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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

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Scouts Communicator Activity Badge

Scouts Communicator Activity Badge

Communicator badge

Communication can help us reach out to more people, from longer distances and using a wide range of languages. Work towards your Communicator badge and help bring people closer together.

Choose 1 of the following options:

  1. Radio communication

    You automatically gain this activity badge if you already hold, or working towards, any of these qualifications:

    • Radio Amateur Licence (Foundation, Intermediate or Full)

    If not, complete all of these:

    1. Learn the regulations governing the use of amateur radio equipment.
    2. Visit an amateur radio station.
    3. Log 25 different amateur radio stations. Note the date, time, call sign, frequency, readability and location. You may include some broadcast stations.
    4. Show how to tune a simple communications receiver.
    5. Give an example of a typical greetings message.
    6. Explain in simple terms how radio waves travel around the world.

      Learn the more commonly used HF and VHF amateur frequency bands.

    7. Learn the phonetic alphabet and define at least eight international Q code signals.
    8. Show that you can recognise call signs from the UK and near continent.
  2. Communication codes
    1. Send and receive a short message by Morse code or semaphore at a rate of five words per minute.
    2. Show that you know the proper procedure for sending and receiving a message.
    3. Learn the International Phonetic Alphabet and define at least eight international Q code signals.
    4. Construct a simple Morse code oscillator and send a short message.
  3. Mobile and internet communication
    1. Show you know how to use your mobile safely and how to keep it safe.
    2. Learn the meaning of these terms: SMS, MMS, 3G, 4G, WAP and Bluetooth.
    3. Send a creative text, multimedia or video message to invite a friend to a Scouts event.
    4. Manage a mobile phone address book and set up groups of contacts.
    5. Show you can text accurately at a rate of 50 characters per minute.
    6. Show you know the meaning of some popular chat abbreviations.
    7. Share photos and videos of a Scouting activity you’ve been involved with, using available technology.
    8. Manage an email address book and set up groups of contacts.
  4. Foreign languages

    Complete these tasks in any foreign language:

    1. Carry on a simple conversation for about 10 minutes.
    2. Act as an interpreter for a visitor who does not speak your native language.
    3. Write a letter of around 150 words.
    4. After a few minutes of study, translate a paragraph of basic text.
    5. Communicate with a person who does not speak your native language.
  5. Translator

    Complete these tasks in a recognised sign language, such as Makaton or BSL:

    1. Carry out a simple conversation for about 10 minutes.
    2. Use sign language to describe a Scouting experience to another person.
    3. Act as a translator for a short conversation between a sign language user and someone with no sign language experience.
    4. Invite a sign language user to talk to your Troop about what it’s like to have impaired hearing or speech.

      Help by translating for them during their visit.

Tips

    • Getting involved in Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) or Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) provides a good opportunity for Scouts to work towards this badge. For more information, please visit the WOSM event page or the UK JOTA-JOTI Facebook page, or email joti@scouts.org.uk.
    • The Amateur Radio Scout Active Support Unit exists to support Groups, Districts, Counties/Areas/Regions and events of all sizes with running amateur radio and electronics based activities, with special focus on helping with JOTA stations across the country. Get in touch here.

October 2024.

Requirements can be adapted to suit each young persons abilities. See our guidance on flexibility.

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