Leaders
Juniors Award Scheme
Introduction to the Juniors Award SchemeThe Juniors Award Scheme is a part of the programme for Juniors. The aim of the Scheme is to provide the boys with some recognition for their participation in the section programme. The Juniors Award Scheme uses material under the five following headings:
Body - fit for fun
* a variety of games and physical activities
Mind – think and do
* puzzles and quizzes, thinking games and treasure hunts, hobbies and collections
Spirit - God and me
* devotions, prayers and worship, bible stories and characters, and Christian festivals
Community - me and my world
* conservation, the local community, the church and helping others
Creativity - make and do
* crafts, simple cooking, and mime and drama
Two additional headings provide additional ideas and topics
Programme on a Plate
* Ideas for theme nights including Creepy Crawlies, The Lord’s Prayer, and The Senses
Extras
* Information about additional web based resources on a wide range of topics
What is the Juniors Scheme?
The Juniors Award Scheme runs alongside the section programme, the focus of which is to have a time of fun and enjoyment for the boys and the leaders. The Award Scheme is there to support the programme, not the other way round; the Award Scheme is optional. Some Juniors weekly programmes will have an allocated award time. However, it is possible to include the Award Scheme into your programme and cover the various activities through a range of indoor and outdoor activities that are included in this programme pack. Boys will gain their awards as they take part in the usual section programme for this age group i.e. games, crafts, music, storytelling, bible stories etc.
Whilst some sections would divide boys into their various age groups for some activities, it is quite possible to run the Award Scheme in one group because of reasons of restricted premises or the number of leaders available to help. The Scheme is very flexible.
The table below gives some information about the Scheme and the number of topics from each of the five activity groups required for each badge, each topic taking 10 to 15 minutes. The Scheme offers some flexibility where boys may choose which extra topics they wish to do, perhaps those they enjoy most, or which give them new challenges. Companies may also decide to concentrate on particular topics that reflect the skills of the leaders, equipment, or premises. Remember, that the Award Scheme covers the four years that a boy is in the Juniors.
| Target Award Age 8/9 | Bronze Award Age 9/10 | Silver Award Age 10/11 | Gold Award Age 11/12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body – fit for fun | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mind – think and do | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Spirit – God and me | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Community – me and my world | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mind – think and do | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Creativity – make and do | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Extra activities (chosen from above) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Activities per Badge | 10 ea | 10 ea | 10 ea | 10 ea |
| Total Activities | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Awards | Certificate & Target Award | Certificate & Bronze Award | Certificate & Silver Award | Certificate & Gold Award |
There are eight badges in the Juniors Award Scheme. The requirements are as follows:
| Certificate: Age 8/9 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
| Target Badge: Age 8/9 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
| Certificate: Age 9/10 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
| Bronze Badge: Age 9/10 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
| Certificate: Age 10/11 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
| Silver Badge: Age 10/11 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
| Certificate: Age 11/12 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
| Gold Badge: Age 11/12 | 10 activities, one from each of the five headings and five extra topics chosen by the boy or staff |
Certificates, stickers and wall chart
In addition to badges, boys could be awarded a certificate after reaching the midway point for each award i.e. at the halfway stage of 10 points. Certificates could also be awarded for other things including taking part in an event, good attendance, being a good friend, helping out etc.
Stickers could be awarded for the completion of each award activity; which could be stuck onto the boys’ wall chart in the BB/church hall or taken home. Certificates, stickers and the wall chart are available from BB Supplies.
A promotion certificate is also available for boys who move up to the Company Section. The use of the stickers, wall chart and certificates is optional.
How does the Juniors Award Scheme fit into our weekly programme?
The weekly programme may have a formal ‘award’ time lasting 15 to 20 minutes although boys gain their awards as they take part in the usual section programme for this age group. Many of the award topics can be incorporated into games and activities so do not limit the work for the awards just to the more formal times in the programme. The Award Scheme is there to help provide a sense of achievement for the boys and a pride in gaining their awards; the Award Scheme supports the programme. Remember, the work of the section should be programme led, not awards driven. Section theme nights can also be used for the activity badges awards, with a range of different topics taking place within the theme. Other parts of the activity scheme can be covered during outdoor activities the better weather and lighter nights, through trips and visits, Junior Section weekend camps and holidays and taking part in battalion or other BB events etc.
In planning the various topics within the Award Scheme, care should be taken to ensure that the style of presentation is fun; use as much activity as you can with the use of visual aids to help reinforce any learning.
How is the Award Scheme assessed?
There are no set levels of attainment for the activities within the Juniors Award scheme, these are gained by a boy participating in particular topics; no external controls are to be applied. The level of achievement will vary for each individual boy according to his ability and age. During a boy’s time in the Juniors his level of skills and physical competence is likely to vary greatly. The onus is on the leaders to ensure that boys are trying their best in all of the Award Scheme activities.
What about late joiners?
Boys would complete the Yellow Award with topics appropriate to his age and ability and then move on to the Pink Award. So a boy joining at age 10 could complete the Yellow, Pink, White & Green awards.
How are the Awards worn?
The Juniors Award badges are Target, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The badges are metal with a pin-on fastening. The awards are placed on the armband as set out in the Information Zone. When boys move to the Seniors, they will wear the highest Juniors Award gained during their time in the Juniors. They will also continue to wear the highest Anchors Activity Award badge gained during their time in the Anchors.
When are the Award badges presented?
Some companies present badges as soon as they are gained; others choose to present them at a parents’ night or at a church parade service. Leaders should remember that the award scheme is planned to cover the three years that a boy is in Juniors and the activities should be spread out over this time.
What about record keeping?
There is some information in the Information Zone about record keeping, not only about the awards but also attendance at the BB night and special events, and home contact details for each boy. Record cards are available from BB Supplies.
How do we transfer from ‘old Achievement Scheme & Sew on Awards ’ to the new Juniors Award Metal Badge Scheme?
* Boys currently working on existing badges could continue until they move up to Seniors, but leaders could still use the new program resources. New boys would then work on the new scheme.
* The Company could decide, in consultation with their boys, to swap their existing badges for the new ones.
The list below shows the conversion
| Previous | New |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Certificate |
| Pink | Target |
| White | Certificate |
| Green | Bronze |
| Purple | Certificate |
| Blue | Silver |
| Red | Certificate |
| Gold | Gold |
Ideas for the Juniors Award scheme
A list of suggested topics is given below, but leaders are free to choose other appropriate topics. Some of the topics have a suggested progression and older or more able boys could be expected to participate to a higher level. Remember, the main focus is on fun and not working for the badges!
In planning the programme, staff will need to agree when the award scheme topics are to be covered. The activities for the badges should be spaced out through the year; first badge by the middle of the year and the second Badge by the end of the year would be a good target to work towards. Whilst the majority can be done indoors during the normal BB nights, some of the suggested activities will need to be done outside in the better weather, and others during trips and visits.
This ‘sample’ table on the next page shows a list of suggested activities of how a boy could gain all of his ‘Awards’ during his time in the Juniors. The level at which the boys participate in the ‘Activities’ will vary for each individual boy according to his ability and age. During a boy’s time in Juniors his level of skills and physical competence is likely to vary greatly. The onus is on the leaders to ensure that boys are trying their best in all of the Award Scheme activities. You will know your boys much better and you have absolute flexibility to choose which activities the boys undertake to gain their badges.
It is most important to emphasise that ‘Award Scheme Activities’ are part of the ‘whole programme’ of the Juniors.
| Certificate & Target Award Age 8/9 | Certificate & Bronze Award Age 9/10 | Certificate & Silver Award Age 10/11 | Certificate & Gold Award Age 11/12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit for fun | Simple drill movements | Take part in figure marching | Take part in figure marching | Take part in figure marching |
| Take part in games | Take part in games | Take part in games | Take part in games | |
| Take part in outdoor games | Take part in outdoor games | Take part in some challenges | Take part in some challenges | |
| Healthy eating | Healthy eating | Healthy eating | Healthy eating | |
| God and me | Jesus as a boy | Jesus as a friend | Jesus as a teacher | Jesus as our saviour |
| Miracles and parables | Miracles and parables | Bible heroes | Bible heroes | |
| Christian festivals | Christian festivals | Christian festivals | Christian festivals | |
| Talking with God | Talking with God | Talking with God | Talking with God | |
| Think and do | The BB Badge | My BB Company | National flags | Computer games |
| Complete some puzzles | Complete some puzzles | Complete some puzzles | Complete some puzzles | |
| Take part in some thinking games | Take part in some thinking games | Take part in some thinking games | Take part in some thinking games | |
| Me and my world | International project | International project | International project | International project |
| Take part in a scavenger hunt | Take part in a scavenger hunt | Take part in nature conservation | Take part in 2 treasure hunts | |
| Help at home for 2 hours | Help at home for 2 hours | Help at home for 3 hours | Help at home for 4 hours | |
| Road safety | Road safety | Road safety | Road safety | |
| Home safety | Home safety | Home safety | Home safety | |
| Make and do | Take part in some drama | Take part in some drama | Take part in some drama | Take part in some drama |
| Make some craft items | Make some craft items | Make some craft items | Make some craft items | |
| Take part in some cooking | Take part in some cooking | Take part in some cooking | Take part in some cooking | |
| Make some salt dough models | Make some salt dough models | Make some plaster models | Make some plaster models | |
| Total number of Activities for each Certificate | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Total numbers of Activities for Badge | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Pages: 1
Jeff Hockey (3 Nov 2011)