A guide to cub scout badges

Upon joining the cub scouts, children can earn badges that indicate their achievements and abilities. Once a cub scout has achieved a badge, he can then attach it to his cub's uniform in order to proudly display his talents. The badges are awarded for a wide range of abilities, and include camping, book reader and animal carer badges.

About cub scouts

The cub scouts accept young people aged from aged eight to ten and a half, and are for children moving on from beavers, but who are not yet old enough to join the scouts. A pack of cub scouts is organised into Sixes, with each Six named after a colour, and a Sixer and a Seconder in charge. Cub scouts are exposed to many exciting, fun and educational pursuits. They may, for example, learn how to use computers, go swimming, take part in camping, "scouting" and exploration trips, as well as go on days out to the zoo or the park.

Core badges

Cub scouts are given opportunities to earn badges in order to recognise their development and growth in their newfound skills and ability. However, alongside activity badges, a cub scout must also earn his core badges. The first badge gained will be the membership badge, which indicates that a child is now part of the group. A cub scout can then continue to earn a badge for "joining in awards" which will indicate how long he has been part of the scout groups (including beavers). Finally, when he is ready to continue to the scouts, he will receive a "moving on award."

Activity badges

Activity badges are awarded for many different and diverse abilities, and skills. They include badges for artists, athletes, astronomers, chefs, entertainers, map readers, scientists, cyclists and collectors to name a few. There is a badge for every cub scout's hobby or interest, encouraging an ambition and desire to achieve without setting unrealistic goals.

Staged activity badges

There are six activity badges staged across the sections.This means that a cub scout can gain whichever badge is appropriate to the level that they have reached. A child, for example, will be given the opportunity to move up levels in swimming or playing an instrument according to his growing abilities. The six badges are, emergency aid, hikes away, information technology, musician, nights away and swimmer. Overall, the badges aim to reward and acknowledge that a cub scout is growing in ability and skills. They offer the opportunity for children to pursue their hobbies, gain new ones, and be recognised for doing so.