in yourself and in the youth you serve. Take the next step in your Scouting journey. Talk to your council and find out when the next Wood Badge course is happening.

08/29/2025

There's sure been a lot of posting about Wood Badge... so Hey Bart, do you want to have a sign war?

Fall course is wrapping up (and Spring is getting started!) For the moment we're overlapping. Interested in learning more about wood badge? If finances has been the reason you've hesitated, we can take care of that! There are several discounts and a special program through Aug 31 where $600 will be spread over anyone who signs up in that period. Sign up, pay the $50 registration fee and reach out for scholarship if needed.

Wood badge is 5 days of a life-changing learning and connecting. So many experiences in life are difficult to translate once you've been through. If you've been pestered past your point of patience, that's because your friends struggle to put into words the power of this experience. Join us and you'll know.

Sign up for fall course here: https://scoutingevent.com/160-83633

Sign wars:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/07/19/mcdonalds-dairy-queen-sign-war-missouri/10094439002/

08/27/2025

When done right, scouting is a Journey of Adventure. Those are a couple of words I love and have impacted me deeply. My boys have taken me on 7 high adventure trips to all four high adventure bases. We are rounding out our signups for the Fall Wood Badge course! Just following the training journey has led me into some deep friendships, through knowledge of the program, and some really fun times!

This video, taken at rhe scout high adventure base in West Virginia by the New River Gorge is chock full of Adventure! Spending a week there with 12 girls and 8 adults I loved EVERY minute of it. How did I get there? Watch the video (the dirty shirt is from a BMX crash…)

My next adventure is wood badge training!We have a few spots left in the fall course. We are just 3 registrations away from Antelopes! If you've thought about wood badge but aren't sure, use the messenger button below to reach out. I'd love to give you a call and hear about your scout story. Make wood badge part of your scouting adventure; your training journey. You'll be glad you did.

https://scoutingevent.com/160-83633

08/26/2025

Time's running out to sign up for the fall wood badge course. We have 36 so far and looking for just a FEW more to add an antelope patrol!
Two weekends required: Sept 19-21 and Oct 4-5
Cost: $340
Discounts and scholarships available
* Cub Leader: $40 off (need to be supporting the cub program)
* Bring a Friend: $40 for you and a friend who signs up!
* Scholarships: Sign up, pay the $50 registration fee and contact the course director
https://scoutingevent.com/160-83633