Proficiency Badges
From the birth of Scouting, a range of proficiency badges existed, intended to encourage boys in their hobbies, and in due course, with the potential to turn hobbies into professions. When Guides started, they too had a range of proficiency badges with similar aims in mind, but with an especial focus on the skills they felt girls should be developing.
Brownie Proficiency Badges
But it wasn’t just Guides – Brownies too had their proficiency badges – although for many years, Brownies couldn’t earn any of them until they had earned their Golden Hand badge, and most Brownies only had a short time left in the pack by the time that happened, so little time to gain Proficiency Badges in, however keen. It was only from 1968 onwards that Interest Badges, as they were renamed, were open to all Brownies.
Ranger Proficiency Badges
From their founding and up to World War Two, Rangers also had Proficiency Badges to work for – and a regularly-growing range of them. It was the coming of war, and the need to focus training on the Home Emergency Service programme, and any free time they had on war work, which meant that Proficiency Badges were dropped from the Ranger programme – they returned briefly in the 1990s in the form of Staged Badges only to be dropped again, then returned again in 2019 with the new programme introduced then.
Extension Proficiency Badges
Extension Guides – the section for Guides with disabilities – did not miss out on Proficiency Badges. They had their own selection of badges, as well as being able to work on any regular badges they wished. Indeed, it is regularly reported that where handcraft was concerned, the testers of Extension Proficiency Badges expected a higher standard than they did from Guides tackling the regular Guide Craft Badge – and got it! In later years, the extension section closed as more and more Guides were living in the community, attending mainstream schools and mainstream Guiding units.
Awards and Qualifications
As well as Proficiency Badges, naturally Guiding had a number of other badges and awards – the Promise Badges and progress badges, specialist badges and higher awards. There were awards and special badges for all sections, Brownie, Guide, Ranger and Extension – and also for adults. The specialist Ranger sections – Cadet, Land Ranger, Sea Ranger and Air Ranger – also had their own awards/qualifications. I will attempt to untangle these, although doing so is a work-in-progress.
- Award – Air Ranger RAF Recognition
- Award – Air Ranger Wings
- Award – Baden-Powell Award
- Award – Brownie Adventure
- Award – Brownie Adventure On
- Award – Brownie Footpath
- Award – Brownie Go Challenge
- Award – Brownie Golden Bar
- Award – Brownie Golden Hand
- Award – Brownie Golden Ladder
- Award – Brownie Highway
- Award – Brownie More Adventures
- Award – Brownie Pack Proficiency Certificate – Gardener
- Award – Brownie Pack Proficiency Certificate – Handwork
- Award – Brownie Pack Proficiency Certificate – Player
- Award – Brownie Road
- Award – Brownie Tenderfoot
- Award – Brownie Wings
- Award – Cadet Investiture
- Award – Cadet Ranger Test
- Award – Cadet Star
- Award – Extension Cord Award
- Award – Extension First Class
- Award – Extension Pre-Enrolment Test
- Award – Extension Ranger Service Tests
- Award – Extension Trade Badge
- Award – Gold Cord Award
- Award – Green First Class
- Award – Guide 1st Challenge Badge
- Award – Guide 2nd Challenge Badge
- Award – Guide 3rd Challenge Badge
- Award – Guide 4th Challenge Badge
- Award – Guide Action Plus
- Award – Guide All-Round Cords
- Award – Guide Blue Trefoil
- Award – Guide Camp Preparation Pennant
- Award – Guide Communication Pennant
- Award – Guide Conservation Pennant
- Award – Guide Emergency Team Pennant
- Award – Guide Entertainer/Camp Fire Pennant
- Award – Guide Explorer Pennant
- Award – Guide First Class
- Award – Guide Fitness Emblem
- Award – Guide Green Trefoil
- Award – Guide International Pennant
- Award – Guide Little House Emblem
- Award – Guide Orienteering Pennant
- Award – Guide Outdoor Cooking Pennant
- Award – Guide Patrol Leader’s Camp Permit
- Award – Guide Patrol Purpose Patch
- Award – Guide Pioneer Pennant
- Award – Guide Red Trefoil
- Award – Guide Science & Technology Emblem
- Award – Guide Second Class
- Award – Guide Service Emblem
- Award – Guide Tenderfoot
- Award – Guide Woodcraft Emblem
- Award – Guide World Friendship Emblem
- Award – Guide Yellow Trefoil
- Award – Land Ranger Adventurer Test
- Award – Land Rangers CHQ Award
- Award – Leading Air Ranger Test
- Award – Nurse Cavell Badge
- Award – Ordinary Sea Ranger Test
- Award – Queen’s Guide
- Award – Ranger Air Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger and Sea Guide Trade Badges
- Award – Ranger and Young Leader Camp Permit
- Award – Ranger Child Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger Coast and River Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger Community Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger Cultural Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger Home Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger Nursing Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger Nursing Sister
- Award – Ranger Outdoor Service Certificate
- Award – Ranger Quest Badge
- Award – Ranger Second Class
- Award – Ranger Service Star Part I
- Award – Ranger Service Star Part II
- Award – Ranger Service Star Part III
- Award – Ranger Service Star Part IV
- Award – Ranger Star
- Award – Ranger Tenderfoot
- Award – Ranger World Service Certificate
- Award – Sea Guide Mariner Test
- Award – Sea Ranger A.B. Test
- Award – Sea Ranger Admiralty Recognition
- Award – Sea Ranger Leading Sea Ranger Test
- Award – Sea Ranger Sea Service Badge
- Award – Sea Ranger Sea Service Star
- Award – Sea Ranger Test
- Award – Senior Section Chief Guide Challenge
- Award- Commonwealth Award
- Brownie – Sportswoman/Sports
- Brownie – Agility
- Brownie – Animal Lover/Friend to Animals
- Brownie – Artist
- Brownie – Athlete
- Brownie – Booklover
- Brownie – Brownie Camper
- Brownie – Brownie Camper Advanced
- Brownie – Brownie Friendship
- Brownie – Brownie Skills
- Brownie – Brownie Traditions
- Brownie – Circus Performer
- Brownie – Collector
- Brownie – Communications/Communicator
- Brownie – Computer
- Brownie – Conservation
- Brownie – Cook
- Brownie – Cook Advanced
- Brownie – Craft/Weaver
- Brownie – Crime Prevention
- Brownie – Culture
- Brownie – Cyclist
- Brownie – Dancer
- Brownie – Designer
- Brownie – Disability Awareness
- Brownie – Environment
- Brownie – Fire Safety
- Brownie – First Aid Advanced
- Brownie – First Aider/First Aid
- Brownie – Gardener
- Brownie – Guide/Pathfinder/Finding Your Way
- Brownie – Healthy Heart
- Brownie – Hobbies
- Brownie – Hostess
- Brownie – House Orderly/Homeskills
- Brownie – Jester/Entertainer
- Brownie – Knitter
- Brownie – Music Lover
- Brownie – Musician
- Brownie – Needleworker
- Brownie – Number Fun
- Brownie – Observer/Discoverer
- Brownie – Pack Holiday Advanced/Brownie Holiday Advanced
- Brownie – Pack Holiday/Brownie Holiday
- Brownie – Photographer
- Brownie – Pony Rider/Rider
- Brownie – Quest/Discovering Faith
- Brownie – Radio Communication
- Brownie – Rambler/Out And About
- Brownie – Road Safety
- Brownie – Safety In The Home/Home Safety
- Brownie – Science Investigator
- Brownie – Seasons
- Brownie – Short Tennis
- Brownie – Short Tennis Advanced
- Brownie – Signaller
- Brownie – Singer
- Brownie – Skater
- Brownie – Speaker
- Brownie – Stargazer
- Brownie – Swimmer
- Brownie – Swimmer Advanced
- Brownie – Team Player
- Brownie – Thrift
- Brownie – Toymaker
- Brownie – Water Rescuer/Water Safety
- Brownie – Watersports
- Brownie – Wildlife Explorer
- Brownie – Woodworker
- Brownie – World Cultures
- Brownie – World Guiding
- Brownie – World Issues
- Brownie – World Traveller
- Brownie – Worldwide
- Brownie – Writer
- Extension – Ambulance
- Extension – Braille
- Extension – Brownie Swimmer
- Extension – Brushmaker
- Extension – Camper
- Extension – Collector
- Extension – Gardener
- Extension – Handicraft
- Extension – Homemaker
- Extension – Horsewoman
- Extension – Hostess
- Extension – Language for the Deaf
- Extension – Netter
- Extension – Observer
- Extension – Potter
- Extension – Sick Nurse
- Extension – Sportswoman
- Extension – Swimmer
- Extension – Thrift
- Extension – Weaver
- Guide – Accident Prevention
- Guide – Active Response
- Guide – Agility
- Guide – Angler
- Guide – Animal Active
- Guide – Aquarist
- Guide – Artist
- Guide – Arts and Crafts Emblem
- Guide – Astronomer/Star Gazer
- Guide – Athlete
- Guide – Backwoodsman
- Guide – Band
- Guide – Basket Worker/Maker
- Guide – Be Prepared
- Guide – Bee Farmer/Beekeeper
- Guide – Bellringer
- Guide – Bird Lover/Bird Watcher
- Guide – Boatswain
- Guide – Book Lover/Reader
- Guide – Braille
- Guide – Camper
- Guide – Camper Advanced
- Guide – Care of the Elderly
- Guide – Carpenter
- Guide – Caver
- Guide – Caver Advanced
- Guide – Challenge
- Guide – Child Nurse/Childcare
- Guide – Chocolate
- Guide – Choral Patrol
- Guide – Circus Skills
- Guide – Clerk
- Guide – Cobbler
- Guide – Collector
- Guide – Communicator
- Guide – Community Action
- Guide – Computer
- Guide – Confectioner
- Guide – Conservation
- Guide – Cook
- Guide – Craft
- Guide – Crime Prevention
- Guide – Culture
- Guide – Cyclist
- Guide – Dairymaid
- Guide – Dancer
- Guide – Decorative Needlecraft
- Guide – Domestic Service
- Guide – Electrician
- Guide – Embroideress/Stitchery
- Guide – Emergency Helper
- Guide – Empire Knowledge/Commonwealth Knowledge
- Guide – English Folk
- Guide – Entertainer
- Guide – Europe
- Guide – Faith Awareness/Discovering Faith
- Guide – Film Lover
- Guide – Finding Your Way/Find Your Way
- Guide – Fire Brigade/Fire Fighter/Fire Safety
- Guide – First Aid/Ambulance
- Guide – Fitness/Health
- Guide – Florist/Gardener
- Guide – Flower Arranger
- Guide – Flower Lover
- Guide – Flyer/Air Mechanic/Airwoman/Aircraft
- Guide – Folk Dancer/Country Dancer
- Guide – Folk Singer
- Guide – Folk Song and Dance
- Guide – Friend to Animals
- Guide – Friend to the Deaf
- Guide – Geologist
- Guide – Guide Friendship
- Guide – Gymnast
- Guide – Handbell Ringer
- Guide – Handywoman
- Guide – Healthy Lifestyles
- Guide – Heritage
- Guide – Hiker
- Guide – History Lover
- Guide – Hobbies
- Guide – Holiday
- Guide – Home Defence
- Guide – Horsewoman
- Guide – Hostess
- Guide – Housekeeper/Homemaker
- Guide – Independent Living
- Guide – International Knowledge/World Friendship/Guide Friendship/World Association
- Guide – Interpreter
- Guide – Keep Fit
- Guide – Knitter
- Guide – Knotter
- Guide – Lacemaker
- Guide – Landworker/Farmer
- Guide – Laundress
- Guide – Lifesaver
- Guide – Local History
- Guide – Manx Folk
- Guide – Map Reader
- Guide – Masseuse
- Guide – Milliner
- Guide – Minstrel/Musician
- Guide – Music Group
- Guide – Music Lover
- Guide – Music Zone
- Guide – Naturalist
- Guide – Needlewoman
- Guide – Observer
- Guide – Outdoor Chef
- Guide – Outdoor Cook
- Guide – Outdoor Pursuits
- Guide – Party Planner
- Guide – Pathfinder
- Guide – Performing Arts
- Guide – Personal Safety
- Guide – Photographer
- Guide – Pioneer
- Guide – Player
- Guide – Poultry Farmer
- Guide – Printer
- Guide – Quest
- Guide – Rabbit Keeper
- Guide – Radio Communication/Radio Communicator
- Guide – Rambler
- Guide – Rescuer
- Guide – Rifle Shot
- Guide – Road Safety
- Guide – Science Investigator/Science
- Guide – Scottish Folk
- Guide – Scribe/Secretary
- Guide – Seasons
- Guide – Service Flash
- Guide – Sick Nurse/Home Nurse
- Guide – Signaller
- Guide – Singer
- Guide – Skater
- Guide – Skier
- Guide – Speaker
- Guide – Spinner
- Guide – Sports
- Guide – Sportswoman
- Guide – Stalker
- Guide – Surveyor
- Guide – Survival
- Guide – Swimmer
- Guide – Team Leader
- Guide – Team Player
- Guide – Telegraphist
- Guide – Thrift
- Guide – Toymaker
- Guide – Traditions of Guiding
- Guide – Traveller
- Guide – Ulster Folk
- Guide – War Service
- Guide – Water Safety
- Guide – Weatherman/Weather
- Guide – Welsh Folk
- Guide – Woodman/Forester
- Guide – World Cultures
- Guide – World Friendship
- Guide – World Guiding
- Guide – World Issues
- Guide – World Traveller
- Guide – Worldwide
- Guide – Writer
- Proficiency and Interest Badges
- Ranger – Ability
- Ranger – Airwoman
- Ranger – Architect Town Planner
- Ranger – Art Lover
- Ranger – Arts & Crafts
- Ranger – Astronomer
- Ranger – Athlete
- Ranger – Authoress
- Ranger – Beauty Lover
- Ranger – Bellringer
- Ranger – Bookbinder
- Ranger – Booklover
- Ranger – Braille
- Ranger – Campcraft
- Ranger – Choral Patrol
- Ranger – Citizen
- Ranger – Clerk
- Ranger – Cook
- Ranger – Current Events
- Ranger – Decoder
- Ranger – Dressmaker
- Ranger – Electrical Engineer
- Ranger – Embroideress
- Ranger – Empire Knowledge
- Ranger – Explorer
- Ranger – Farmer
- Ranger – Finisher
- Ranger – First Aider
- Ranger – Folk Dancer
- Ranger – Gardener
- Ranger – Geologist
- Ranger – History Student
- Ranger – Home Emergency Service
- Ranger – House Surveyor
- Ranger – Housecraft
- Ranger – Housekeeper
- Ranger – Instructor
- Ranger – International Knowledge
- Ranger – Interpreter to Deaf
- Ranger – Interpreter/Linguist
- Ranger – Knitter
- Ranger – Leatherworker
- Ranger – Local Knowledge
- Ranger – Mariner
- Ranger – Milkmaid
- Ranger – Milliner
- Ranger – Minstrel
- Ranger – Motorist
- Ranger – Musician
- Ranger – Nature Lover
- Ranger – Nurse
- Ranger – Physical Training
- Ranger – Player
- Ranger – Printer
- Ranger – Probationer
- Ranger – Public Health
- Ranger – Rescuer/Lifesaver
- Ranger – Samaritan
- Ranger – Scribe
- Ranger – Sea Lore
- Ranger – Signaller
- Ranger – Skater
- Ranger – Surveyor
- Ranger – Telegraphist
- Ranger – Textile Worker
- Ranger – Thrift
- Ranger – Toymaker
- Ranger – Water Naturalist
- Ranger – World Citizen
- Staged – Bellringer
- Staged – Birdwatcher
- Staged – Canoeist
- Staged – Chess
- Staged – Circus Skills
- Staged – Computer
- Staged – Cook
- Staged – Culture
- Staged – Cyclist
- Staged – Deaf Awareness
- Staged – Dinghy Sailor
- Staged – Downhill Skier
- Staged – Faith Awareness
- Staged – Friend to Animals
- Staged – Interpreter
- Staged – Knitter
- Staged – Knotter
- Staged – Lifesaver
- Staged – Musician
- Staged – Needlecraft
- Staged – Oarswoman
- Staged – Photographer
- Staged – Rider
- Staged – Short Tennis
- Staged – Sight Awareness
- Staged – Speaker
- Staged – Survival
- Staged – Swimmer
- Staged – Walking
- Staged – Water Safety
- Staged – Windsurfer
- Staged – Writer
- UK County Badges
Leslie's Guiding Badge History 