Scouting is about trying something new and developing skills, and this is where it all starts! Become an expert in something you love, or try something shiny and new. From athletics and astronomy to photography and pioneering, there’s something for everyone.
Membership Award
The membership award is the first badge you’ll get when you join us as a Scout, and you’ll be awarded this when you make the Scout Promise. This badge is worn by every single Scout in the world!
Activity Badges
There are 59 activity badges available to earn in Scouts, plus two extras, activity plus and instructor which can be applied to any activity badge. Activity badges are earnt by grouping a number of skills together that relate to the same activity. An example would be the power coxswain badge. You’d do things like learning about different types of boat, different classes of water, hazards and rules on the water, and then develop your skills in a power boat. Once all the requirements are met, the badge will be given to you! These badges are blue, with a red outer edge.
Staged Activity Badges
Staged Activity Badges are similar to a standard activity badge and there are 16 of them! The difference is they allow a young person to gain whichever badge is appropriate to the level of skill they have in that particular area. Generally speaking a Scout who has been through Beavers and Cubs should be aiming for Stage 3, however if its a skill that haven’t done before, they’ll probably start at Stage 1. These badges are light blue, with a purple outer edge and a number at the bottom which tells you the stage they are at.
Example Activity Badge
(Power Coxswain Badge)
Example Staged Activity Badge
(Emergency Aid Stage 1)
Challenge Awards
Challenge Awards are all about stepping outside your comfort zone. Try out something you wouldn’t normally be interested in. Take the lead on something that scares you. Along the way, you’ll unlock hidden talents and stand tall. There are 9 challenge awards in Scouts, and you can find out more about the detailed requirements by visiting the Scouts website.
Adventure Challenge
Creative Challenge
Personal Challenge
Skills Challenge
World Challenge
Team Leader Challenge
Outdoor Challenge
Teamwork Challenge
Expedition Challenge
Chief Scouts Gold Award
This is the highest award a Scout can earn. To complete it, you need to complete all nine of the Challenge Awards, plus six Activity badges. (You can wear your Chief Scout’s Silver Award on your uniform until you achieve your Chief Scout’s Gold Award)
Other Awards
Joining In Award
Joining In Awards are given to those who always roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. You can collect one for every year you’re a Scout
Leadership Stripes for Patrol Leaders
We’ll split the Scouts up into groups of 4-6 Scouts and these are called patrols. Each Patrol, will have a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. These are Scouts who have demonstrated leadership skills, showed competence in Scouting skills, good behaviour and been a good example to those in the Troop.
Leadership Stripes for Patrol Leaders
Eventually, it’ll be time to embrace your next adventure. Explorers awaits.
YouShape Award
At Scouts, young people learn how to speak up and take the lead. That’s what the new YouShape Award is all about.
Badges aren’t just earnt by joining us for an hour or so a week. Our badge criteria is flexible and you can sometimes earn badges by doing things outside of Scouting too. Maybe you can play for your local football team, or you’re a keen cyclist. If you can demonstrate or talk to us about the skills you’ve learnt, or print off the badge requirements for your chosen badge and get it signed by your teacher or instructor, we’ll see about awarding you with that badge! Maybe you could even share the skills you’ve learnt with the other Cubs too as part of your Team Leader Challenge Award!
