Children as young as four in Scouting in Scotland can complete human rights badge

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland and Scouts Scotland have launched new resources so that children as young as four can now complete their Rights Challenge Badge.  

Around 10,000 Squirrels, aged four to five, and Beavers, aged six to eight, will enjoy a range of activities to learn about and understand their rights. 

Following the success of the badge that was rolled out to Cubs and Scouts last year, these resources have been adapted for the youngest members of Scouting in Scotland and supports them to have a voice within their group and local community. It promotes adult leaders’ awareness of children’s rights too.  

The badge design – the international human rights dove logo soaring over Earth beside the Scouts’ Fleur de Lis symbol – was created by Christopher, a Scout from Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire. The 11-year-old said: “I am excited to hear that the Rights Challenge Badge is going to be available to Squirrels and Beavers. It is really important that children learn about their rights as early as possible. When I completed the badge, my group made a “clootie tree”. We wrote down what we thought rights were about and we made them into leaves to create a tree. We also played a fun game trying to work out if the rights being called out were real or made up. I learnt a lot by completing the badge in my group. It was fun and really educational. I hope everyone who completes the activities enjoys them as much as I did." 

Activities for Squirrels and Beavers include den-building to highlight the right to a safe, warm home; making green slime to think about what’s “snot fair” in their community and who needs to support change; and creating a human rights shield to highlight what is important to them and what rights they would defend.   

Launching the badge with Scouts Scotland’s Community Impact Commissioner, Callum Holt, and Scouts Scotland’s Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP)  Ewan Knight, Children’s Commissioner Bruce Adamson said: “We are really excited to launch the Rights Challenge Badge to Squirrels and Beavers. Children are never too young to learn about and claim their human rights and the activities within the badge will empower them with new skills and knowledge and help them to become true human rights defenders. 

“Cubs and Scouts have told us they are really enjoying doing the badge, and some Squirrels have tested the activities and they also had loads of fun. I can’t wait to see the youngest members of Scouts Scotland gaining their Rights Challenge Badges.”   

Ewan Knight MSYP said: “It’s been great to see so many young people learning about their rights and understanding how important they are. The UNCRC is at the forefront of everything we do, so it’s amazing that we will get the chance to expand our youngest members’ knowledge of their rights through the Rights Challenge Badge.”  

You can find out more about the badge and access the resources here.