Issue #9 – September 2015
Earning and Re-Earning Badges
by Kerry Cordy
I get asked a lot of questions regarding how to earn badges at each level and then what is required to re-earn them at a new level.
How to Earn Badges
Each badge has two mandatory requirements for each age level and then a set number of requirements the child may choose from the optional requirement list to complete their badge. The number of optional requirements needed is dictated by the age of the child. Of the mandatory requirements, the first is always to complete the mandatory requirements of all lower levels. This is to ensure that a child builds their knowledge from the ground up and does not miss out on any important information. While some of the requirements may be overly simplified due to the fact that they were written with younger children in mind, the knowledge or skill is just as important for the older kids and usually quite simple to complete.
Keep in mind that the same requirement done by both a Preschooler and an Level 4 (high schooler) should look vastly different in execution. The knowledge and skill expected out of a Preschooler is much less than what is expected out of a Level 4. For example a Preschool mandatory requirement in the Electricity badge states, ” Help an adult make an electric potato clock or similar science project involving electricity.” As a Preschooler, the adult will end up doing most of the work on a project like this with the Preschooler simply helping out. If earning the badge as an Level 4, this requirement is still mandatory, but the Level 4 should either be able to build a simple device like a Potato clock on their own, or a more advanced device with the help of an adult.
In addition to the mandatory requirements, children have to complete a certain number of optional requirements as well. These requirements simply add more information or skills about the subject at hand and can be used to help focus the child on the aspects of the badge subject that interest them the most. Additional optional requirements may also be written if a child has an opportunity to learn something about the subject that may not yet be listed.
Re-Earning a Badge At a New Age Level
If a child has earned a badge at a younger level and is re-earning it at a higher level, they still have to go back and repeat the lower level mandatory requirements. If the requirement is knowledge based, to complete it tehy must either show that they still have the knowledge they learned at a lower level, or re-learn it. If it is skill based, they should show improvement since demonstrating the same skill at a younger level.
Children are encouraged to choose new optional requirements when re-earning a badge, but they are welcome to repeat previously completed optional requirements as well. It is expected that if optional requirements used at a lower level are used again when re-earning a badge at a higher level, that the quality of work or understanding has improved. For example, if a child goes on a field trip to a dairy as an Level 4, she should retain lot more information then when she went as an Level 1.
The more often a child re-earns the same badge, the more their knowledge and skills will be retained which is why we have the kids spiral back and redo lower level mandatory requirements. The idea is to repeat and reinforce the information at each level while adding new information and skills as the children grow.
New Badge Size and Design!
After many requests over the years to find a way to mark badges based on when they were earned, we are finally making a change. The new badges will be 1 1/4″ in diameter instead of 1″ and will have a colored ring around the outer edge based on the color of the level the child was at when they earned it. The sample above shows a green ring for Level 3. The back of the pins are also much higher quality with a more secure locking system. The price for badges will remain the same at $.99 each.
For those who prefer the original, smaller, un-ringed badges, we will still be offering these for sale at least for the next year or two as we phase them out. We don’t want kids to be forced to wear two different sizes on their uniform unless they want to. Eventually though we will be switching over entirely to the new larger badge size.
Comments are welcome!
New Badge List Layout
The Quest Clubs badge list has become so extensive that it is getting a bit unmanageable. As a result, we are in the process of changing how the badges are listed. We are trying to write more generalized badges that can be customized for a variety of specific badges rather than an individual badge for every subject. For example, if we try to list every single badge written for specific books, our list would scroll on forever. Instead, we have written a Books badge that is customizable for any book, a Trademarked Toys badge, customizable for any toy, a Biographies badge customizable to any person you wish to study, etc.
We still want kids to have the freedom to write very specific badges on the topics of their choice however and have a chance to share those ideas with others. As a result, if there are specific requirements written for a specific book series, they will now be available through a link at the bottom of the Books badge rather than being listed on their own. The Jane Austen badge will now be listed as a link at the bottom of the Biographies badge. The Legos badge will now be listed as a link under Trademarked Toys. You can still use the search button on the left side of the website to search for specific topics if you are not sure what general category they may attached to.
If you ever have a problem finding a badge, just ask!
New Badges Released
Digital Movie Making, Words, Advanced Aviation, History of Medicine, Trademarked Toys (Specific)
Help Member Earn Her Make a Difference Award
submitted by Teri Self
I’m working on my make a difference award, and would like your help. My project is ” Newborns in need”. The “911” babies and newborns in need is an organization mobilized across the United States to offer baby items to those families who need help. In 2013 they distributed over 450,000 items to families. http://newbornsinneed.org/
The items they need are:
Sleepers gowns undershirts onesies ( preemies and newborns –3 months)
Clothing new and gently used from 3 – 6 months and 9-12 months
bibs ,burp cloth , pacifiers and bottles (BPA free)
Toiletries and wipes (regular size and travel size)
Child size Bibles
If you can help that would be most appreciated. Collected items can be mailed to:
Teri Self
534 Stonehenge Dr
Woodville tx 75979
Take a Photo, Show You Support
by Kim Ruska