Adult Training

Next month we celebrate the centenary of the first Wood Badge training course.

An avid writer, Baden-Powell had published no less than nine books aimed at young people before “Aids to Scoutmastership” was published in 1919 and that first course commenced. BP’s focus was on providing program, through his books, for young people as a priority – adult training came later – in fact 12 years after that first experimental camp on Brownsea Island in 1907 and less than 1 year after the end of World War 1.

BP wrote “The Wood Badge will make quite certain that when I am gone, the future leaders of Scouting will really understand what it is all about and what my intentions have been”. Leaders will have the opportunity to reflect upon this and connect with others at various events being held in each Branch. 

Participants can share their photos across the country by using the hashtag #gilwell100au and across the world with #gilwell100

Australian Capital Territory

Scouts ACT members will celebrate the Centenary of the Wood Badge at a Gilwell Reunion on 7 September at Camp Cottermouth from 4pm. Registration is through the Members Area>Training>Register for courses here.

Questions or registering manually may be done by emailing training@scoutsact.com.au.

New South Wales

Scouts NSW members will celebrate the Centenary of the Wood Badge across each of their Regions. Contact your local Region Training Commissioner for details of the event taking place in your Region.

South Australia

Scouts SA members will celebrate the Centenary of the Wood Badge at a Gilwell Reunion on 7 September at Burnside Ballroom from 7pm. Places are limited so don’t delay booking. Event details and tickets can be booked here.

Victoria

Scouts Victoria are celebrating the Centenary of the Wood Badge in several ways:

• A “Friendship Tour” which will include an All Sections Advanced Course is being held at Gilwell Park, UK in September.
• A State-wide campfire will be held at Victoria’s home of Scout Leader training, Gilwell Park in Gembrook at 8pm on Saturday September 7.  For further information click here.

Tasmania

Scouts Tasmania are celebrating the occasion with a dinner at the Lea with over 100 acceptances.

Northern Territory

Scouts Tasmania is celebrating the Centenary of the Wood Badge with a Gilwell Dinner at its Basic and Advanced Training weekend commencing on 20 September 2019.

All Gilwell Leaders, BP Awardees and King and Queen Awardees in the NT are invited to the dinner and to refresh their training during the rest of the weekend. Leaders can register here.

Western Australia

Scouts WA members will celebrate the Centenary at a Gilwell Reunion on 7 September at Gilwell Training Centre, Karrakup from 2pm

Bookings can be made here.

Queensland

Queensland branch has been engaging in two major activities to commemorate the anniversary. These activities include:

1. Centenary dinners and events across 12 locations in Queensland on the 7th September 2019. These sites include: Gold Coast, Brisbane (Samford), Emerald, Mackay, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast (Bli Bli), Toowoomba, Ipswich, Bundaberg and Cairns. There will also be an internet link-up across all the sites during the event. To find out who the local contacts for each event are please email: wbcentenary@scoutsqld.com.au
2. Centenary Mascot: To bring about awareness about the Centenary of Wood Badge training, two Mascots in the form of Koalas named “Que” and “Matilda”, have been exploring Queensland since November 2018. Their mission has been to meet lots of Adult Leaders, get them to sign their logbooks, and receive a commemorative card. So far the mascots have attended more than 50 events, and pictures and stories of their adventures can be viewed at Que’s Journey.