·         The Promise Challenge

·         The Outdoor Challenge

·         The Outdoor Plus Challenge

·         The Creative Challenge

·         The Fitness Challenge

·         The Global Challenge

·         The Community Challenge

·         The Adventure Challenge

·         The Expedition Challenge

In General:

In the 16th these are the only badges we offer scouts, so we need to do everything we can to make them work for all the scouts over the entire 4 years of their time with us.   It is not helpful if they attempt to get everything in the first 2 years.  To help prolong this challenge we have included the need to ‘run a patrol camp as PL ( or APL if you are already 14 )’

The idea is to be flexible and to set a standard that challenges each scout appropriately. Therefore we may expect more from a scout who is already capable and fit, than we might from someone who is clearly isn’t.  The aim will be for each scout to show progress.

As a general rule scouts are required to keep at an activity for several weeks/ months, not to do or make something just once (maybe at school)

Evidence / Interview:

Where-ever possible items should be brought to scouts, play programmes, pictures, articles made etc. Instruments should be played to the troop at scouts or in a service (or the like) websites visited.  Certificates and medals brought, with evidence that these are new and not several weeks old.

Keeping Track

All Scouts should be interviewed at regular intervals to check on their progress through the Challenges. Notes will be made on what has been agreed at previous interviews.

Gaining Badges ‘Together’

It may be possible to run activities together for the purpose of gaining some Challenges; Community, Expedition, sections of Creativity etc.

Use of Troop Nights and Scout ‘Parade’ Services

Some parts of Promise Challenge might best be achieved through troop night discussions and activities. Scouts may bring and play instruments for parts of their Creativity Challenge.

Promise Challenge

Complete five activities in total, taken from at least two areas.

Examples are provided below but other similar activities can also be undertaken.

Area 1 – Commitment to the Promise and Scout Law

·         Explain how you have recently ‘done your best’ on at least three occasions and how this has made a difference.

·          Explain to a new Scout in your Troop the meaning of the Scout Promise and Law.

Area 2 – Relationship with your God

·         Take part in a number of acts of worship with others in the Troop, such as Scout Parades at your place of worship, and/or Scouts’ Owns.

·         Complete a course that furthers your understanding of your own faith community.

·         Write and read prayers and/or reflections for your Troop’s opening and closing ceremony.

·         Hold the My Faith Activity Badge gained in the past year.

Area 3 – The life of the Troop

·         Take an active part in at least two Troop Forums and express your views on at least one item being discussed.

·         Successfully run a learning experience for other Scouts, Cubs or Beavers

Area 4 – Developing beliefs and attitudes

·         Visit an act of worship of another faith community and compare the traditions and customs with your own.

·         Investigate a political or world issue, such as climate change, smoking, fair trade and explain your views to others on the subject. Provide material you have collected.

·         Take part in a debate on a topic of local or national interest. Provide material

·         As a Scout, give freely of your time to help someone less fortunate than yourself.

Outdoor Challenge

Cover most of the following activities:

·         Take part in 2 Nights Away, preferably camping,

·         Help to pitch and strike your tent.

·         Light a fire and cook at least one meal using an open fire.

·         Take part in a wide game.

·         Take part in a night hike or game and know about being safe in the dark.

·         Take part in a campfire or other entertainment.

·         Use 2 lashings to build a simple pioneering project.

·         Know 3 knots and their uses.

·         Understand the initial actions to take in the event of an accident.

·         Understand the importance of getting adult help and calling the emergency services.

·         Know basic map signs and use on a short hike with others.

·         Know how to treat minor cuts, burns and scalds, stings and insect bites.

·         Hold the Outdoor Challenge.

·         Have spent at least 12 nights away as a Scout, 8 of which must be camping.

·         Plan a balanced menu for a short camp.

·         Show how to safely teach axe and/or a saw.

·         Lead the cooking of a meal for the group on a woodfire.

·         Demonstrate 6 knots and 3 lashings

·         Undertake a overnight hike camp carrying all equipment and kit. ( Or hold Expedition Challenge)

·         Show knowledge of the safety precautions for the use of lamps and stoves.

·         Cook a backwoods meal or Build a bivouac and sleep in it.

·         Lead or help to lead a Patrol Camp setting up a well-organised site that includes sleeping tents, food and equipment stores, fire/stove, kitchen, dresser/ gadgets and eating area.

First Aid

·          Demonstrate how to open an airway and give CPR.

·         Know how and when to put a patient in the recovery position.

·         Know how to recognise and treat fractures and severe bleeding.

·         Know how to use direct pressure to stop bleeding.

·         Demonstrate an awareness of the dangers of temperature extremes such as sunstroke, dehydration, heat exhaustion and hypothermia and know how to prevent and treat them.

·          Trade

·          Health

·          Water & sanitation

·          Environment

·          Conflict

·          Refugees

·          Peace

·         Tourism

·          Poverty

·          Animal welfare

·          Conservation.

Then complete the following:

·          Show an understanding of the issues involved.

·          Take some action as a result of research

·          Compare how the issues affect the UK and countries overseas.

Community Challenge

Complete the activities in the two following areas.  Examples are provided below but other activities can also be undertaken.

Area 1 – Exploring the local community

Explore one aspect of how the local community works and is organised to the benefit of its members. The project should include some fact finding, a visit to or from a community facility or group and some form of report back.

For example: visits to see the workings of a theatre, tourist attraction, railway station, airport, local industry; chances to meet people involved in local government, charities, faith groups, interest groups; opportunities to hear about/take part in community traditions/customs, local clubs and interest groups.

Area 2 – Community service

Take an active part in some form of local community service totalling at least six hours. The time may be spent doing a number of different projects or by showing commitment to a single project over a longer period of time.

For example: running a fund-raising stall or game; delivering leaflets, clearing an area, gardening, collecting materials for recycling, helping with activities for younger children; moving furniture, clearing debris, painting fences, environmental projects. Where possible the service should link in with the visit in Area 1.

Expedition Challenge

Complete one of these:

Area 1 – Expedition – ‘A journey with a purpose’

Take part in an expedition on foot, canoe, cycle over two days (including a night away) with at least two other scouts. Be involved in the planning of the expedition, complete relevant training and be properly prepared.

During the expedition:

1. Play a full part in the team.

2. Journey for at least four hours each day.

3. Use a map to keep track of where you are.

4. Stay overnight at a hostel, other suitable venue, or camp overnight at a suitable site.

5. Cook the evening meal and breakfast.

6. Achieve at least one goal, agreed with your Leader before the expedition.

notes: Scouts must be supervised taking into account their preparation, training and level of experience. This may mean that certain legs are ‘led’ by young people themselves for information/ project purposes.

As a minimum, supervision involves a visual check on departure and at the end of each day, and being in the area of the activity. To lead a night’s away experience, a young person is required to hold a Nights Away Event Passport.

Area 2 – Exploration – ‘A purpose with a journey’

Take part in an exploration over two days (including a night away) with at least two other scouts, and report or present your findings. You must be involved in the planning of the exploration, complete relevant training and be properly prepared. You must have completed some initial research into the subject to be investigated. The challenge should take place somewhere you have never been before or don’t know well.

During the exploration:

1. Play a full part in the team.

2. Travel by public transport for at least 90 minutes to a hostel, campsite or other suitable venue.

3. Use a map to keep track of where you are.

4. Conduct the exploration within an agreed area (discussed with a Leader in advance) collecting evidence and information for the report or presentation.

5. Stay overnight at the venue and cook the evening meal and breakfast.

6. Complete the exploration before returning home.

7. Have the report or presentation ready within four weeks of the exploration.

·         notes: The ‘exploration’ element should last 4-5 hours over the two days. It could be anything from an investigation into bird life in a wood to visiting museums in a town.

Adventure Challenge

Take part in three different activities, two should be at least twice. Examples of various suitable activities are given below. This is a guideline rather than a complete list.

Adventure activities:

·         Climbing

·         Hill walking

·         Hiking

·         Explore a town or area you don’t know.

·         Orienteering

·         Plan and undertake a journey by public transport.

·         Caving or pot holing

·         Pony trekking or horse riding

·         Cycling

·         Sailing

·         Canoeing

·         Water-skiing

·         Surfing