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Scouts NSW - Cardiff Scout Group

Badges

How Do I Earn Badges?

Badges are one of the best parts of Scouting!

At Cardiff Scout Group, there are lots of badges you can earn while having adventures, learning new skills, trying new things and challenging yourself.
Some badges come from joining Scouts, while others are earned by getting involved in activities, improving your outdoor skills, completing projects or taking on a bigger challenge.
So, what badges can you earn?
 

Your First Badges

When you first join Scouts, you don't have to complete a heap of challenges before you can start wearing badges.
As you learn about Scouts and are invested into your Section, you will receive the badges that show you belong to Scouts, your Section and your Scout Group.
Your Leaders will explain what each badge means and show you where it goes on your uniform. The person sewing the badges on your uniform can use the Badge Placement sheet so you don't have to remember and can enjoy the experience.
Then it's time to start earning more!
 

Milestone Badges

How do I earn them?

Turn up, get involved and have a go!
 
Milestone badges recognise your involvement in the activities your Section does. As you progress, you will also get opportunities to help choose, organise or lead activities yourself. The Milestone badges are linked to the Challenge Areas that the weekly programs are based around: Community, Creative, Outdoor and Personal Growth.
 
There are three Milestone badges:
  • Milestone 1
  • Milestone 2
  • Milestone 3
The more you get involved in Scouts, the more opportunities you'll have to progress towards your next Milestone.
 
Best way to earn them: Come to Scouts, join in the activities and don't be afraid to have a go at something new.
 

Outdoor Adventure Skills Badges

Like camping and outdoor adventures? These badges are for you!

Outdoor Adventure Skills badges recognise the practical skills you learn through Scouting.
 
You can earn badges for skills such as camping, bushwalking and bushcraft, as well as a range of other outdoor and adventurous activities like abseiling and paddling (canoes and kayaks).
 
These badges have different stages. As your skills improve, you can work towards higher stages and earn higher level badges. There are 9 levels in each outdoor adventure skill and some branch into specialty areas. 
 
You might earn them by learning how to set up camp, navigate, cook outdoors, plan a walk, look after yourself in the bush or demonstrate other adventurous skills.
 

How do I earn them?

Get outdoors, learn the skills, practise them and show what you can do.
 
Ask your Leader what Outdoor Adventure Skills badge you are currently closest to earning and what you need to do next.
 

Special Interest Area Badges

This is where YOU get to choose!

Have something you really enjoy? Want to learn a new skill? Have an idea for a project you've always wanted to try? You can turn it into a badge!
 
Special Interest Area badges can be earned in six areas:
  • 🏃Adventure & Sport
  • 🎨Arts & Literature
  • 🌏Creating a Better World
  • 🌱Environment
  • 🌟Growth & Development
  • 🔬STEM & Innovation
Your challenge could involve almost anything that fits into one of these areas.
You could learn something new, build or create something, improve a skill you already have, help your community, take on a sporting challenge or investigate something you're interested in.
 

How do I earn one?

Choose something that interests you, decide what you want to achieve, make a plan and give it a go.
Talk to your Leader about your idea before you start so they can help you work out what you need to do to earn the badge.
 

Adventurous Journey Badge

Ready for a bigger adventure?

An Adventurous Journey is your chance to take the skills you've learned at Scouts and use them on a real adventure.
Depending on your age and interests, your journey might involve bushwalking, paddling, cycling or another outdoor adventure.
The important part is that you are involved in planning and leading the journey, rather than simply turning up and following someone else.
The challenge becomes bigger as you get older and more experienced.
 

How do I earn it?

Choose an adventure, talk to your Leader, plan it properly and then get out there and do it!
If this sounds like something you'd like to try, ask your Leader what is required for your age group.
 

Peak Award

Want to go for the BIG one?

Each age group in Scouts has a Peak Award. This is the major award you can work towards while you are in that Section.
The Peak Awards are:
  • 🏅Joey Scouts: Joey Scout Challenge Award
  • 🐺Cub Scouts: Grey Wolf Award
  • ⚜️Scouts: Australian Scout Award
  • 👑Venturer Scouts: King's Scout Award
  • ⚜️Rover Scouts: Baden-Powell Scout Award
A Peak Award isn't just one challenge. You earn it by completing a number of different badges and challenges during your time in the Section.
That includes progressing through Milestones, improving your Outdoor Adventure Skills, completing Special Interest Area projects and taking on an Adventurous Journey, along with the other requirements for your age group.
 

How do I earn my Peak Award?

Start earning badges!
You don't need to decide on your first night at Scouts that you're going to earn a Peak Award. By getting involved and earning badges along the way, you may already be completing parts of it.
 
If earning your Peak Award sounds like a challenge you'd like to take on, talk to your Leader and ask what you need to do next.
 

So, what badge should I work on next?

Not sure? Ask your Leader!
They can help you work out:
  • what badges you are already working towards
  • what you're close to completing
  • which outdoor skill you could work on next
  • how to turn one of your interests into a badge
  • what you need to do if you want to work towards your Peak Award.
You don't have to earn every badge and you don't have to progress at the same speed as anybody else.
Choose something that interests you, challenge yourself and have a go.
Every badge tells the story of something you've learned, experienced or achieved.
 

For those who want the official Scout terminology...

Scouts Australia calls the overall badge and personal progression system the Achievement Pathways.
You'll hear terms such as Milestones, Outdoor Adventure Skills, Special Interest Areas, Adventurous Journey and Peak Award when people talk about the Achievement Pathways.
That is the official language, but we know most kids have a much simpler question:

"What badges can I earn, and what do I need to do to get them?"

That's what this page is about.
If there's a badge you'd like to earn, talk to your Leader at Cardiff Scout Group and we'll help you work out how to get started.
 
If you want to know where you are along your journey to get a badge, you can look it up in Terrain- Scouts Australia's progress tracking tool.