Joey Badges and Awards
Joey Scouts participate in a number of activities that are specific to the age group, which allows them to strive to earn a badge in a fun yet meaningful fashion
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Each of the Challenges are usually done by the whole Mob together and some Challenges have elements that families can do together with their Joey Scout.
Four of the Challenges are considered 'Participation' badges, where the Joey Scout earns these badges by joining in with their Mob or fellow Joey Scouts on the same Challenge. In addition to the specific aspects of each Challenge, these activities develop the Joey Scouts' social awareness, and spirit of teamwork.
The Promise Challenge is the major Challenge for the Joey Scout Section and has some individual elements as well as activities to do with the Mob. This is generally attempted by the older Joey Scouts.
The following pages and links provide greater detail on each of the Joey Challenges.
The Participation Scheme
Caring and Sharing Badge
The Joey Scout motto is ‘Help Other People’.
One way in which Joey Scouts can help other people is through participating in a Care and Share activity. Activities are organised for the Mob across a Month, to help the Joey Scouts to understand the concept of caring and sharing in the community.
The Joey Scouts are introduced to different levels of caring and sharing, for friends, for the Scout Group and for the community. They learn that even small contributions add up and can make a difference. As part of this Challenge they might visit a local nursing home or contribute a special toy to a toy library, help to tidy up the local park, or share something special with the Mob, a new story, or a new game. Helping a friend is Caring and Sharing too.
Buddy Scheme Badge
Joey Scout Mobs arrange to visit each other, share activities and have great fun. This helps to broaden their sense of community, and creates opportunities for new and varied experiences. The Challenge shows them that they are part of a much larger world-wide Movement.
Special activities are held when Mobs visit. Later, this could progress to sharing an outdoor activity, sleepover or Mob holiday, you can also have a 'virtual' Mob buddy scheme by using the Internet. The Mob who you buddy with can be any Mob, inside or outside your District.
Adventure Challenge Badge
This challenge is designed to broaden each Joey Scout's life experiences through visiting places the Mob would not usually visit. Some of the adventures the Mob could go on include a trip to the beach, waterway, zoo, museum, bush walk, farm etc.
The Joey Scouts are also encouraged to make a personal record of their adventures (photos, drawings or stories).
The Joey Scout Promise Challenge Badge
The Joey Scout Promise Challenge Badge is the highest achievement that a Joey Scout can attain. It is not expected that all Joey Scouts will attempt and complete this Challenge, but all are welcome to 'give it a go'. The Joey Scout Leaders will provide guidance as to whether a Joey Scout is ready for the Challenge. It is an individual badge designed for the 7 year old Joey Scout and is the major Challenge for the Joey Scout Section. It has individual elements as well as activities to do for the Mob.
The aim of this Challenge is to allow older Joey Scouts to gain a greater understanding of the Scout Promise and Law and to learn about our Founder, Lord Baden Powell (BP), and the history of Scouting. This will require the Joey Scout to find out about Baden-Powell, and the larger Scouting Movement. They will expand their understanding (in an age appropriate manner) of;
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Duty to God
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Duty to Others
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Duty to Self
The Promise Challenge should reflect the maturity of the Joey Scouts and their greater understanding of the Promise and Law. This will require the Joey Scout to complete certain elements away from the Mob meeting. These will involve research and discussion with their parents and leaders as well as a presentation to their mob upon the completion of the task.
Special Interest Badges
Bring a Friend Badge
This badge can be earned by any Youth Member, and it can be earned multiple times too! To earn this badge a Joey Scout must bring a friend (not a current member) to at least 3 meetings/activities:
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During which the Joey Scout (and their Leaders) teach the friend a simple Scouting skill.
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And the friend learns something about the next Section (e.g. coming to the Joey Scout Mob and learning about Cub Scouts), which could simply be who they are, what they do etc.
That's it! Your friend does not have to join Scouting in order for you to earn the badge. We rely on our Joey Scout program being exciting enough to encourage them to join us.
The first Bring a Friend badge you earn goes on your uniform. However, if you bring more friends, and earn more badges – these can be sewn onto your camp blanket or pillow.
Their Service - Our Heritage
This badge is earned by attending events that are a part of ANZAC remembrance.
Usually, participation in your local ANZAC memorial march, or attending the Dawn service in Joey Uniform, is enough to qualify. This badge can ONLY be worn for the year it is presented, and MUST be removed from your uniform around the following ANZAC day. Each year the edging colour is different, which means a new badge can be earned each year, in all sections of scouting.
World Scout Environment Badge
This is a badge from the World Scout Environment Program which helps Scouts around the world work together for the good of the local and global environment. This badge can be achieved as part of all youth sections and encourages participants to explore and reflect on both their own environment and others around the world. They are then encouraged to take action with an environment project relating to their previous learning.
The Sleepover Badge
Joey Scouts may earn a badge signifying that they have successfully been to a Sleepover. Importantly, earning this badge means that the Joey Scout can meet all the requirements below and is a great preliminary to future years in Cub and Scout Camps.
Requirements to be achieved
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Attend a sleep over
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Pack a bag of clothes & stuff a sleeping bag
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Hygiene - know the 5 times when they should wash their hands
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After going to the toilet
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Before eating
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After Eating
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When they blow their nose
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When they are dirty
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Cub Scout Link Badge
The Cub Scout Link Badge is earned by the Joey Scout as they prepare to ‘go up’ to the next section of Scouting, Cubs Scouts. It is earned by visiting the Cub Scout Pack, and learning the Cub Scout Promise and Law. Your Mob and Pack Leaders will arrange these linking activities.
The Link badge is generally the last badge earned as a Joey Scout, and can be worn throughout the rest of their Scouting Adventure, It is the first of the links in the chain of link badges to be gained as they progress from Section to Section.