thistle awards


As a result of the updates made to the Programme over the last 12 months the SHQ Commissioners for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, along with their support teams, have been reviewing the Scottish Challenge Badges. At the end of the review we are excited to announce the launch of the new Sectional Thistle Awards!

You can find the record cards and certificates for each badge at the side of this page. Badges are available from Scouts Scotland – contact [email protected] or call 01383 419 073 to order

Beaver Thistle Award

Complete 8 tasks with at least 2 from each section

Outdoor & Adventure

  1. Take part in one Night Away in Scotland.
  2. Take part in an event/activity at one of the Scottish National Activity Centres.
  3. Join in an activity with another Colony or your Cub Pack.
  4. Adapt two of your Colony's favourite games to learn about Scotland i.e Port/Starboard becomes Glasgow/Edinburgh with Scottish Jobs.
  5. Visit a local landmark and learn some interesting facts about it.
  6. Learn some traditional Scottish playground games e.g. Hopscotch.

World

  1. Learn about local landmarks and find them on a map.
  2. Learn about some local customs or food.
  3. Use Scots or Gaelic to play a game or create a picture.
  4. Invite someone from your community to talk to you. This could be a member of the emergency services or local charity.
  5. Go on a nature walk and then participate in a Log Chew to talk about what you saw.
  6. Learn where Scotland is in the world and about the size of Scotland compared to other countries.

Skills

  1. Learn a Scottish song or dance.
  2. Draw a poster of all things Scottish. This could be done individually or as a group. Talk about why you think they represent Scotland.
  3. Design a Tartan or Coat of Arms for your family.
  4. Find out about Scottish inventors and their inventions. Consider what life would be like without their invention.
  5. Make up a story using Scots words.
  6. Make a model of Nessie or a famous Scottish landmark or building.

Top Tips

  • If you haven’t finished your badges and challenges, you can carry on and complete them in your first term as a Cub Scout.
  • Please note that any of these badge requirements can be done in conjunction with the UK badge programme.

For support and guidance on the requirements please contact [email protected].

Cub Thistle Award

Complete 9 tasks with at least 3 from each section

Outdoor & Adventure

  1. Take part in two Nights Away experiences in two different campsites in Scotland.
  2. Take part in an event/activity as a Cub at one of the Scottish National Activity Centres.
  3. Try a new sport traditionally played in Scotland such as ‘First shinty’, curling, or golf.
  4. Go on a nature ramble and make a poster of all the different local flora & fauna that you spot.
  5. Take part in your own mini Highland games.
  6. Visit a National Trust for Scotland/Historic Scotland/Scottish Natural Heritage site or similar.

World

  1. Visit a significant religious site in Scotland as a Cub (e.g. Iona, Chapel, Mosque, Synagogue, Church etc.).
  2. Take part in an International Scouting event (e.g. JOTA, JOTI, JOTT)
  3. Create a link with a Cub Pack from a different country.
  4. Visit an International camp e.g. Blair Atholl or invite a participant from an International camp to come to talk to you about their experience.
  5. Find out about your local area and what it was like in the past. This can be looking at old maps, encyclopaedias, old photographs, books, etc. Present your findings to others
  6. Invite someone from a Scottish charity to speak to your Pack about their work (e.g. SSPCA, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Capability Scotland, Scottish Autism, CHAS, Poppy Scotland, etc.).

Skills

  1. Cook and serve a simple traditional Scottish meal (e.g. mince, neeps and tatties, Scotch Broth, oatcakes & Crowdie etc.)
  2. Learn and recite a Scottish poem or verse.
  3. Bake a traditional Scottish teatime treat (e.g. shortbread, scones, etc.)
  4. Perform a Scottish Song. This could be by singing or playing an instrument.
  5. Learn some simple phrases in Gaelic.
  6. Keep a diary for a week of what food and drinks you have. Highlight which foods are Scottish and those which you think are healthy. Discuss with the rest of your pack.

Top Tips

  • If you haven’t finished your badges and challenges, you can carry on and complete them in your first term as a Scout.
  • Please note that any of these badge requirements can be done in conjunction with the UK badge programme.

For support and guidance on the requirements please contact [email protected]

Scout Thistle Award

Complete 12 tasks.

Skills 1. Under camp conditions plan, prepare and cook a full traditional Burns supper 2. Find out about the history of Scottish clans and tartans; try creating your own tartan. 3. Investigate Robert Burns and his life, recite one of his works. 4. Investigate Charles Rennie Macintosh and his work; create a similar piece of his art.

Outdoor & Adventure

  1. Take part in three Nights Away experiences in three different Scout Districts throughout Scotland.
  2. Take part in an event/activity as a Scout at one of the Scottish National Activity Centres.
  3. Try a new sport traditionally played in Scotland such as ‘First shinty’, curling, or golf.
  4. Help plan and participate in a Scottish themed camp, activity or Troop night. This can be in conjunction with another Section/Group.

World

  1. Visit a significant religious site in Scotland as a Scout (e.g. Iona, Chapel, Mosque, Synagogue, Church etc.).
  2. Make international contact with other Scouts from around the world.
  3. Visit a traditional Highland Games, Scottish Show or festival.
  4. Visit a National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, or site of National interest.

Skills

  1. Under camp conditions plan, prepare and cook a full traditional Burns Supper.
  2. Find out about the history of Scottish clans and tartans; try creating your own tartan.
  3. Investigate Charles Rennie Macintosh and his work; create a similar piece of his art.
  4. Investigate Robert Burns and his life, recite one of his works.

Top Tips

  • If you haven’t finished your badges and challenges, you can carry on and complete them in your first term as an Explorer Scout.
  • Please note that any of these badge requirements can be done in conjunction with the UK badge programme.

For support and guidance on the requirements please contact [email protected]