On the morning of September 19, 1919, Lord Robert Baden-Powell blew a
Kudu horn at Gilwell Park on the edge of Epping Forest near London. Thus
began the world's first Wood Badge course. Since that day, wherever
Wood Badge is held, it is on Gilwell Field. Wood Badge is today offered
around the world. Over 100,000 people have attended Wood Badge.
The objective of Wood Badge is to demonstrate the aims of methods of
Scouting. Upon completion, a Scouter receives a certificate and two
beads, and becomes a permanent member of Troop 1, Gilwell. The two
wooden beads replicate the beads found by Baden-Powell during a campaign
in Africa in 1888. These belonged to the African Chieftain Dinizulu . In
searching for a suitable recognition for the men who completed his
first course, Baden-Powell remembered the beads and decided to present a
bead to each participant. From then on, the course was called "Wood
Badge."