Scouting Magazine - The Scout Association

Adult supportWhat the Wood Badge meansFor today’s leaders, gaining it is a personalachievement and something to be proud of:‘When I was a Cub I was fascinated by myleader’s Wood Badges and promised that I’dreturn as an adult when I had kids. I kept incontact with my old leader via Christmas cardsand wrote to tell him I was doing my WoodBadge course. He was thrilled. A fortnight laterhe passed away. It felt like fate, which makesmy Wood Badge more special to me. It’s athank you to my old leader for all that he did.’Austin, Assistant Scout Leader‘I got my beads at 22. In getting them, apartfrom the usual, I got frozen on Ben Nevis in thesnow; half drowned canoeing in the River Teesand broke five toes at Gilwell when someonedropped a pioneering pole. The beads werehard earned and I wear them with pride.’Jonathan Rhodes, Scout Leader‘I am exceedingly proud of mine, awarded onemonth after my 18th birthday! I started trainingwhen I took out my helper’s warrant at 16.’Katy, Cub Scout LeaderTaken from Escouts, one of the UK’s online Scoutcommunities, on the meaning of the WoodBadge. Thanks to everyone who took part.more infoIf you want to find out more aboutgetting your Wood Badge, contact yourtraining team, or call the NationalAdult Training Team on 0845 300 1818.Do you have a Wood Badge?As a Wood Badge holder you areautomatically part of the world’sbiggest Scout Group – 1st GilwellPark. A new website has beencreated and includes all the latestinformation about Gilwell Park,including future plans and buildingwork, an array of Gilwell photos,a message board for members,webcams and many other things.www.1stgilwellpark.orgwww.scouts.org.uk/magazine 53