Intent

It is intended that this ceremony be available for use by individuals who will make a Wood Badge presentation. The persons conducting the ceremony should all be Wood Badge recipients.

The ceremony should be conducted with the aims of:
  1. Recognizing the accomplishment of the recipient in a dignified and uplifting manner.
  2. Promoting future attendance at Wood Badge courses by those in attendance.
People Required:
  • Ceremony Coordinator
  • Presenters
  • Neckerchief Beads
  • Woggle Certificate
  • Reader – Two Tiny Wooden Beads
  • Song Leader
Consideration should be given to whom the recipient would like to have serve as presenters. If there is a shortage of persons available, jobs can be doubled up.

Ceremony

The Master of Ceremonies introduces the Ceremony Coordinator.

(At Wood Badge only ceremonies, the Coordinator may introduce the ceremony himself.)

Ceremony Coordinator:
Baden Powel first undertook the training of Scouters in 1911. This training consisted of a series of lectures. Later, in 1919 this training was advanced into what has become known as Wood Badge.

The object of the Wood Badge experience is to demonstrate, in a very practical way, the aims and methods of Scouting. Completion of the one week or three weekends practical course is only the first part of a two-part experience. The second is the Writing and Working of a "Ticket": a series of goals, which must be completed to demonstrate the candidate’s knowledge of course materials. This can take from six months to two years after the completion of the practical experience.

Tonight we have with us one (or several) Scouters who have completed his ticket.

Will Wood Badger _____________ please escort ______________ to the front of the room?
(Repeat as often as necessary for all participants)

(Presenters hold up the neckerchief for all to see)

This taupe neckerchief with it’s patch of the Mac Laren tartan on the back is symbolic of Baden Powel’s estate, which was given to the British Boy Scouts by W.F. DeBois MacLaren a District Commissioner in Scotland to provide a training ground for the officers of the scouting movement.

Will Wood Badger (s) _____________ please present the neckerchief(s)

(Presenters hold up the beads for all to see)

In looking for a suitable recognition for those completing this advanced course, Baden Powel remembered a necklace, which he had captured from the African Chieftain, Dinizulu, in 1888. He decided to award a wooden bead from the neckerchief to those completing the course, hence the name Wood Badge.

The original beads have long since run out, but the two beads we award today are still hand made in Gilwell Park. A third bead is awarded for service on the staff of a Wood Badge course, and a fourth is awarded for service as a Wood Badge Course Director.

Will Wood Badger ____________ please present the Wood Badge Beads?

(Presenters hold up the woggle for all to see)

This woggle in the form of a Turks head knot is the symbol of the continuity of service and the friendship provided by all Wood Badgers.

Will Wood Badger ____________ please present the woggle?

(Presenters hold up the certificate for all to see)

The parchment certificate is presented by the Chief Scout Executive in recognition of the completion of your Wood Badge experience.

Will Wood Badger ______________, ___(title)________ please present the Wood Badge certificate?

Will Wood Badger __________________ please read to us of the two tiny wooden beads?

READ "TWO TINY WOODEN BEADS"

Ceremony Coordinator: This now concludes this ceremony. Please join me in congratulating tonight’s recipient's.

Notes to the Ceremony Coordinator:
  • Have the candidates face the audience.
  • Have the presenters stand behind and to the side of the recipients after the presentation.
  • If the recipient is wearing a neckerchief, it should be removed when the neckerchief is presented.
  • Roll the neckerchief and frame the certificate before the ceremony.
  • Presenters should have the items they will present ready at the beginning of the ceremony.
  • At outdoor ceremonies it is appropriate to have a moderate campfire burning to provide light. Have the recipients stand behind the fire so that their faces are illuminated by it.
  • When this is done at a Scouter Training campfire it is appropriate to have a separate site with a separate campfire set up for the ceremony. In that case the ceremony should be done after the conclusion of the program campfire.
Thanks to Mike Hartz

 
 
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Copyright © 1996-2009, Mike Barnard. All rights reserved. This material is for personal use only.
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