List of proficiency badges (UPDATED)

Hey Guides!
 I have updated the list of easy proficiency badges! If you have found any other badges that are quite easy to do, do come and tell me:)

1.National Heritage Badge: (Choose 1 option)

1. Plan a Heritage Trail Itinerary for 1 whole day that includes 4 places with historical & cultural significance. You may also plan lunch at a hawker centre/ establishment with such significance. Your itinerary must

·         be logical and take into account travelling time

·         include 1-paragraph description of the significance of EACH of the places visited

OR

2. Design an information booklet (booklet form only!) on at least 4 Monuments in Singapore

·         It must include illustrations

·         There should be a 2 paragraph write-up on each monument, describing the historical/ cultural significance.

2. Cooks’ Badge

Fill out the Cooks’ testers’ template (Annex 1) by:

1. Cooking a complete meal (3 dishes + dessert), set the table and clear up afterwards.

2. Fulfilling all requirements found on the form.

3. Asking your parents/ guardians to fill up the form, and sign. The form should state what you cooked and shed some light on the methods used. E.g. Fried Chicken Wings, Grilled Potato Pancake, Baked pot pies.

4. Be prepared to answer teachers’ questions on your dishes, ingredients, prices ; methods.

Ensure your form is 100% complete upon submission.

3. Hostess
                                                     FILL OUT THE FORM (Annex 2)

1. At your own home, HOST your tester (Parents/ Guardians/ Friends/ Family Friend) at a simple event – e.g. morning coffee, afternoon tea, a party, a get-together, dinner, etc.

2. Demonstrate ability to take care of the following details:

a) Preparation & decoration of meeting room/ laying of tables/ washroom arrangements

b) Serving of refreshments/ meal

c) Provision of entertainment (e.g. activities for guest/ conversation topics/ items to show and talk about, etc)

3. Write any 2 of the following letters:

·         Inviting a friend to any of the above-mentioned events

·         Inviting a friend to stay at your home

·         Accepting AND refusing an invitation (formal language)

·         Thanking someone after a visit

4. Laundress

FILL OUT THE FORM (Annex 3)  

1. Wash and dry:

·         A white cotton article

·         A coloured cotton garment

·         A garment made from rayon or other synthetic fibre

·         A woolen garment

·         A pair of socks or stockings

At least one of the garments must have sleeves.

2. Describe the routine of a washing day either with or without a washing machine

(E.g. What you do and how long you take when washing, wringing, drying and thereafter)

3. Show your tester how you remove a stain.

5. Local History Badge:

You may need some advice from your grandparents or history teacher. All the best!

In a scrapbook, put together:

1. A few pictures and written descriptions of a local building/ area of interest that has some history behind it.
2. Write the developmental history behind the place above. (E.g. In 1890s it was a warehouse, in 1944 it was a makeshift hospital for the Japanese, then in 1999 it was redeveloped, etc)If there’s no historical development, describe how the place was like at one period in the past. (E.g. It was once very popular and crowded, with many street stalls selling …etc)
3. Write about one of the following:

·         A local legend

·         A local custom/ tradition

·         A local craft

·         The origin of the names of 6 local places

4. Write about 3 people who have played an interesting role in the history of Singapore.

6. Accident Prevention­:

1. Describe, in detail and with diagrams where necessary, how to prevent accidents when around/ using:

·         Open fires

·         Electric cooking stoves

·         Electrical appliances

2. Write about how to take special precautions in the house with:

·         Old people

·         Young children

3. Write about 2 ways of preventing accidents when:

·         Boating

·         Bathing

·         On public transport, cars and bicycles

·         With animals

·         In high-rise buildings

4. Identify potential dangers in one of the following scenarios, and briefly describe how to prevent those accidents.

·         A chalet barbecue in the late evening

·         A pool party

·         A chemistry lesson in the lab

7. Thrift Badge:

This is only meaningful for those who really practice this value!

 Put the following info together:

1. Photocopies of some recent pages of your bankbook (over at least 3 months) to show you have added to it regularly. I.e. it has regular action in the “deposit” column. (You may cancel out sensitive info!)
2. A letter from your parents stating you are not wasteful at home (items & utilities) and that keep your things in good condition 
3. Answer the following questions on thrift in a meaningful way:

·         Why is thrift considered a “value”?

·         Who should practice thrift and why?

·         List down as many examples of how YOU practiced thrift over the past 2 weeks, as you can.                                                                                                                                                             

4. At the guider’s request, be prepared to bring an article that demonstrates your thrift – e.g. repaired pencil case, file, clothing, toy, etc.

8. Interpreters’ Badge

1. First, choose two languages you are proficient in.

2. Describe briefly a profile of a foreign visitor to Singapore.
    (Country, Age, Gender)

3. Include a picture of her national flag & state her national language(s).

4.             Phrase Chart 1:

·         Write 5-6 questions the foreigner would ask in her language.

·         Translate it into the other language, creating a simple phrase chart (see  table below).

5.       Phrase Chart 2:

·         Write the ANSWERS in both languages.

6.       With the same visitor in mind:

·         Use a table to plan a shopping expedition / sight-seeing trip in English.

·         It must include Time, Activity (include travelling time) and Estimated cost in S$ and the foreigner’s currency.

7.     Using Phrase Chart 3:

·         Write a short dialogue between yourself and the visitor, regarding how you’d introduce the various destinations/ provide information, etc.

E.g. of Phrase Chart of Questions

English	Mandarin
Where is the toilet?	请问厕所在哪里？
What is the time now?	现在是几点？

E.g. of Phrase Chart of Answers

English	Mandarin
The toilet is on the right of the coffeehouse.	厕所在咖啡屋的右边。
It is now 7 o’clock.	现在是七点。

 E.g. of Phrase Chart of Dialogue when shopping

English	Mandarin
Me: We will now at Ngee Ann City, which is a huge shopping mall with a large variety of items for sale.	我: 我们现在就去… (I’m not the one doing your homework :P)
Visitor: When was it built?
Me: It was built in the 1990s. Oh! What a pretty skirt!

9. Writers’ Badge:

Submit the following stapled together:

1.     Marked Essay of at least 1000 words [COUNT THE WORDS]

2.     A poem of your own composition (If it’s too short, submit 2)

·         State the form of your poem, e.g. Haiku, Sonnet, Limerick, Free Verse, etc.

·         It should be of good quality.

3.     Write a letter to a friend, telling her about a Guides activity you enjoyed. (at least 200 words)

10. Friend To Animals:

Create a simple scrapbook revolving around your pet/ favourite domestic animal. (Must contain pictures):

a.    Explain what it needs to be healthy (food, exercise, love, etc)

b.    Explain what health issues it may face, and how you would seek advice from relevant authorities to solve these issues

c.     Explain how you would feed/ apply medicine to the animal

d.    Explain &elaborate on what would constitute cruelty to the animal.

E.g.

·         Over-feeding

·         Lack of discipline in training

·         Unsuitable living conditions

·         Insufficient care/ grooming, etc

e.    Briefly provide information on two other domestic animals

Please use pictures/ photographs of your pet to spice up your scrapbook

11. Readers’ Badge:

Submit the following stapled together:

1. Your 350-word review of 2 books by

-       an Asian author

-       a Western author

(suggestion for the more proficient: Choose books on the same theme and compare writers’ perspective/ plot/ etc)

2. A 200-word review on 2 of the following books related to Scouting/Guiding:

-     The Wolf that Never Sleeps

-       Window on My Heart

-       Scouting for Boys

3. Submit a list of 4 other books you’ve read on any 4 of these topics:

-       Science or nature

-       Travel or exploration

-        A foreign country

-       History

-       A book of poems

*Write a short paragraph ( around 40 words) for each book, stating the impression each book left on you.

4. Submit a short passage of about 4 paragraphs from a sacred book of your choice. (I.e. Koran, Bible, etc) You must read this to the tester. Please fix an appointment with Mrs Michelle Cheong.

12. Dental Health
1.      Know the structure and function of teeth.
2.     Make a model or chart of a tooth with whatever materials that can be used.
3.     Know the various oral hygiene aids and their correct use.
4.     Know the importance of good nutrition for good dental health.
5.     Name 6 foods which contain free sugars and how they affect dental health.
6.     Demonstrate how a younger child can be taught to practice good oral hygiene.

Annex 1

Cook’s Badge - Testers’ Template

I, ___________________________, parent/ guardian of _________________________, (Patrol: ___________) confirm that my daughter/ ward has prepared, cooked and served a complete meal, and cleared up on her own afterwards.

The table below contains the details of her efforts: 

Task		Task
Main courses (Where possible, state the technique used, e.g. Boiled Vegetables, Stir-fried Chicken, Fried Omelette, etc)	Comments:	My daughter has also completed the following tasks:	Tick (√)
1.		1. Made a cup of tea, coffee or cocoa
2.		2. Washed all utensils by herself
3.		3. Set the table
Dessert:
1.
She used at least 2 of the following techniques	Tick (√)
Boiling,
Baking,
Steaming,
Stewing,
Frying or Grilling

For clarification or other information, I may be contacted at ________________ (contact number).

Parent/ Guardian’s signature:  ___________________                    Date: ___________

Annex 2 (Staple your letters behind this form.)

Hostess Badge Form

I, __________________________ (Class:________) of _______ (patrol), confirm that the following information regarding my work for Hostess Badge is honest and true.

Guest Name(s): (Just list 3 max)		Guest Relation to you, age range & gender  (E.g. my extended family, abt 35-50 yrs, Male & Female)
Event Date:		Event Type:
Where I hosted them: (E.g. Living & Dining Room, Condo Function Room, etc)		How I prepared the room/ home:
Refreshments I served:		Entertainment & activities planned: (E.g. Videos, conversations started, things you showed them)

My Parent/ Guardian/ Witness, Mr/ Ms/ Mrs/ Mdm________________________ (name) can verify that the above information is true, and may be contacted at _________________ (contact number).

__________________________                                                   _________________

Parent/ Guardian/ Witness’s signature                                                            Date

Annex 3 (Please attach your “Routine of a washing day” behind.)

Laundress Badge – Testers’ Template

I, ___________________________, parent/ guardian of _________________________, (Patrol: ___________) confirm that my daughter/ ward has done the following laundry activities and shown the appropriate knowledge and skill.

Task: Washed and dried:	Tick (√)
1. A white cotton garment
2. A coloured cotton garment
3. A garment made from rayon or other synthetic fibre
4. A woolen garment
5. A pair of socks or stockings
I confirm that at least one of the above articles had sleeves
Demonstration of knowledge	Tick (√)
Her written/ typed** description the routine of a washing day (follow given instructions on Profi Homework list) is accurate and appropriate.
She successfully demonstrated how to remove a stain from clothing
Please provide some comments on her task fulfillment:

For clarification or other information, I may be contacted at ________________ (contact number).

Parent/ Guardian’s signature:  ___________________                    Date: ____________
LOVE, Sarah