How to get the Eco award over the summer holidays

Everything you need to know to earn the Eco award

20 July 2026

Although the summer holidays might mean a short break from regular guiding meetings, the adventure (or getting badges) doesn't have to stop!

In fact, summer is the perfect time to take the lead on finding ways to live sustainably and work towards the Eco award:

We know how passionate Girlguiding members are about protecting our planet. Because this award involves making real-life changes at home and in local areas, summer is a great time to get outside and complete the actions to earn the award. Plus, it’s a brilliant way to keep busy on sunny days or rainy afternoons!

Here’s everything you need to know to complete the award at home over summer.

What's the Eco award?

The Eco award is a fantastic opportunity for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers to explore environmental issues, understand their own impact on the planet, and take practical action to make their corner of the world a little bit greener.

It can be completed individually at home, as part of a unit, in a small group with friends, or as part of a wider community project.

Take a look at our video to learn more about the award:

What do you have to do?

Completing the award is simple, and can be done in 5 easy steps:

Step 1. Check your carbon footprint

Before making a change, it helps to see where you're starting from! Download the Eco award resource to use our interactive carbon footprint checker:

The carbon footprint checker is an easy quiz that looks at everyday habits (like travel, food and energy use) to learn more about the impact different things have on the planet. It’s a great activity to do together as a family to spot where you might be able to make some easy green swaps.

Step 2. Choose an environment to focus on

Pick somewhere to make a difference. It could be:

At home: swapping habits under your own roof.
In a Girlguiding group: plan some ideas for changes for your unit or meeting spaces.
In the local community: focusing on a local park, street, allotment, beach or green space.

Step 3. Pick 3 actions to help your environment

This is the core part of the award where you can make a difference. Choose 3 specific actions to carry out over the summer holidays to help the environment. Remember, at least 1 of your actions needs to be carried out for:

1 month if you’re in Rainbows.
2 months if you’re in Brownies or Guides.
3 months if you’re in Rangers.

We’ve got lots of brilliant ideas, so you can choose challenges that match your interests. Some examples are:

Making a wildlife home or feeder.
Switching to a reusable water bottle.
Unplugging things that you aren’t using and switching off lights.
Having shorter showers.
Reducing your food waste and using leftovers.
Shopping second-hand.
Planting wildflowers or trees outside.
Joining a local beach clean or litter pick.
Writing to a business to ask them to make a sustainable swap, such as swapping plastic cups for paper ones.
Swapping clingfilm for foil or beeswax wraps.
Walking, cycling or catching a bus instead of using the car.

Remember to keep a note or diary of descriptions or photos of what you’re doing to show your Girlguiding leaders and volunteers.

Step 4. Inspire others

Once you've completed the 3 actions, the next step is to spread the word. You could make a scrapbook, create a poster to encourage others at school, create a presentation to share with friends or family, or write to your local MP. By sharing what you've achieved, you'll inspire others to make green choices too.

Step 5. Celebrate!

Once you've shared your logbook with your leaders, you've done it! You have officially earned your Eco award and can proudly pin your brand-new badge onto your uniform or camp blanket.

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