MacLaren Scouters

[dadgad]

Now you're talking a foreign language

Here, you're either a scout leader or you're not and any other terms are usually just local with perhaps the exception of the more usual "skip" for a scout leader and "akele" for a cub leader

Eight patrols in US Wood Badge. Beaver, Bobwhite, Eagle, Fox, Owl, Bear, Buffalo, and Antelope. Only one Wood Badge course, Wood Badge for the 21st Century, which applies to all program areas (Cubs, Boy Scouts, Venturing). The first question one is asked over here is, "What's your critter?" Hence, I used to be a ...

[EHCAlum]

The few, the proud the Antelopes

The Smokey Bear hat is rarely worn anymore except at Wood Badge by staffers, sad actually.

[Matty Ross]

I used to be a beaver and a good ole beaver too..... 1987
I went back to Wood Badge a second time in 2008
And I'm still a beaver
On my second tour for WB staff and have already been asked to do a third. "KILTED"

[Matty Ross]

The Smokey Bear hat is rarely worn anymore except at Wood Badge by staffers, sad actually

In some areas we see then a little more frequently

[davidg]

Eight patrols in US Wood Badge

Over here it's simply called "Advanced Training" or "Woodbadge Course". On successful completion you are awarded the Wood Badge and have to buy your own "Gilwell Scarf" and woggle. The scarf and woggle are identical to yours. You also become a life member of the 1st Gilwell Park Scout Troop

Leaders of various branches such as Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Venture Scouts are usually trained separately and each Scout Area (usually roughly equivalent to a county or state) runs its own courses, but leaders can train outside of their own area

[davidg]

The few, the proud the Antelopes

The Smokey Bear hat is rarely worn anymore except at Wood Badge by staffers, sad actually.

You do still see them occasionally over here but they are usually brought in from America and worn only a camp by a select few

I think it's almost 50 years now since they ceased to be official uniform here

[EagleJCS]

Over here it's simply called "Advanced Training" or "Woodbadge Course". On successful completion you are awarded the Wood Badge and have to buy your own "Gilwell Scarf" and woggle. The scarf and woggle are identical to yours. You also become a life member of the 1st Gilwell Park Scout Troop

Leaders of various branches such as Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Venture Scouts are usually trained separately and each Scout Area (usually roughly equivalent to a county or state) runs its own courses, but leaders can train outside of their own area

First, good on ya lads for continuing your service to Scouts and Scouting! Many thanks!

Now, in answer to davidg: I think, generally speaking, that Wood Badge is the same the world over. Each WOSM member organization has their own syllabus and traditions, but the outward emblems for having completed the training are the same: the beads, woggle and necker. In the US, most courses award all three in a 'beading ceremony'. Some course directors are generous enough (or have sufficient funds in their budget) to order the materials from Gilwell itself. (I have 'authentic' Gilwell items.)

Prior to 1999, the BSA had two separate Wood Badge courses: one focused on Cub Scout (boys ages 6-10) leaders and another for Boy Scout (boys ages 10.5-18) leaders. (Venturing/Exploring - youth, boys and girls, ages 14-21 - leaders have their own advanced training called Powderhorn, but could also participate in the Boy Scout Wood Badge course. They still may also participate in Wood Badge.) In 1999-2000, the BSA revised its Wood Badge syllabus, calling it 'Wood Badge in the 21st Century', which now focuses on leadership development for all adult leaders, regardless of the program they serve in. I may be mistaken, but I think that which councils* may run their own Wood Badge courses is determined by the size of the council. Leaders may participate in another council's course if: 1) their own council does not offer a course; or 2) they cannot attend their own council's course due to scheduling conflicts.


As to Scout leaders wearing MacLaren tartan, for several years now the Clan MacLaren Society has offered honorary membership to any Scout leader (from any country, as far as I know) that has completed their Wood Badge.


* The BSA is organized as follows, from smallest to largest: individual member, patrol/den, unit (troop/pack/crew/ship), district, council, region, area, national.

BTW, I used to be a Bear ... SR-211-38. If you haven't found them already, there are Scout leader and Wood Badge social groups here on XMarks as well. Look under the Community link on the forum menu bar.