Interest badges
Volunteering
Take action
One person can do so much.
You can make an impact in so many different ways.
Getting a Rangers interest badge
There are 36 interest badges for you to earn at Rangers, and 3 fun challenges to do for each badge.
You can do these badges at any time, anywhere and in any way you’d like. You can do them on your own or with units, during unit meetings, at home or even on holiday.
How to complete this badge
1. Supporting people
For all the challenges, get creative and think outside the box about the roles or actions you do... make it a challenge or try something new. Look at the lists below for some inspiration. But remember you can do anything you want – don’t feel limited!
Choose 1 action from any level to take on.
Local:
- Be a young leader at a local unit.
- Volunteer to support others at your school or college.
- Help at a community cafe.
- Assist at a local homework club.
National:
- Help take a unit to a national guiding event.
- Help at a charity event.
- Participate in a national charity campaign.
- Volunteer as a buddy for a national event or activity.
International:
- Run a WAGGGS activity or event for your unit.
- Collect donations for an aid appeal.
- Participate in a virtual language exchange to help others learn English.
2. Supporting places
Choose 1 action from any level to take on.
Local:
- Do a litter pick.
- Volunteer at a local museum.
- Help at a local allotment or community garden.
- Help at a local library.
National:
- Take part in a conservation project.
- Help look after a historic building.
- Participate in a national environment project, such as beach cleaning.
International:
- Write a blog for an international environmental charity.
- Fundraise for a charity that protects the rainforest.
- Participate in international clean-up initiatives.
3. Supporting animals
Choose 1 action from any level to take on.
Local:
- Volunteer at a local rescue centre.
- Muck out for a donkey sanctuary or horse charity.
- Help with fundraising for a local animal charity.
- Become a dog walker for a local rescue centre.
National:
- Fundraise for an animal charity.
- Support the National Bat Monitoring survey.
- Raise awareness for a national animal charity.
International:
- Run a campaign raising awareness about an endangered species.
- Support the admin work of an international animal charity.
- Participate in an international animal awareness day or campaign.
Including others
- Make sure your parent/carer knows you’re talking to other people and who they are.
- Never talk to strangers on your own.
- If you feel worried or confused by any of the answers given, talk to an adult you trust straight away.
Internet safety
To keep safe online, I will…
- Not share any personal information on the internet (my full name, my home or school address, my phone number or my email address).
- Only download files on to my devices with permission from my parent/carer.
- Always ask permission before uploading photos or videos online. If I send pictures, I am aware that these can be forwarded onto others.
- Tell my parent/carer, teacher or leader if something online worries or upsets me.
- Only add people online that I know in the real world.
- Be wary of emails that contain unknown links. I know clicking links can download viruses or other harmful files onto my devices.
- Treat people online with the same respect as I would in the real world. I will never write anything that might hurt or upset someone.
- Not meet up with someone that I have met online and if someone asks me to do so, I will tell a parent/carer.
- Think carefully about what I read, hear and see online, and not trust information unless I have checked it on other websites or in books, or have asked an adult about it.
Out and about safety
- Plan your route before you go.
- Make sure someone knows where you're going and when you’ll be back.
- Pay attention to what’s happening around you. Only do your activity when you are somewhere safe.
- Always keep to the Green Cross Code and remember to wear reflective or bright clothes/accessories. When you’re out at night, wear reflective clothing or accessories like reflective armbands.
- Have a way of contacting someone if you get stuck (for example, having a charged phone).
Personal details
- You should never share your personal information with strangers.
- Don’t include identifiable information (like your full name or where you live) on the things you make.
- Check what you have made with your parent/carer before sharing it with other people.
Volunteering
- Work with an adult to arrange your volunteering and keep them updated every step of the way.
- Only volunteer with organisations you know to be legitimate and trustworthy.
- Only undertake volunteering tasks that you feel safe and comfortable doing.
- If you feel worried about anything you’re asked to do as a volunteer, speak to an adult you trust straight away.
