Scoutcraft Badge

Welcome to Scouts! You should ideally aim to complete the Scoutcraft badge within 6 weeks of your investiture. It is your Patrol Leader's pleasure to assist you to earn this badge. Nevertheless, I would like to provide you with the following information to enable you to do the relevant research during your free time, and to be prepared.

The requirements for the Scoutcraft Badge are shown on pages 10 and 11 of 'The Scout Record Book' - the Green Book.

Area 1 - Knots:
You need to know how to tie and what the use of the reef knot, the clove hitch, the sheet bend and the rolling hitch are. They are explained in the 'Fieldbook for Australian Scouting' (pages 218-238). If you are able to search the web (parental guidance is preferred) look at www.animatedknots.com where you will see animated instructions for the tying of these knots, bends and hitches. Follow the "scouting" link.

Area 2 - Australian Flag:
Refer to page 181 of the 'Fieldbook for Australian Scouting' for everything that you need to know about the Australian Flag. Your Patrol Leader will practice the hoisting and the breaking of the flag with you.

Area 3 - Emergencies:
A lot of this is common sense, however, you will find the answers to this in Chapter 6 of the 'Fieldbook for Australian Scouting'.

Area 4 - Knives and Axes:
We would like you to be able to safely use axes and Scout knives and therefore you need to know the relevant safety rules. See pages 138 to 143 of the 'Fieldbook for Australian Scouting' for everything that you need to know. A Scout Leader will assist you when you have to demonstrate your skills! The rules governing the use of knives by Scouts at 1st Jerrabomberra are:

1. You need to have earned a Pioneer Badge BEFORE you have the right to ask permission to carry and use a pocket knife at Scouts.

2. Knives larger than Swiss Army pocket knives or Scout knives will probably be banned. Knives should have folding blades, which will fold away safely when not in use.

Area 5 - Pioneer Level (Red) Target Badge, a Discussion:
Once you have gained your Scoutcraft badge you are entitled to work for and earn the target badges, challenge badges and patrol activity badges (and bars) that will see you to achieve the Pioneer, Explorer and Adventurer cords. There are eight Target Badges available to you, and they can be done at Pioneer (Red - Easiest), Explorer (Blue) and Adventurer (Green - Hardest) levels. For Scouts around 11 to 12 years old, it is appropriate that the Pioneer level be attempted first. The Citizenship and Campcraft badges are mandatory, and during the rest of this year we will undertake a number of activities that will count towards those target badges. 'The Scout Record Book' deals with the award scheme in full detail and I invite you to read the book from cover to cover!

A Special Note to Parents
'The Australian Scoutbook" - the Green Book - is similar to the Yellow Book from Cubs and will be provided to your child by the Troop. We use this book to track their progress through Scouts. The 'Fieldbook for Australian Scouting' is the most useful book that a Scout can ever possess and will make a worthy addition to your library at home. They cost around $20 from Snowgum in Lonsdale Street in Braddon. Should you prefer to borrow a 'Fieldbook' at this juncture, we do have a 'Fieldbook' available for loan purposes in the library at the Scout Hall.