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Challange Badges

There are eight Challenges for the Scouts to complete.

The Outdoor Challenge

The Outdoor Plus Challenge

The Creative Challenge

The Fitness Challenge

The Global Challenge

The Community Challenge

The Adventure Challenge

The Expedition Challenge

These Challenges can be tackled by individuals or by groups. Leaders should offer these Challenges by delivering a Balanced Programme based around the six Programme Zones.

Scoutcraft and Adventure

Global

Community

Fit for Life

Exploring Beliefs and Attitudes

Creative Expression

Each Sea Scout is expected to show personal commitment and be fully involved in the activities. The level of involvement will depend on the Sea Scout's previous experience and personal ability. The activity should offer a challenge to those involved, but should not be seen as a pass or fail situation. An activity may not have seemed 100% successful, but the Sea Scouts could still have learnt from the situation and gained experience. Back to top

The Outdoor Challange

The Sea Scout should take an active part in a residential experience, preferably camping, for at least two nights. During the event, they should take part in many of the following activities:

help to pitch and strike a tent

light a fire and cook at least one meal on it

set up a suitable stove and cook a meal on it

demonstrate personal hygiene

keep all belongings organised and tidy within the accommodation

maintain a tidy and orderly site

take part in a wide game

take part in a campfire or other entertainment

build a simple pioneering project

build a useful camp gadget

explore the environment of the camp

with others, successfully complete a two-hour activity or project

provide a service commitment to the site for about an hour.

This list gives an idea of the type and style of the activities that the residential experience should include. Depending on the activity, there may be extra ideas that could be included, which can be discussed in the Troop Forum.
In addition to the above, the Sea Scout will need to demonstrate basic emergency aid skills when on a residential experience:

understand the initial actions to take in the event of an accident

understand the importance of getting adult help and when to call the emergency services

know how to treat minor cuts, burns, scalds, stings and insect bites. Back to top

The Outdoor Plus Challange

To complete this Challenge the Sea Scout must:

hold the Outdoor Challenge

have spent at least eight nights away as a Sea Scout, four of which must be camping

take an active part in a further camp of at least two nights, which should include many of the following:

lead a group of Sea Scouts in the setting up of a well-organised site that includes sleeping tents, food and equipment stores, fire/stove, kitchen and eating area

plan a balanced menu for a short camp

show how to use an axe or a saw or both safely

lead the cooking of a meal for the group

show knowledge of the safety precautions for the correct use of lamps and stoves

cook a backwoods meal with the group

build a working camp gadget, such as an altar fire, camp oven or gateway to a campsite

take a leading role in the construction of a pioneering project

build a bivouac and sleep in it.

This list gives an idea of the type and style of the activities that the residential experience should include. Depending on the activity, there may be extra ideas that could be included, which can be discussed in the Troop Forum.
As well as the above requirements, the Sea Scout will need to demonstrate knowledge of emergency aid for the outdoors, and will have to:

demonstrate mouth-to-mouth resuscitation using a simulator

know how and when to put a patient in the recovery position

know how to recognise and treat fractures and severe bleeding

know how to use direct pressure to stop bleeding

demonstrate an awareness of the dangers of temperature extremes, such as sunstroke, dehydration, heat exhaustion and hypothermia, and know how to prevent and treat them. Back to top

The Creative Challange

Area One - Performing
Take part in an entertainment in front of an audience.

For example: a short play, a series of sketches, magic tricks, singing, playing a musical instrument, a Sea Scout Show, a dance, or a puppet show.
Area Two - Crafts
Have a go at some creative crafts.

For example: glass painting, macramé, art-straws, leatherwork, photography, sweetmaking, decorative knotting, or candlemaking.
Area Three - Promotions
Promote local Sea Scouting.

For example: a newsletter, poster, video, website, audio broadcast, or display.
Area Four - Problem Solving
Take an active part in activities requiring a number of problem-solving skills, effective teamwork and creative thinking.

For example: incident hikes or timed challenges, mental, physical or skill.
Area Five - Construction
Make something using a construction kit.

For example: model aircraft, 3-dimensional jigsaw, model pioneering project etc.
Area Six - Worship
Take a leading role in preparing and participating in an act of worship or Sea Scouts' Own.

For example: selecting readings, writing prayers and exploring beliefs. This may involve all the Sea Scouts from the Troop at a residential experience or event. Back to top

The Fitness Challange

To complete the Fitness Challenge the Sea Scout needs to choose a physical challenge, which they have either not attempted before, or which builds on an earlier achievement. The challenge should be agreed with a Leader.

The challenge can be anything from an athletic event, a charity swim, a long distance cycle ride, a pool life-saving test or a long distance challenge hike. The Sea Scout should be encouraged to consider a variety of activities/interests in their choice for this challenge.

To complete the Challenge, the Sea Scout will need to:

spend between four and six weeks preparing for the event, through an agreed exercise programme.

show during this period an understanding of the importance of a sensible and appropriate diet, and the need for sufficient sleep

keep a record of their progress during this time

be able to explain the dangers and harmful effects of smoking, alcohol and drugs. Back to top

The Global Challange

To achieve this Award, the Sea Scout needs to complete activities in these two areas:

Make international contact

International issues:

Examples are provided below, but other activities can also be included.
Area 1 - Make International Contact
Make contact with Scouts from a country outside the United Kingdom.

This can be done a number of ways, for example through a residential experience, the Internet, pen pals, Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) or Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI). The Sea Scout must then take part in an activity with their Patrol or Troop. This activity must be based on what the Sea Scout has found out from their international contact. The activity might take place at a residential experience or during a Troop meeting. It might directly involve Sea Scouts from another country, or might be after their contact.
Area 2 - International Issues
For this area the Sea Scout must choose two issues.

Issues might include:

Trade

Health

Water and sanitation

Environment

Refugees

Intolerance

Homelessness

Poverty

Animal welfare

Conservation

The Sea Scout must:

complete a series of activities to help them understand the issues involved

take some action as a result

compare how the issues affect the UK and countries overseas Back to top

The Community Challange

To achieve this Award, the Sea Scout needs to complete activities in two areas. Examples are provided below, but other activities can also be included.
Area 1 - Exploring the Local Community
Explore one aspect of how the local community works and is organised to the benefit of its members. The project should include some initial fact-finding, a visit to or from a community facility or group, and some form of report back.

For example: visits to see the workings of a theatre, tourist attraction, railway station, airport, local industry; meeting people involved in local government, charities, faith groups; learning about and taking part in community traditions or customs, local clubs and interest groups.
Area 2 - Community Service
Take an active part in some form of local community service totalling at least six hours. The time may be spent doing a number of different projects or by showing commitment to a single project over a longer period of time.

For example: running a fund-raising stall or game, delivering leaflets, clearing an area, gardening, collecting materials for recycling, helping with activities for younger children, moving furniture, clearing debris, painting fences, or environmental projects. Back to top

The Adventure Challange

To earn this Challenge the Sea Scout should take part in three different activities, each on a separate occasion. Examples of suitable activities are detailed below. You should treat these as guidelines, rather than a complete list. The three activities may be from any one section, or any combination of sections. There is no requirement for the Sea Scout to complete an activity from each section.

For each activity the Sea Scout must:

have knowledge of the safety issues involved and the use of any equipment needed for the activity

show an awareness of the environmental issues around the activity (such as erosion at popular climbing areas)

know about further opportunities to take part in the activities chosen.
Area One - General Activities
Climbing

Hill walking

Hiking

Spending a day exploring a town they don't know, at home or abroad

Orienteering

Planning and going on a journey by public transport of at least 40 kilometres

Caving or potholing

Pony trekking or horse riding

Cycling
Area Two - Water Activities
Sailing

Canoeing

Water-skiing

Surfing

Dragon boating

Bellboating

Sub-aqua

Canal boating

Rafting

Pulling
Area Three - Air Activities
Sailing

Gliding

Paragliding

Powered aircraft

Hot-air ballooning

Hovercrafting

Kiting Back to top

The Expedition Challange

To complete the Expedition Challenge the Sea Scout has to:

Take part in an expedition over two days (including one night) with at least three friends, after relevant training and preparation has been completed. During the expedition, the Sea Scout should do the following:

stay overnight at a hostel or other suitable venue, or camp overnight at a suitable site

cook the evening meal and breakfast

journey for at least four hours each day

use a map and compass to keep track of where they are

achieve at least one goal, agreed with the Leader before the expedition.

The expedition may be on foot, canoe, cycle or sailing boat. Other options may be appropriate, and you should discuss them with the Sea Scouts involved and the team supporting the expedition. Back to top