by Michael Quinones
I didn’t take Wood Badge because I had a plan.
I took it because my daughter’s Scoutmaster, Penny Ludy, believed I would be a good fit and encouraged me to go. I trusted her judgment, and I’m grateful she saw something in me that I hadn’t fully recognized yet.
When I completed the course, I had no intention of staffing. My first opportunity came unexpectedly when I was asked to serve as Assistant Quartermaster for a course that ultimately did not take place due to low enrollment. The following year, I was again asked to staff in that role, which gave me a behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to run a Wood Badge course and allowed me to earn my third bead.
In Course 24-1, I served as a Troop Guide for the Fox Patrol. That experience was a turning point. Working directly with participants—walking alongside them as they reflected on their leadership and growth—deepened my appreciation for what Wood Badge can be at its best.
Since then, I’ve continued to serve where asked, including in logistics and auxiliary roles for additional Wood Badge courses. I do this work because I enjoy it, but also because I want to keep learning. Each role has shown me a different side of Wood Badge, from planning and coordination to mentoring and coaching.
After serving as a Troop Guide, I began to seriously consider the possibility of becoming a Course Director someday—not as a goal to chase, but as a way to give back at a deeper level if and when the time is right.
What keeps me coming back isn’t loyalty to a title or tradition. It’s the people—especially the opportunity to work alongside volunteers from multiple councils, each bringing different perspectives and experiences. That diversity keeps Wood Badge from becoming insular and continually challenges me to grow.
Wood Badge hasn’t changed who I am. It’s helped me be more intentional about how I lead, how I listen, and how I serve. For me, it’s been one meaningful part of a larger journey shaped by mentorship, invitation, and the freedom to say yes—or no—at every step.
That’s why I took Wood Badge.
And that’s why I continue to come back.
