A Wood Badge (Wood Beads) is globally recognised as the badge of a fully trained Leader or Manager in Scouting. It is optional in the UK, and part of the Branching Out programme that can be followed after Growing Roots has been completed. The Section Wood Badge is for volunteers focussed on programme delivery.

To begin, sign in to Scouts.org.uk, head to My Learning and assign the skill in the Section Wood Badge to your profile. Full instructions can be found in our Digital Tool Guides. Once assigned, you’ll be able to see the required learning, which covers the following themes:

E-Learning modules

• Safety
• Safeguarding
• Data protection in Scouts
• Who we are and what we do
• Creating inclusion*
• Delivering a great programme*

Trainer led modules

• Module 8 – Skills of leadership
• Module 9 – Working with adults
• Module 13 – Growing the section
• Module 16 – Residential
• Module 18 – Practical skills
• Module 19 – International

*To gain the Section Wood Badge, you’ll still need to do this learning even if you have an automatic sign-off of Growing Roots learning on joining the new digital system.

Learning via courses

Wood Badge courses bring together several modules into two one-day events for Section Team Leaders and Section Team Members.

These are great if you are new to Scouting or need learning for most of the modules. These are delivered by our experienced, friendly trainer team as fun, interactive training with other new Leaders to share ideas and build your Scouting network. By attending the whole course you cover all the modules, and can then validate your learning with your Learning Assessor.

Validating your learning

Validation is the documentation of your competence in each of the modules. You can do this in the Scouts website by clicking on a module and adding information about what you have done, including any relevant attachments, and submitting it for assessment. Once successfully reviewed by a Training Assessor, each module will turn green until you have all the modules completed and a Wood Badge will be released to your District Lead Volunteer to present to you at a suitable opportunity.

What can I use for evidence for my assessment ?

• A report from an observer about an activity you completed – this can be written, e-mail, or verbal;
• paperwork such as programme plans, letters to parents, instructions for activities, risk assessments, notes from activities or meetings, etc;
• photographs or videos of a validation activity;
• obtaining a qualification, such as a First Aid certificate or Nights Away permit;
• completing a questionnaire;
• a visit from a Learning Assessor to see you carrying out an activity;
• presentations made to adults or young people in Scouting.

If you have any questions or problems with training please contact your Learning Assessor, your Volunteer Development Team Leader, or District Lead Volunteer or drop an email to training@wyscouts.org.uk