Gaining Badges and Beyond
So you want to earn a badge?
Hopefully the below will detail the steps you can apply to earn any badge and the skills you learn can be applied to and project that you have.
You just need to believe in yourself and no matter how long it takes that you can do it.
Step 1
Identify the badge
Not always as easy as it sounds, there are lots of badges that you can achieve. Choose one the interests you! There is no point struggling to do a badge if it is something that you hate doing. Choose something that is a slight challenge and that you will be proud of achieving. Ask your leaders or parents for advice look at your handbook / badge book/websites see the links section for help.
I have chosen the cub map reader badge
Step2
Break it down
Yahoo you have chosen your badge. Most handbooks give you a list of things that you either have to do or options or even a mixture of both. Take this list break it down into even smaller.
For example for the cub map reader badge one requirement is to be able to use a six figure map reference number. Break it down. Get a map of your local area, locate your house, meeting place (this also counts as a requirement), learn the four figure reference number for these places and finally learn and use the six figure reference numbers for these places. I played battleships with my cubs
Step 3
Identify what you need
Or in adult speak resource planning.
What equipment do you need?
No point wanting to do the dragon boat racing badge if you can’t access a dragon boat or bell boat
How long is it going to take?
This is more important for Duke of Edinburgh and badges that require specific time scales. Or you might want to cover a badge of the holidays or during a camp are you going to have the time to be able to do this?
What help are you going to need?
Do you need an adult to teach you new skills? Do you need to go to classes? Can you find help online?
Are you able to continue?
At this point you might decide that you are unable to the badge you want that is ok it is better that you find out now. Just go back to step 1 and try again. If you are confident you can continue fab step 4 here we come.
For example for the cub navigator badge
I needed maps of the local area
Ordnance survey symbol flash cards http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education-research/teaching-resources/map-symbol-flashcards.html
A large training compass
How to read a map resource
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education-research/resources/map-symbol-sheets.html
Organise an outdoor activity using points of a compass and a map
Step4
Record what you did.
This is where your book comes in really handy.
Tick things off as you go along getting an adult to sign and date it. Take photos or even video ideal for your presentations for Duke of Edinburgh or even your for your leaders to see what you have been up to. I love seeing photos of what my cubs have been doing outside of the normal meeting and sometimes even put them up on our board in the hall.
Step 5
Achievement
Yahoo you have done it!!
Some badges have special award presentations and some have normal presentations in your meeting place. Either way be proud of what you have achieved enjoy the moment. Get your badge on your uniform as soon as possible and wear it with pride.
This is me being presented my Queens Scout Award.
Links
For books for Beavers, Rainbows, Cubs, Brownies, Scouts, Guides, Explorers and Senior section www.akelasden.co.uk
http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/home.aspx
About Akela’s Den
Akela’s Den is a Scouting, Guiding and outdoor equipment independent retailer based in Fife. Akela’s Den, an independent retailer specialising in meeting the needs of Scouts, Guides and outdoor enthusiasts, continues to grow with new additions to their stock list arriving regularly .From fun badges to rucksacks there is plenty for everyone. There are big name brands in stock as well as access to all of scouting and guiding general sale products. www.akelasden.co.uk