Wood Badge training has been a life-changing experience for me—no exaggeration. In 2018, after serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader and Committee Chair for nearly six years, burnout was setting in. With my oldest transitioning to a Webelos Scout and uncertain about my role once he crossed over into the troop, I took a chance and signed up for Wood Badge. Initially knowing only that it was leadership training, little did I realize the profound impact it would have.
Arriving on a Friday morning, I found myself in a group with four strangers, bonding over topics such as handling difficult conversations, active listening, and building winning teams. While some concepts were familiar from my corporate life, McGimsey Scout Park provided a much more engaging setting than the Houston Hilton. What set this training apart was its focus on leadership through a scouting lens, making it directly relevant to both my Scouting and professional life.
We didn’t just learn about leadership; we experienced it through hands-on activities and games. From learning the EDGE method while tying a Turks head knot to planning before doing with a water rocket and understanding leadership types by throwing candy into a can, the learning was immersive and enjoyable. At one point, my patrol mates and I even crafted a buffalo out of popcorn boxes.
The time on the course was enriching for my soul, but the connections made afterward were even more valuable. I forged friendships with Scouters from across the council, opening a world of thoughts, ideas, and support. Attending Council Wide Campouts or Cub Scout overnights became more enjoyable with a group of friends to share the experience.
Most importantly, I returned to my unit and made a positive impact. Pack meetings became more enjoyable, den meetings turned into weekly highlights for my scouts, and our unit became a place for families to learn, have fun, and grow together. As a Scouter, there’s not much more fulfilling than that!
Since attending Wood Badge, I’ve had the privilege of staffing three other courses. I’ve witnessed Scouters grow as leaders, enhance the scouting program, made numerous friends, had loads of fun, and watched members of my unit experience leadership in a whole new light, I took on the role of Cubmaster for a Pack of over 100 scouts, am now an Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Councilor, and a Roundtable Commissioner. Quite a change from wanting to drop out!
If you’re seeking personal improvement, a better scouting experience for your scouts, and enhanced leadership skills, I strongly encourage you to sign up for Wood Badge today. The spring course is scheduled at McGimsey from April 5-7 and 20-21. Take the next step to “Eclipse the Ordinary to Shine the Extraordinary!”
Thank you, Colby Tate, our Spring 2024 Wood Badge Course Director, for sharing your Wood Badge story. Space is still available for this course so sign up for Wood Badge today.