The Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, in cooperation with the Girls' Technical College in the Jazan region, concluded the advanced study for the Wood Badge designated for female scout leaders, with the participation of 38 leaders representing various scouting sectors, education departments and universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This intensive training program comes within the framework of the association’s strategy to qualify female leaders who possess the professional skills necessary to manage scouting units and develop volunteer work with high efficiency in accordance with the global standards of the scouting movement.
The importance of the wooden badge and its global standing
The Wood Badge is one of the most prestigious and long-established leadership training programs in the Scout Movement worldwide. It symbolizes the completion of a Scout leader's qualifications and their ability to effectively lead troops and groups. Earning it is not merely an honor; it requires passing rigorous theoretical and practical programs that focus on leadership psychology and the art of working with different age groups, thus qualifying those who wear the Wood Badge to lead a new generation of girls in the field of volunteer work.
Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in volunteer work
This event is particularly significant as it aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to reach one million volunteers annually. The women's scouting sector is a key contributor to achieving this objective, as training female leaders expands women's participation in community service, crisis management, crowd control, and national events such as Hajj and Umrah, thus strengthening the role of Saudi women as active partners in national development.
Training program details and outcomes
The program featured a dynamic learning experience that integrated theoretical and practical aspects. Training sessions focused on equipping female leaders with modern, scientific methods for planning and managing scouting units. The curriculum also covered strategies for training girls, developing resources to ensure the sustainability of activities, and delving into modern leadership concepts and how to prepare theoretical research that serves the scouting movement and its curriculum development.
In this context, the study leader, Abdulrahman Al-Farshan, praised the high level of professionalism and discipline demonstrated by the participants, anticipating that these training outcomes would have a direct and positive impact on the scouting movement and its performance across the Kingdom. Al-Farshan also commended the significant organizational efforts and logistical support provided by the Jazan Girls' Technical College to ensure the success of this national event.
Strategic partnerships to support national talent
For her part, Khansaa Hakami, Dean of the Girls' Technical College in Jazan, stressed the importance of partnership between educational institutions and scouting sectors in supporting national cadres, noting that the college's hosting of this event reflects its commitment to empowering women.
In a speech delivered on behalf of her colleagues, leader Jamila Al-Zayed explained that this gathering embodies national integration and reflects the government’s support for empowering women in volunteer work, noting that the presence of 38 female leaders in one place contributed to the exchange of quality experiences that enhance the concepts of role models and teamwork.
The events concluded with an official ceremony that included a visual presentation of success stories and training stages, and the distribution of accredited certificates to the leaders, the support team and success partners, signaling the beginning of a new phase of women’s scouting in the Kingdom.
