International Activity Badge

These badge requirements were updated on 26 January 2018. The previous badge requirements can still be used until 31 January 2019, to allow for transition where necessary.

How to earn your badge

Complete four of these activities:

• Showcase a form of art or culture from another country. You could create a display of art you have researched or created yourself, or put on a cultural performance.
• Participate in an event with an international theme. Discuss your experience with your Unit.
• Choose a country and explore their traditions and culture around food and dining. Recreate a dining experience relating to your chosen country for your leaders, parents or another section.
• Take part in an international Scouting experience such as an international jamboree, setting up an international link, or a Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)-Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) event.
• Organise an activity for your Unit or a younger section that explores another country's national celebration, festival or event (eg. Mela, Republic Day India, Chinese New Year)
• Explore aspects of another country's culture such as their greetings, religion and approach to gender. You could play a cultural simulation game or discuss the similarities and differences with culture in the UK.

Top tips

• Events with international themes take place all over the UK - the International Eisteddfod, Notting Hill Carnival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Harrogate International Festival and Pride are just a few.
• The International Links Guidance can help you to link up with Scouts in another country. Visit scouts.org.uk/intlinks to find out more.
• JOTA-JOTI is a Jamboree that takes place every year in October where you can link with Scouts all over the world on airwaves and on the internet.

Guidance for leaders

Bookbridge is a charity set up by European Scouts to support young people in many different countries access education through learning centres. They have developed resources that may help you to complete this badge.

Previous badge requirements

These requirements will be discontinued on 31 January 2019.

How to earn your badge

You need to complete four of these activities:

• Showcase a form of art or culture from another country. You could create a display of art you have researched or created yourself, or put on a cultural performance.
• Participate in an event with an international theme. Explain what the event taught you about the cultural customs to your Unit.
• Cook a traditional meal using international fairtrade ingredients. Discuss the benefits of fairtrade food.
• Take part in an international experience such as a Scout Jamboree, Home Hospitality or cultural exchange experience. Maintaining an
  international link, such as a pen pal, over a period of time counts too.
• Help to organise and take part in a Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) or Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) event.
• Organise an activity with an international theme, like a festival celebrated in another country.
• Explore the origins of another country’s national celebration, such as Independence Day in the USA, Republic Day in India or Chinese New Year.

Guidance for leaders

Bookbridge are a charity set up by European Scouts to support young people in many different countries access education through learning centres, they have developed resources which may help you to complete this badge.

Flexibility of the programme

Each young person who participates in the Programme, including badges and awards, should face a similar degree of challenge, and requirements can be adapted according to each young person’s abilities.  For more information and practical tips see our guidance on flexibility.