WOOD BADGE – WHO NEEDS IT?

Back in 1974, my life was crazy.  I was a District Executive, we had a  two-year old, and there was never time to turn around.  But in 1965 I’d seen my Dad come back from Wood Badge a changed man, and I was encouraged to go, so I signed up.   One of my Scoutmaster friends and I went together, to another council’s course 300 miles from home.  I’ll just say that it was life-changing, not just for my Scouting responsibility, but within my family, in my church work, everywhere I went.  I’ve been sold on Wood Badge ever since.

In  2008, my life was still crazy.  (I just can’t seem to get that to go away!)  I was leading the council with America’s largest youth membership, camping more kids than Philmont does, and our council was running eight Wood Badge courses a year. 

My Council Commissioner was appointed a Wood Badge Course Director, and he announced that I was going to be part of his staff!  So I went, and I did my part, and again, it was life-changing.  Wood Badge for the 21^st Century is even more amazing than when I went, and we hear constantly that people are applying it to every aspect of their life.

So, you need it!  Go because it will be fun, go because it will make you a better Scout leader, go because it will make you a better person.  But go!  I know you’ll be glad you did.

-Paul Moore

Scout Executive of the Los Angeles Area Council