As closely linked to the Scouts as the woggle and the khaki shorts,
badges have long been worn with pride, conscientiously earned and,
usually, badly sewn on.
Woodcraft and cooking, orienteering and bird watching have been among the most popular awards in the Scouting movement’s 107-year history. But now the famous badges are to see a change: out go wood-whittling, blacksmithery and other old-school notions of what young people ought to be doing to improve their characters and in come some far more up-to-date ideas covering computer whizzery, disability awareness, understanding global issues, photography and helping out in food banks and othercommunity-based projects.
In all, 250 badges are to be introduced or updated across the six to 18 age range in what the Scouting Association says is its biggest revamp of the movement. The wave of modernisation began two years ago when a new Scout promise was introduced that allows atheists to skip the “God” part of the oath that new members are required to take when they join.
A vast range of hobbies and activities are reflected in Scout badges, from horse riding to sailing, coxswain to smallholder, air navigation to parascending. While some have been updated to reflect safety guidelines or science, others, like snowboarding, geocaching and paddle sports, have been brought in to cover new interests and activities that might not have existed a few decades ago.
But outdoor skills remain key, insisted Wayne Bulpitt, the UK’s chief commissioner of the Scouting Association, who said the introduction of the “digital citizen” badge is not a sign that they are encouraging boys and girls to stay indoors on their screens.
“Grit and resilience are the new buzzwords,” he said. “One of the reasons we are growing and succeeding is that there’s something for everyone, whether it’s a traditional craft or something with computers.
“But we don’t want to move away from the tradition of adventure; we also want young people to be aware of disability, for example, to be inclusive, to have skills around teamworking and leadership. Of course, some of the outdoor skills have to be modified,” he said, agreeing that in the past badges that required whittling sticks with sharp hunting knives or carrying other children down stairs to escape fires are unlikely to find favour with most modern parents. Now Scouts will be able to work towards Navigator, Camp Craft and Community Impact badges.”
TV presenter and adventurer Bear Grylls – chief Scout and one of the ultimate advocates of outdoor activities – said the new badges were essential to keeping young people engaged and enthused: “We’re delighted to be launching a new range of badges that guarantee fun and adventure while encouraging Scouts to develop a greater understanding of their local communities within modern society. And the contribution they can make.”
He said scouting had to continue to evolve. “The new badges make sure we are able to keep offering activities that educate and enthuse young people in equal measure.”
Encouraging leadership is also a key issue for the Scouts, which has an ever-growing problem with recruiting enough volunteers to bring some of the 40,000 young people on their waiting lists into the movement. “We’d love to bring Scouting to everyone, as there is so much to be gained in developing skills and in growing in character,” said Bulpitt.
But he admitted there were no plans to sort out one of the key issues that torments parents of boys and girls in the Scouts – sewing on those fiddly little badges. “No plans for an iron-on version yet,” he said. “Sorry.
Woodcraft and cooking, orienteering and bird watching have been among the most popular awards in the Scouting movement’s 107-year history. But now the famous badges are to see a change: out go wood-whittling, blacksmithery and other old-school notions of what young people ought to be doing to improve their characters and in come some far more up-to-date ideas covering computer whizzery, disability awareness, understanding global issues, photography and helping out in food banks and othercommunity-based projects.
In all, 250 badges are to be introduced or updated across the six to 18 age range in what the Scouting Association says is its biggest revamp of the movement. The wave of modernisation began two years ago when a new Scout promise was introduced that allows atheists to skip the “God” part of the oath that new members are required to take when they join.
A vast range of hobbies and activities are reflected in Scout badges, from horse riding to sailing, coxswain to smallholder, air navigation to parascending. While some have been updated to reflect safety guidelines or science, others, like snowboarding, geocaching and paddle sports, have been brought in to cover new interests and activities that might not have existed a few decades ago.
But outdoor skills remain key, insisted Wayne Bulpitt, the UK’s chief commissioner of the Scouting Association, who said the introduction of the “digital citizen” badge is not a sign that they are encouraging boys and girls to stay indoors on their screens.
“Grit and resilience are the new buzzwords,” he said. “One of the reasons we are growing and succeeding is that there’s something for everyone, whether it’s a traditional craft or something with computers.
“But we don’t want to move away from the tradition of adventure; we also want young people to be aware of disability, for example, to be inclusive, to have skills around teamworking and leadership. Of course, some of the outdoor skills have to be modified,” he said, agreeing that in the past badges that required whittling sticks with sharp hunting knives or carrying other children down stairs to escape fires are unlikely to find favour with most modern parents. Now Scouts will be able to work towards Navigator, Camp Craft and Community Impact badges.”
TV presenter and adventurer Bear Grylls – chief Scout and one of the ultimate advocates of outdoor activities – said the new badges were essential to keeping young people engaged and enthused: “We’re delighted to be launching a new range of badges that guarantee fun and adventure while encouraging Scouts to develop a greater understanding of their local communities within modern society. And the contribution they can make.”
He said scouting had to continue to evolve. “The new badges make sure we are able to keep offering activities that educate and enthuse young people in equal measure.”
Encouraging leadership is also a key issue for the Scouts, which has an ever-growing problem with recruiting enough volunteers to bring some of the 40,000 young people on their waiting lists into the movement. “We’d love to bring Scouting to everyone, as there is so much to be gained in developing skills and in growing in character,” said Bulpitt.
But he admitted there were no plans to sort out one of the key issues that torments parents of boys and girls in the Scouts – sewing on those fiddly little badges. “No plans for an iron-on version yet,” he said. “Sorry.
