Badges for Beavers?
The Beaver Law says: "A Beaver has fun, works hard and helps family and friends"
The other age sections in Scouting (Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers) all receive recognition for their hard work, so why shouldn't Beavers as well. Since its inception in 1974, people have spoken about creating a badge program for Beavers, but it's never made it to the forefront in Canada, as it has elsewhere in the world. Scouts Canada has looked at it seriously now.
With the Canadian Path Scouts Canada has introduced a balance badge program for Beaver Scouts!
What is the point of a Badge Programme?
It is a recognition method, for some of our activities, that adds a new level of constructive development to our program.
For the Beavers, it is recognition for their work.
For the parents, it is more clearly defined values, wisdom and experience that are adding to their child's growth and development - based on professional and volunteer researched criteris.
For some youth, it is the beginnings of goal setting skills.
For the Scouters, it is a useful and well planned tool to help deliver a solid programme.
What is the difference between these badges and camp/event badges?
The "camp badges" that we give out, are souvenirs of a visit or an event. They are intended as a keepsake of the event, where participation is the only requirement, and are not intended to be part of their regular uniform vest. Many put them on a camp blanket, or wall hanging. Our Colony likes to use the back of the vest as a "camp blanket".
These badge, (mostly also accomplished as part of group activities) will go on their Beaver vests, showing that they have met the criteria and received the recognition.
Will this not separate or upset Beavers who don't get them?
By design, most of the badges are only accomplished as part of group projects. Therefore, if they are participating, learning and doing, they will receive it, and no one will be left out. We will at times, exercise a certain amount of flexibility on this topic, never wanting to exclude anyone. Additionally, there are a few that we really can't do at a meeting, and that a teacher or mentor will have to sign off on, individually. For the most part, the Beavers do realize that by working hard, they too can receive what the others have.
Can we work on them at home?
Certainly! Some are more applicable than others, but let us know and we will let them share what they have done with the Colony.
What kind of badges are there?
Personal Progression Badges
Personal progression badges are a set of 3 badges (one for each year of Beaver Scouts) that are presented near the end of the year to show that they Beaver Scout has successfully completed a year of adventures with the Colony. Each year a Beaver Scout will earn one of these dependent on their Tail level.
Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS)
OAS is a set of 9 pathways that recognize the skills, knowledge and experience of youth in Scouting. OAS start in Beaver Scouts and continue through Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturer Scout all the way through Rover Scouts. Each pathway has 9 stages, each stage building on the previous stages in the skills and knowledge that the youth demonstrate and the experiences that are needed to complete the stage. Beaver Scouts should be able to complete Stage 1 and 2 of each pathway. Older Beavers who are more interested in a particular pathway may be able to complete Stage 3. The Stages are not age dependent but rather depend on the skills, knowledge and experiences of the youth.
Personal Achievement Badges (PAB)
PAB are a set of 16 badges that Beaver Scouts can choose to complete during their Beaver Scout adventures or at home during family adventures. To complete a PAB, Beaver Scouts will set 3 goals in the theme of the PAB to be completed over a number of different adventures. Once the Beaver Scout completes their goals they will be presented with a PAB. It is possible to complete multiple of the same PAB so long as the adventures used to complete the badge are different and challenging to the individual Beaver. A Beaver can only work on one version of a PAB at a time, though can be working on multiple different PAB at the same time.
North Star Award
The North Star Award is the Top Section Award for Beavers Scouts. This award can be earned in the final year of Beaver Scouts prior to moving on to Cub Scouts. Approximately 6 months before the end of the Scouting year, White Tail Beaver Scouts will start their Northern Lights Quest to help them earn their North Star Award. To complete the quest and earn the award Beaver Scouts complete a personal progression review, a set number of volunteer hours, a set number of OAS stages and a Beaver Scout capstone project.
Language Strips
Language Strips are worn by youth who are sufficiently fluent at an age appropriate level to carry on a simple Scouting conversation in that language. There are strips for a large range of languages including: French, English, Spanish, Chinese, German, Greek, Italian and others.
Canadian Path Beaver Scout Link Badge
The Canadian Path Beaver Scout Link Badge is presented to White Tail Beaver Scouts when they are ready to swim up to Cub Scouts. It marks that a Beaver Scout has completed their adventures at The Pond with the Beaver Scout Colony and is ready for new adventures Exploring the Jungle with the Cub Scout Pack.
Service Stripes
Each year of membership is recognized with a Service Stripe. Silver Stripes represent 1 year of service to Scouting. Gold Stripes represent 5 years of service to Scouting.