What is The Woodcraft League of America℠?
The Woodcraft League of America is built on a foundation of family and community and is focused on nationwide community building through Lodge and Tribe ownership, as well as self-study through our online membership.
The Woodcraft League of America ℠ – Camping with skill and purpose… with a focus on personal development and self-reliance.
“The Woodcraft League of America’s℠ mission is one of preserving and promoting traditional woodcraft skills and knowledge, with a primary focus on personal development and community.”
~ Bob Yeager – Chief Instructor and Founder
March 14, 2021
What is the meaning of the Woodcraft League of America?
skill and practice in anything relating to the woods and especially in maintaining oneself and making one’s way in the woods.
What is the meaning of league?
an association of persons or groups united by common interests or goals.
What is the meaning of “America” in our context?
The Americas of the Western Hemisphere
The Woodcraft League of America℠, in our use of the title, refers to a group of people in the Americas of the Western Hemisphere that offers a club/ membership to learn the skills of Woodcraft together in order to foster personal growth, self-reliance, and other interpersonal skills while learning the skills all woodsmen possess…as a tool to further personal development.
The Woodcraft League of America℠ offers a range of programs, including the Master Woodsman’s Training, which is a 4-part program that covers firecraft, toolcraft, roping, nature and conservation, gear and clothing, shelter and bedding, campsite, health and safety, navigation and travel, and food.
The program starts from basic skills in Part 1 and progresses to advanced woodsman skills in Part 4.
Our Mission and Core Values
The Woodcraft League of America℠ also offers personal development programs that are designed to help members develop self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal satisfaction. These programs include entrepreneurship training and conservation training, as well as a range of other programs that will evolve over time.
The Woodcraft League of America℠ is an organization founded by Bob Yeager in 2021 with the mission of preserving and promoting traditional woodcraft skills and knowledge, with a primary focus on personal development for our membership.
The organization is focused on providing a comprehensive education platform for people of all ages, from children to adults, who are interested in learning wilderness skills, self-reliance, personal development, and entrepreneurship.
The Woodcraft League of America℠ is built on a foundation of family and community, with Bob Yeager’s wife and children playing key roles in the organization. The Woodcraft League of America℠ is structured around Lodge and Tribe ownership, with each Lodge serving as the overseer of multiple Tribes in a particular state.
Bob Yeager Woodcraft League of America ℠ Chief and Founder
Bob’s entrepreneurial expertise has led him to make deals with large organizations, which has allowed The Woodcraft League of America℠ to expand rapidly across the United States.
Angella Yeager – Woodcraft League of America Director of Youth Development Programming
Angie is family and forward focused. She is the mother of Samantha and Bobby Yeager, who you can read more about below.
Samantha Yeager – Creative Director
Samantha’s journey in the Arts is quite the accomplishment for one so young. She is on track to go to The Moore College of Art and Design and has sold quite a bit of her art and been featured in many shows. It’s only fitting that Samantha is our Creative director. Samantha is also Bob and Angie’s daughter.
Bobby Yeager – Director of Camping and Pioneering Projects
Bobby’s love of the outdoors, art, and music; as well as his extensive experience in the BSA (he’s now working on his Eagle at only 13 years old) makes him the perfect young man for the job of developing new camping and pioneering projects to be taught in our programs.
The Woodcraft League of America℠ Was Created
for Families By the Yeager Family!
Lodge Owners of the Woodcraft League of America℠
Arizona WLA Lodge
Tim Birch is a long time outdoors man, Scout, and excels in the field of self improvement. That’s why he’s also our director of Self-Empowerment Programs
Texas WLA Lodge
April Burns Mayo is a strong advocate for sound education in the outdoors, community, and family… that’s why she’s the perfect choice to represent the WLA in Texas.
W Virginia WLA Lodge
Jay Hercules is the owner of Opossum Pouch Soft Goods and a skilled outdoors man/ producer of canvas goods. Jay is an entrepreneur, life long resident of Wheeling WV and the perfect choice for our WLA WV Lodge.
Ohio WLA Lodge
James Bender is the owner of Way-Point Survival and has been trained under Dave Canterbury at the Pathfinder School. He taught survival and bushcraft for several years at a private school to children between the ages of 8 and 17 as well as to adults in a professional setting since 2017. He has been a motivational speaker since 1995.
Florida WLA Lodge
Everte Farnell is an professional copywriter and the owner of our Florida Lodge. Everte is an avid lover of the outdoors and is our publishing editor of the Woodcraft League Magazine.
Pennsylvania WLA Lodge
Angella Yeager is co-owner of the WLA, works professionally with adults with intellectual disabilities, a former pre-school teacher and is a graduate from La Roche University, as well as our PA Lodge Owner.
Will You Be Our Next Woodcraft League of America Lodge or Tribe Owner?
Reach out to us to apply to own your very own Woodcraft League of America℠ Lodge or Tribe and Bob Yeager will personally review your application and schedule an
interview with you!
Online Learning is the Future of Education, In The Woodcraft League of America℠ and Beyond…
The Woodcraft League of America℠ is a contemporary organization founded by Bob Yeager with the aim of preserving and promoting traditional woodcraft skills and knowledge. The organization seeks to instill in its members a deep respect for nature and a commitment to environmental stewardship, while also providing comprehensive education programs in personal development, self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and conservation.
At the heart of the Woodcraft League of America’s℠ mission is the belief that wilderness skills are not just a means of survival, but a path to personal growth and self-discovery. The organization offers a range of programs that are designed to meet the needs of people of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced woodsman.
One of the core programs offered by the Woodcraft League of America℠ is the Master Woodsman’s Training. This comprehensive program covers a wide range of topics, including firecraft, toolcraft, roping, nature and conservation, gear and clothing, shelter and bedding, campsite setup, health and safety, navigation and travel, and food. The program is designed to be accessible to people of all skill levels, starting from basic skills in Part 1 and progressing to advanced woodsman skills in Part 4.
Teaching Methods and Experiential Learning
The best teaching model to use when teaching children The Woodcraft League of America’s Master Woodsman’s Training would be a combination of experiential learning and direct instruction.
Experiential learning allows children, and adults alike, to learn by doing, which is particularly effective when teaching wilderness skills. This model involves giving children the opportunity to experience the skills they are learning firsthand, such as building a shelter, starting a fire, or identifying different plant species. This can be achieved through outdoor activities and camping trips, as well as through hands-on projects and workshops.
Direct instruction, on the other hand, involves the teacher directly imparting knowledge to the students. This can include lectures, demonstrations, and structured lessons that teach the skills and knowledge necessary to become a Master Woodsman. This can be particularly effective for teaching skills that require a certain level of technical knowledge, such as using different tools or navigating with a map and compass.
The Woodcraft League of America plans to serve over 6 million students in online courses as part of our higher education wilderness skills and personal development programs.
It’s important to balance both experiential learning and direct instruction when teaching children the Master Woodsman’s Training. Providing hands-on experiences helps to reinforce the skills and knowledge they are learning through direct instruction. Additionally, incorporating games, storytelling, and other engaging activities can help to make the learning process more enjoyable and memorable for children.
In addition to its wilderness skills programs, the Woodcraft League of America℠ also offers personal development programs that are designed to help members develop self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal satisfaction. These programs include entrepreneurship training and conservation training, as well as a range of other programs that will evolve over time.
Community and Teamwork Are Critical to the Success of the Woodcraft League.
The Woodcraft League of America℠ is built on a foundation of family and community, with Bob Yeager’s wife and children playing key roles in the organization. The organization is structured around Lodge and Tribe ownership, with each Lodge serving as the overseer of multiple Tribes in a particular state. This structure fosters a sense of community and connection among members, while also promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility.
The Woodcraft League of America℠ is focused on nationwide community building, with Lodge owners in multiple states currently overseeing Tribes. The organization plans to have a Lodge in all 50 states by 2024, with at least 5 Tribes per state. The ultimate goal is to have over 2 million members by the beginning of 2025.
The Next Evolution in Contemporary Woodcraft Skills and Knowledge
In summary, the Woodcraft League of America℠ is a contemporary organization that is dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional woodcraft skills and knowledge, while also providing comprehensive education programs in personal development, self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and conservation. The organization is built on a foundation of family and community, with a focus on nationwide community building through Lodge and Tribe ownership. Its ultimate goal is to create a community of self-reliant, skilled, and environmentally-conscious individuals who share a love for the outdoors and are committed to personal growth and development.