Badges

Badges are a big part of Scouting. They are a great way of tracking progress, showing achievement and building confidence and self-esteem.
There’s never any pressure to earn badges. Young people can work towards as many or as few as they choose.
Some badges will be awarded when the young person is first invested, some are earnt during Scouting sessions, and some can be earnt at home.

The core badges are awarded when first making the Scout promise. They are the purple World Scouting badge, the county, district and group badges.

The yearly service badge is awarded each year. Only the highest number should be worn on the uniform.

All of these badges should be moved to new uniform when moving up to the next Scouting section.

Staged activity badges can be earnt in Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs or Scouts. Young people can progress through the stages, earning higher stage numbers on the badge. Only the highest number should be worn on the uniform.

These badges should be moved to new uniform when moving up to the next Scouting section.

Activity badges are earnt for specific activities, and apply only within the Scouting section the young person is currently in (Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs or Scouts).

These badges can NOT be moved to new uniform when moving up to the next Scouting section.

Challenge award badges are harder to earn than Activity badges, taking multiple sessions. They apply only within the Scouting section the young person is currently in (Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs or Scouts).

These badges can NOT be moved to new uniform when moving up to the next Scouting section.

Chief Scout badges are the highest achievement in Scouting for young people. They are earnt after earning all of the applicable Challenge award badges.

These badges should be moved to new uniform when moving up to the next Scouting section, and worn until a higher level Chief Scout badge is earnt.

Where do they go?

Some badges do not go on the uniform. They are called “fun badges” or “blanket badges” and are often awarded at camps or for special activities. Traditionally these are sewn on to a camp blanket, but some people also use a poncho, shirt or hoodie for their badges. Spare badges, like old staged badges or badges from an old uniform, can also go on the camp blanket.

Can I have more badges?

Yes!
While some badges, especially the Challenge Award badges, need to be leader led, there are lots of badges that can be earnt at home.
The leaders are always happy to look at any badge work completed at home and will try to fit into an upcoming session if needed to complete one of the requirements (for example, “show other Scouts what you have achieved”).

Why not earn as many badges as possible at home? It’s possible some badges are already completed, and you don’t know it!
Let leaders know when starting to work towards a badge, and write down everything you do so they can check it and award the badge in session.
Badges you may want to work towards at home:

  • Animal Carer
  • Artist
  • Book Reader
  • Chef
  • Collector
  • Cyclist
  • Gardener
  • Hobbies
  • Home Help
  • Musician
  • Photographer
  • Sports
  • Sports Enthusiast
  • Swimmer
  • Writer

Find all badge requirements at Scouts.org.uk.