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sections:otters:badges [2024/04/18 12:42] – [Nature Badge (Green Paw)] lizkcsections:otters:badges [2024/04/22 14:48] (current) – lizkc
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 ====== Otter Badges ====== ====== Otter Badges ======
 +[[sections:otters:program|Program]] | [[sections:otters:badges|Badges]] | [[sections:otters:meetings:|Meetings]] | [[sections:otters:activities|Activities]] | [[sections:otters:service_projects|Service Projects]] | [[sections:otters:books|Books]] | [[sections:otters:games|Games]] | [[sections:otters:ceremonies|Ceremonies]]
  
 The badges that the kids earn are the four main “paws” (helping, activity, handicraft, and nature) plus the  safety, service, and camping badges. Scouts who earn all four paws plus their safety and camping badge are able  to earn the swimming otter badge to display on their Timberwolf uniform once they swim up. The badges that the kids earn are the four main “paws” (helping, activity, handicraft, and nature) plus the  safety, service, and camping badges. Scouts who earn all four paws plus their safety and camping badge are able  to earn the swimming otter badge to display on their Timberwolf uniform once they swim up.
  
-The meeting suggestions below are just that: suggestions. You can accomplish these requirements over whatever timeline works for your group. It's also good to track the kids' badge requirements over time and have some flexibility in meetings to help the kids meet their goals. Many of the meetings will cover multiple requirements or even multiple badges and you will repeat activities over time, which helps ensure the kids will be able to earn their badges, even if they miss a meeting or two. If you are looking for a meeting agenda that meets a specific requirement, you can search all meeting ideas by badge requirement on the [[sections:otters:meetings:|Meeting Agendas]] page.+The meeting suggestions below are just that: suggestions. You can accomplish these requirements over whatever timeline works for your group. It's also good to track the kids' badge requirements over time and have some flexibility in meetings to help the kids meet their goals. Many of the meetings will cover multiple requirements or even multiple badges and you will repeat activities over time, which helps ensure the kids will be able to earn their badges, even if they miss a meeting or two. If you are looking for a meeting agenda that meets a specific requirement, you can search all meeting ideas by badge requirement on the [[sections:otters:meetings:|Meeting Agendas]] page or you can find a list of all 24 meetings on the [[sections:otters:meetings:calendar|Swimming Otter in 24 Meetings]] page.
  
 //A note about inclusivity:// all badge requirements may be adapted and modified to fit the abilities of your scouts. The goal is to keep the scouts engaged and having fun. //A note about inclusivity:// all badge requirements may be adapted and modified to fit the abilities of your scouts. The goal is to keep the scouts engaged and having fun.
 +
 ===== Investiture Badge ===== ===== Investiture Badge =====
  
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 The biggest challenges that kids face with the safety badge are issues with memorization and being able to tie their shoes. If the issue is likely to resolve over time (a 7 year old may be able to do things that a 5 year old can't), you may wish to give the child time to practice and master the skill. However, if it is a developmental or motor delay that is likely to persist, you may want to adjust the requirements. For example, if a kid has motor delays and struggles with tying shoes, but can reliably put on their own velcro shoes and resecure them as necessary, that can meet the requirement. If a child struggles with memorization but can come up with another way that they could contact their adult in an emergency, that could substitute.  The biggest challenges that kids face with the safety badge are issues with memorization and being able to tie their shoes. If the issue is likely to resolve over time (a 7 year old may be able to do things that a 5 year old can't), you may wish to give the child time to practice and master the skill. However, if it is a developmental or motor delay that is likely to persist, you may want to adjust the requirements. For example, if a kid has motor delays and struggles with tying shoes, but can reliably put on their own velcro shoes and resecure them as necessary, that can meet the requirement. If a child struggles with memorization but can come up with another way that they could contact their adult in an emergency, that could substitute. 
 +
 ===== Helping Badge (Red Paw) ===== ===== Helping Badge (Red Paw) =====
  
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 This meeting relies on having a zoo or wildlife rescue nearby. Zoos can be quite expensive to visit, although many offer group rates. Some of the families in your group may already be members, which can also save money on admissions. If it is not a possibility for your group, consider visiting a wildlife refuge or other place where there's a good variety of wildlife. This meeting relies on having a zoo or wildlife rescue nearby. Zoos can be quite expensive to visit, although many offer group rates. Some of the families in your group may already be members, which can also save money on admissions. If it is not a possibility for your group, consider visiting a wildlife refuge or other place where there's a good variety of wildlife.
 +
 +Meeting agendas including observing animals:
 +{{topic>ot_nature:observe_animals &nouser&nodate}}
 ++++ ++++
  
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 === Adaptations === === Adaptations ===
  
 +As with the blue activity paw, if you have kids with mobility challenges, you may need to adjust where you are doing your nature walk. 
 ===== Service Badge ===== ===== Service Badge =====
  
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 ++++ Visit with local police and find out some ways to help prevent crime and be safe | ++++ Visit with local police and find out some ways to help prevent crime and be safe |
  
 +This one can be tricky depending on the relationship between police and the community in your area. Keep in mind that not everyone may feel comfortable or safe around police officers. You could consider hosting a community safety officer or someone who works with the houseless population in your area come to a meeting instead.
 +
 +Meeting agendas including visiting a police station:
 +{{topic>ot_service:police_visit &nouser&nodate}}
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit the local fire department and find out the danger of fire and some ways of preventing it | ++++ Visit the local fire department and find out the danger of fire and some ways of preventing it |
  
 +Fire station visits make a great meeting for Otters! They lend themselves well to discussions about emergency preparedness as well.
 +
 +Meeting agendas including visiting a fire station:
 +{{topic>ot_service:fire_station_visit &nouser&nodate}}
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit with an ambulance crew or emergency room staff and learn about what they do | ++++ Visit with an ambulance crew or emergency room staff and learn about what they do |
  
 +Ambulance tours are also a good companion for talking about emergency preparedness, or you could do an otter first aid activity after your tour.
 +
 +Meeting agendas including visiting a fire station:
 +{{topic>ot_service:ambulance_visit &nouser&nodate}}
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit your mayor or other government official and learn what it means to be a good citizen | ++++ Visit your mayor or other government official and learn what it means to be a good citizen |
  
 +Talking to civic leaders is a great way to learn about activism in your community. You could also substitute a community organizer or activist in place of a government official.
 +
 +Meeting agendas including meeting with a government official:
 +{{topic>ot_service:government_official &nouser&nodate}}
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit an exhibit or attend a performance to learn how art helps individuals and our community | ++++ Visit an exhibit or attend a performance to learn how art helps individuals and our community |
  
 +This can be a great combination with some of the art activities from the handicraft badge. 
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit a sanitation or recycling facility and find out about recycling and helping your family reduce, reuse, and recycle | ++++ Visit a sanitation or recycling facility and find out about recycling and helping your family reduce, reuse, and recycle |
  
 +Depending on your community, Otter-age kids may not be allowed to visit sanitation/recycling facilities. Some alternatives include creative reuse centers and architectural reuse centers.
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit a farm and learn where our food comes from | ++++ Visit a farm and learn where our food comes from |
  
 +Depending on where you visit, this may be an opportunity to learn about seeds and plants for the nature badge as well.
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit a library and learn about all that libraries provide to our community | ++++ Visit a library and learn about all that libraries provide to our community |
  
 +You could combine this with researching animals for your animal scrapbook project, or doing a handicraft activity.
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Attend a cultural center or event and learn about how diversity enriches our community | ++++ Attend a cultural center or event and learn about how diversity enriches our community |
  
 +Think about how to get kids engaged--is there a craft you could do that would help them connect to the culture? What about learning a song?
 ++++ ++++
  
 ++++ Visit an animal shelter and learn about everything shelters do to help animals | ++++ Visit an animal shelter and learn about everything shelters do to help animals |
  
 +This is a great field trip to combine with learning about pet care.
 ++++ ++++
  
 +===== Camping Badge =====
 +
 +An Otter earns their camping badge by camping for 5 nights, either with their raft or with their family.
 +
 +===== Swimming Otter =====
  
 +An Otter who has earned all four paws and their safety badge may complete the Timberwolf Investiture requirements prior to swimming up. This allows them to join the pack as an invested Timberwolf and wear the Swimming Otter badge on their Timberwolf uniform to recognize their achievements as an Otter.

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