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Link badges for moving sections

the link badges

The retention of young people as they move between the sections in your group and on to Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network is paramount to our continued success.

To achieve this, you and the other leaders in your group or unit need to work together to maintain links. By meeting regular you will build relationships and ensure that suitable joint activities are organised and that consideration is given to planning young people's transfer from one section to another. Without cooperation between leaders very little can be achieved to establish a sense of group unity and family spirit.

The purpose our Link Badge is to assist with the process of members transferring to the next section and is designed to reinforce the importance of physically linking between sections and compliment the Moving On Award.

It is an optional activity and can be used as the first step in encouraging the young members to visit the next section and get to know the leaders. The tasks can be used for the Chief Scout Awards or challenge awards and as part of the Moving On award when they eventually 'move up'.

It can be done as part of a small group or as an individual.  It is anticipated that the linking visits and activities will take place in the term before transfer.

It is not a replacement to the Moving On Award.  This badge is just the first step in the process of 'going up'. The Moving On award is to be completed as intended.

Badge requirements:

Beavers to Cubs link

  1. Be at least 7½ years old

  2. Visit your cub pack with your parents/guardian or leader and take part in a game or activity

  3. Find out the names of the leaders, pack opening and how the sixes work

  4. Tell the other beavers in your colony about your visit

  5. Invite the sixers and/or the cub scout leaders to visit your colony to run a game or activity or talk to the beavers about cub scouts

  6. Optional: Take part in a group or joint beaver/cub activity 

Cubs to Scouts link

  1. Be at least 10 years old

  2. Visit your scout troop and take part in an activity (one of your cub leaders or parents/guardians should accompany you)

  3. Find out the names of the leaders and the patrol leaders, what happens during the troop opening and how the patrol system works

  4. Speak to the scout leaders after your visit to ask questions and tell them what you enjoyed the most about your visit

  5. Tell the other cubs in your cub pack about your visit

  6. Invite the patrol leaders and/or the scout leaders to visit your cub pack to run a game or activity and talk to the cubs about what it’s like to be a scout

  7. Optional: Take part in a group or joint cub/scout activity

Scouts to Explorers link

  1. Be at least 13½ years old

  2. Visit your chosen explorer scout unit and take part in an activity (one of your scout leaders may accompany you if you wish)

  3. Find out how the unit runs, what programme and activities they have planned such as camping trips and expeditions

  4. Speak to the explorer scout leader after your visit to ask questions and discuss with them when it would be good to visit again and arrange your transfer to the unit 

Explorers to Network link

  1. Be at least 17½ years old

  2. Visit a meeting of your district/local scout network unit and take part in an activity (one of your explorer scout leaders may accompany you if you wish)

  3. Find out how the network unit runs, what programme and activities such as camps, trips and expeditions they have planned

  4. Speak to the network leaders and members after your visit to ask questions and discuss when it would be appropriate to visit again and arrange your transfer to the unit 

 

Where are the badges worn?

The badges are worn on the right arm below the District and County badges. Over time, as each Link Badge is gained they should form a diamond shape on the sleeve.

Click here to download the requirements for this badge

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