Cubs and Scouts

This section provides suggestions for activities and projects that can link to the Scout Association interest badges using the environment and heritage as themes.

Many scouting crafts can be practised by visiting Country Parks. As well as having open spaces ideal for group activities, pre-designed trails and orienteering routes, Park Rangers can give help and advice on finding your way round and the variety of wildlife that can be found.

The Recording Naturally pack (PDF document 1.78mb) produced by the Community Heritage Initiative (CHI)contains lots of creative information on using natural materials in your art projects. Ideas include using digital cameras to make a collage of nature photographs, or using natural materials for printing or painting (e.g. a picture of a bird using a feather as a paintbrush).  

Leicestershire County Council's Open Museum has a range of artworks and natural history resources from stuffed animals to fossils, which can be borrowed as inspiration.  

Another excellent environmental art activity is to use recycled materials to make a sculpture or artwork.

CHI has produced the Collecting and Connecting pack which gives all the information needed to help young people maintain, display and expand their collections. There are several museums in Leicestershire and Rutland which can also be visited for ideas and inspiration. A visit to the Collections Resources Centre at Barrow Upon Soar can provide a unique insight into collections as well as a behind the scenes look at museums.

Environmental awareness is the key theme of the Wild About pack. The pack includes themed wildlife surveys, activities for different times of the year, ideas on how to record and document wildlife and details on how to make survey equipment to help with recording wildlife.

Another excellent environmental activity for groups or individuals to do is to carry out a wildlife survey. A selection of information guides and survey forms are available from the CHI team.  These range from general surveys of the countryside to looking for specific plants or animals. All of CHI's survey forms come with comprehensive guidance and helpful hints on recording. Once completed, the records you collect can be sent to the Environment and Heritage Resources Centre where they will be used to help monitor local and national wildlife trends.

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For information on local history, the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland will be able to help you. They can also assist with family history projects.

For the community service part of this badge you could carry out an environmental activity in your local area. Country parks are always looking for volunteers to help with practical conservation tasks. The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers also work locally on conservation projects and provide opportunities for volunteering.