Girlguiding revamp sees traditional badges consigned to the past
Modern girls will learn skills such as vlogging and mindfulness in an overhaul of the organisation’s badges programme.
Generations of Girl Guides learnt how to be a hostess and operate a radio, but now these traditional badges are to be ditched in favour of 21st century pursuits such as vlogging, human rights, mixology and mindfulness.
In the biggest overhaul in Girlguiding history, traditional badges are to be consigned to the past, and replaced with 72 new ones designed to help young girls “take on the world”, the charity has announced.
The new programme of badges and activities fall under six themes – express myself, be well, know myself, skills for my future, have adventures and take action, it said.
Others for the age group include vlogging, human rights and personal brand.
One of the three archaeology badge challenges for Brownies (seven to 10-year-olds) is to go on a dig, find three objects and think about who they may have belonged to.
Other new badges for Brownies are aviation, mindfulness, my rights and baking, while Rainbows – the youngest Girlguiding group made up of five to seven-year-olds – could study for badges in healthy minds and recycling.
There are 12 new badges for Rainbows, 18 for Brownies, 24 for Guides and 18 for Rangers, and overall, there are 800 new badges and activities.
Volunteer Jess Bond, who worked on developing the programme, said: “We’ve really listened to what girls have told us they’d like to see and incorporated their suggestions, creating new badges and activities and updating others so they’re relevant now and in the future.
“Our ambition is to give girls the opportunity to discover and develop their interests, skills and confidence, take on new challenges and have fun and adventure with their friends.
“We want girls to feel equipped to take on the world.”
The new programme is being phased in over the next 12 months and will be fully rolled out by September 2019.
