This session talked about the different types of badges in the Australian Guide Program. A couple were singled out for discussion:
- the NSW Skills Challenge badges and
- the NSW linking badges: Making Tracks, Round the Bend, and Off the Beaten Track.
Information about these badges is available from the NSW Guide Shop.
Patrols were then asked to create presentations on different types of badges. Here are the patrol tasks and their responses:
Patrol 1: Create a presentation on the Create a Challenge badges.
Please include:
- What they are
- How they are assessed
- If and how they can be cross credited with other parts of the Recognition system or school work
- How do you program for them?
- How do you record girls’ progress?
- What age group are they aimed at?
- Are there any prerequisites?
Response
| What are they? |
Areas of interest - challenge the girls. There are 31 options, detailed in Look Wide. |
| Assessment |
They are peer assessed. |
| Cross creditation |
Can be cross credited with school projects, music, dancing etc. |
| Programming |
Get the girls to tell the Leader that they want to do one, Leader will put them into the term program. |
| Recording progress |
Girls: Look Wide book. Leaders: Guide Register sheet, spreadsheet, challenge sheets. |
| Age group |
Create a Challenge badges are aimed at girls of all ages in the Australian Guide Program (5-18). |
| Prerequisites |
Be a financial member of Guides Australia. The girls do not have to have made their Promise to gain Create a Challenge badges. |
Patrol 2: Create a presentation on the Explore a Challenge badges.
Please include:
- What they are
- How they are assessed
- If and how they can be cross credited with other parts of the Recognition system or school work
- How do you program for them?
- How do you record girls’ progress?
- What age group are they aimed at?
- Are there any prerequisites?
Response
| What are they? |
Badges based around specified challenges. Four challenges need to be met to gain each badge. |
| Assessment |
- Peer assessed - Patrol, Unit.
- Guest assessed - "specialist" related to the particular badge
- Leader input
|
| Cross creditation |
School work - within a time frame agreed upon by the Unit
Outside interests
|
| Programming |
Unit program, Patrol Time, Patrol-led night(s), Individual - girls discuss and arrange a time
|
| Recording progress |
In girls' workbooks, Leader spreadsheet/checklist, chart in hall
|
| Age group |
5-18 years
|
| Prerequisites |
Must be a financial member of Guides
|
| Notes |
A girl may achieve an Explore a Challenge badge more than once if she uses different clauses, OR achieves a higher level of proficiency. Girls may wear multiple versions of the same badge, or may choose a different (non-badge) reward.
It was also noted that girls moving to the next age level often say "I've done that one", and don't want to revisit Explore a Challenge badges that they have achieved when they were younger. A possible way around this is to encourage girls and parents to start a new badge sash when moving to the next age level. |
Patrol 3: Create a presentation on the Achieve a Challenge badges.
Please include:
- What they are
- How they are assessed
- If and how they can be cross credited with other parts of the Recognition system or school work
- How do you program for them?
- How do you record girls’ progress?
- What age group are they aimed at?
- Are there any prerequisites?
Response
| What are they? |
Skills-based achievement badges. There are three set levels, which are progressively more difficult. Competency based. |
| Assessment |
Qualified assessor or an adult who is skilled in the area. |
| Cross creditation |
Yes. School, other commitments/interests (externally). Link to Queen's Guide and Focus Awards. |
| Programming |
Night specific - stimulate interest, practice.
Specialist - visits, outings, demonstrations (Tingira etc)
Girl request (individual) or Unit |
| Recording progress |
Girls' log book (Keeping Track), Look Wide. Leader's log/spreadsheet. |
| Age group |
Skills based, e.g. level 1 based on difficulty and level of skill shown e.g. 7 year olds - level 1. |
| Prerequisites |
Badge specific. Level of attainment and higher level of skill shown than at previous level e.g. arts, boating. |
Patrol 4: Create a presentation on the Junior BP Award.
Please include:
- What it is
- How it is assessed
- If and how it can be cross credited with other parts of the Recognition system or school work
- How do you program for it?
- How do you record girls’ progress?
- What age group is it aimed at?
- Are there any prerequisites?
Response
| What is it? |
Peak Achievement Award - consists of 12 challenges. Bronze Endeavour presented half way through. |
| Assessment |
Peer assessed - constructive criticism |
| Cross creditation |
Skill learned through badge work/service/other activities e.g. MS Readathon, Glengarry Day |
| Programming |
Discuss at planning meetings - assign time to include activities. Encourage girls to include in patrol time. |
| Recording progress |
Record progress in Aim High, Unit records and workbooks |
| Age group |
7-10 years (approximately), but may be attempted by anyone. Must be completed by 18th birthday. |
| Prerequisites |
Have made or renewed the Promise before starting the award |
| Notes |
Every girl should challenge herself, have fun and choose to complete the award.
Certificate presented at a region event (in our Region) |
Patrol 5: Create a presentation on the BP Award.
Please include:
- What it is
- How it is assessed
- If and how it can be cross credited with other parts of the Recognition system or school work
- How do you program for it?
- How do you record girls’ progress?
- What age group is it aimed at?
- Are there any prerequisites?
| What is it? |
Peak Achievement Award - consists of 18 challenges. Silver Endeavour presented half way through |
| Assessment |
Peer assessed - constructive criticism |
| Cross creditation |
Skill learned through badge work/service/other activities e.g. MS Readathon, Glengarry Day |
| Programming |
Discuss at planning meetings - assign time to include activities. Encourage girls to include in patrol time. |
| Recording progress |
Record progress in Aim High, Unit records and workbooks |
| Age group |
11-14 years (approximately), but may be attempted by anyone. Probably too much for Junior Guides. Must be completed by 18th birthday. |
| Prerequisites |
Have made or renewed the Promise before starting the award. |
| Notes |
Certificate presented at a state event (in NSW). |
Discussion
There was some discussion on how the progress of girls is recorded. Some people use the Guide Registration form from the Guide Shop, some have made up their own.
Skills Challenge Badges (a New South Wales initiative)
There is available a separate recording sheet for leaders, which is the same as for the girls but without the coloured rainbow. This is on sale at the Guide Shop in packets of ten.
I have created an Excel spreadsheet to record which sections my Guides have completed. Using this allows me to see at a glance which girls have completed which challenges, and which ones still need to be done.
Of course, any recording system is only useful if you remember to update it regularly!
Badge recording
If you are a computer type of person rather than a paper records person, perhaps the Guide Administration System would be of interest. This is a database program that includes all sorts of things, including finances, badges, camps and activities. Whatever method you use, PLEASE record for each girl what badges she has earned, and when she earned them. This makes it much easier to check progress for awards, and for passing the information on if you or she leave the Unit. Badges presented can also be recorded in the Unit Meeting pages of the Australian Guide Unit Diary.
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