Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Wood Badge?
A: Wood Badge is advanced adult leader training which provides leaders of all kinds with the latest in leadership skills. The fellowship and friendships that often last a lifetime combined with a "mountain top experience" make this the premiere Scout training course. The knowledge and skills acquired at Wood Badge can be applied to Scouting, church, work, and family life.
Q: How is the course structured?
A: The course has two parts. The first part consists of two three-day weekends of hands-on training. Between the weekends, you will meet with your teammates twice. The second part of the course is the application period, eighteen months during which time you complete your "ticket".
Q: Who can attend?
A: Every adult Scouting leader 21 years of age or older who has completed the leader-specific training for their position. Leaders from Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturing, and all District and Council-level positions are welcome and encouraged to attend Wood Badge!
Q: Who should attend?
A: All adult Scout leaders, regardless of position, are encouraged to attend Wood Badge. No tenure with the Scout program is required, just your leader-specific trainings!

Q: What Makes a Trained Leader?
  • Cub Scout leaders are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and the Cub Scout Leader Specific training for their position.
  • Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
  • Troop committee members are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and the Troop Committee Challenge as their Leader Specific training.
  • Varsity Scout leaders and assistants are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials, Varsity Scout Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.
  • Venturing crew Advisors, assistant Advisors, and crew committee members are considered trained when they have completed New Leader Essentials and Venturing Leader Specific Training.
Q: Where and when is the next course in Narragansett Council?
A: The next Narragansett Council course is NE-I-251, May 30-June 2 at Cub World in Pascoag, RI, and June 20-June 22 at the Cachalot Scout Reservation in Plymouth, MA.
Q: How can I find out what patrol I will be in? Can I choose?
A: Much of Wood Badge is about Patrol Method. It is the forum for practicing the Leadership and Scout skills on course. You will likely develop a special fondness for your patrol and members. Patrols will be assigned by the Course Director, based on many criteria including balancing the experience and background of the participants, and distributing people from the same district or units to different patrols. The Scoutmaster will rarely if ever honor specific requests. It is best to not get too concerned about which patrol you will join - the purpose is to learn the patrol method not join any particular group.
Q: Is Wood Badge physically demanding?
A: No! Course activities range from board games to ball tossing. No races, no mountain climbing, and nothing physically punishing! Wood Badge for the 21st Century is focused more on team building and leadership skills than on the outdoor training of the old Wood Badge course. Participants must pass a BSA Class 3 physical and be able to spend two weekends in the woods. Don't worry, we won't expect anyone to run a "Wood Badge Marathon"!
Q: Ticket, ticket, ticket! What is this ticket I keep hearing about?
A: The Wood Badge ticket is a list of personal goals that participants create for themselves during the course. These goals focus around implementing what the participant has learned during Wood Badge to improve Scouting over a period of up to eighteen months. Don't worry, you should NOT have a ticket with you when you come to Wood Badge! Your ticket will be written at the course, with the help of your team and the staff.
Q: How much should I prepare my ticket before the Course?
A: Not at all! When you attend Wood Badge, you should have in mind a clear description of your job in Scouting and your goals for the course, but nothing more. Please do not develop your ticket prior to the Course! During Wood Badge, you will learn more about an ideal troop program and about the leadership skills you personally want to practice. Only after that will you be able to write your ticket. Again, don't make commitments or try to write your ticket ahead of the Course - experience shows it is guaranteed to change!
Q: How can I get more information?
A: We have information available through your District Executive, at monthly Roundtables, and through the Narragansett Council Office at (401) 351-8700. Any questions, comments, or concerns about the upcoming NE-I-251 Wood Badge course can be directed to the Course Director Henry Dziadosz (woodbadge251@cox.net) or the Staff Advisor William Remington (wremington@narragansettbsa.org). We also encourage you to talk to other Scouters who have taken Wood Badge - identifiable by two wooden beads on a leather thong around their neck!
Q: How do I sign up for Wood Badge?
A: You can sign up online through Narragansett Council's registration page. Alternatively, you can print out this application form and mail it in.