BSA Wood Badge

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Jeepman

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My son is a HS Jr and is an Eagle Scout. He wants to pursue TX Boys State (app in) and do his BSA Wood Badge this summer. What value do each bring to the table and if the dates conflict which one is best for any SA (his top choice is USNA).
 
What else has son with BSA ? If he has worked his way up the Troop leadership ladder, Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol leader, OA, etc., I wouldn't expect that Wood Badge adds any significant, incremental benefit. Boys State would probably have more incremental benefit to WCS.

That being said, nobody really knows what weight any thing gives to the WCS (at least for USNA). Many here will repeat the oft cited statement that Boys State is equal to Eagle Scout, but I have never seen any authority to support that. The Boys State program is good, but IMHO its the fact that a candidate was selected, meaning that teachers and local community recognize him as a potential leader, is an indicator that the candidate is the type USNA is looking for. (Actually, I just looked at the Boys State website, and the characteristics of "leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service in their schools and community" that Boys State seeks tracks pretty close to what USNA is looking for.)

BTW --congratulations to DS for earning his Eagle Scout Award. That is an accomplishment that will follow him for life. BZ
 
Boys State is great exposure to government/leadership. If he has an interest in this then go Boys State. DS went and he had a blast. He was elected to AG and had to perform the AG duties (there was election fraud and he had someone 'arrested'). He also said there was a really big energy level at the event - everyone was very into it - and that made it extremely participatory. One or two slugs get in (like the one they 'arrested'), but overall DS raved about it. Very worthwhile. Eagle Scout will get top billing over wood badge and I believe Boys State will too.
 
I don’t see how Boys State would be weighted the same as earning the Eagle rank. Boys State lasts only a week, while the path to Eagle takes six years for some. As an Eagle myself, I think some folks here just don’t understand what Scouting involves. Scouting has taught me more about planning and small- unit leadership than anything else I’ve been involved with. I’ve led crews on high adventure treks, and heck, I was even responsible for twenty-eight people at my Eagle Project.
 
Jeepman said:
My son is a HS Jr and is an Eagle Scout. He wants to pursue TX Boys State (app in) and do his BSA Wood Badge this summer. What value do each bring to the table and if the dates conflict which one is best for any SA (his top choice is USNA).
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As a long time scouter (15 + years) and Wood Badge graduate, naturally, I'm biased towards scouting. That being said, my DS (USNA 2023 appointee) is an Eagle Scout and did Boys State. Both programs were of untold value to his development as a young leader, and both, I believe, added greatly to his WCS. As far as which program to do: Wood Badge is an adult leadership course, and not open to youth members of the BSA. The equivalent youth course is National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). I'd recommend Boy's State as it is only available to him as a rising senior and is competitive. The BSA course can be taken later on.
 
2023applicant said:
I don’t see how Boys State would be weighted the same as earning the Eagle rank.
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As has been noted, no one knows how much weight USNA gives either of these or if one trumps another. Suffice it to say that you get extra points for each.
 
How can a youth be in Wood Badge!? Is he 18?

Typically youth would be in your Council’s NYLT, which (if using the National curriculum and adhering to the Patrol Method) is very similar to Wood Badge but more leadership oriented.

IMHO, Boys State would be better than Wood Badge. Wood Badge is a leadership/management program with a follow-on ticket to punch. It has strong leadership in the ticket but not in the course itself. If your son was senior staff for NYLT, that would be a better fit and would be leadership on par or in excess of Boys State (my opinion).

FYI - I’ve been thru Wood Badge. My DS is SPL of our Council’s NYLT and he teaches part of the Wood Badge curriculum to adult Wood Badgers. Don’t know for sure but I think that was a significant factor in his appointment to USNA 2023.Just one man’s opinion.
 
My son is 18, and actually completed his BSA Eagle in two years, which was quite an achievement in itself since he joined BSA right around his 16th birthday. My thinking is he will do both Boys State and Wood Badge this summer.

Great feedback from everyone. Thank you.
 
Wowza! As there are time-in-rank requirements of four months for Star, six months for Life, and six months for Eagle, your DS earned all the initial ranks in eight months and also earned the 21 required merit badges in 24 months.

We've been Scouters forever ; I can't even imagine maintaining the pace required to get it done at that rate--well done.
 
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