The underlying premise of the Scouting movement is that members will develop their skills and knowledge base through activities and challenges, and will be awarded badges and certificates for their effort. Camps and outdoor events are also included, giving members a chance to experience new challenges and different environments and lifestyles.
The badge and award program varies depending on the Scout age group (Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorer), and the type of activity being undertaken. Some of the types of badges and awards include: Membership and Participation, Challenges, Activities and Partnerships. Activity badges are the most familiar to many people outside of Scouts – these include topics such as Aviation, Angling, Cooking, Fire Safety, Life Saving, Navigating and Survival Skills. In recent years the Scouts Association has attempted to modernise the Activity Badge program and has extended it to include such awards as World Faiths, Astronautics, Global Conservation and Street Sports.
Scout camps are another popular activity, and these can be organized by the individual Scout Troop or Group, the wider Scout County group, or even the national Scout Association. In some instances, as with World Jamborees, the camp may extend to include every scout member who wishes to participate (and make the journey to the country the Jamboree is being held in). In general the scout camps are intended to encourage bonding and team work, independence and creativity, and the realisation amongst the scouts that they are capable of achieving great feats – whether this be the simple challenge of lighting a camp fire, or something more complicated such as constructing a tent from natural materials.
The badge and award program varies depending on the Scout age group (Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorer), and the type of activity being undertaken. Some of the types of badges and awards include: Membership and Participation, Challenges, Activities and Partnerships. Activity badges are the most familiar to many people outside of Scouts – these include topics such as Aviation, Angling, Cooking, Fire Safety, Life Saving, Navigating and Survival Skills. In recent years the Scouts Association has attempted to modernise the Activity Badge program and has extended it to include such awards as World Faiths, Astronautics, Global Conservation and Street Sports.
Scout camps are another popular activity, and these can be organized by the individual Scout Troop or Group, the wider Scout County group, or even the national Scout Association. In some instances, as with World Jamborees, the camp may extend to include every scout member who wishes to participate (and make the journey to the country the Jamboree is being held in). In general the scout camps are intended to encourage bonding and team work, independence and creativity, and the realisation amongst the scouts that they are capable of achieving great feats – whether this be the simple challenge of lighting a camp fire, or something more complicated such as constructing a tent from natural materials.