Why a "New" Wood Badge?
The current Wood Badge is called Wood Badge for the 21st Century. In fact, the version today is somewhat improved from the original 21st Century Wood Badge. Why was it changed from previous versions? Here is some background.
Over four years at the end of the 1990s, Boy Scouts of America undertook the project of bringing Wood Badge training into the 21st Century. So, what's new?
Two of the most important changes in this new Wood Badge from the former Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge are:
- It concentrates on unit leadership, not outdoor skills. (Outdoor skills are presented to leaders in their position-specific training.)
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The course has been developed for ALL leaders in the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing programs, as well as council and district leaders.
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The syllabus was somewhat revised again in 2005 & 2008 and gets minor revisions each year
If you are a registered leader in the Boy Scouts of America, this course is for you.
Skills in the "new" Wood Badge are:
- Values, Mission, and Vision
- Listening to Learn
- Communication
- Inclusiveness
- Valuing People and Leveraging Diversity
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Stages of Team Development
- The Leading EDGE/The Teaching EDGE
- Project Planning
- Leading Change
- Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
- Managing Conflict
- Self-Assessment
- Leaving a Legacy
As a result of this exciting training, leaders will be able to:
- View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values-based programs.
- Recognize that leadership concepts used in corporate America are relevant to our values-based movement.
- Apply skills they learn to enhance teamwork within their Scouting unit.
- Revitalize their commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission.
