Cubs Challenge Awards Explained | UK Scouts

The Cubs Challenge Awards are designed to encourage young people to try new things, develop practical skills, work with others and take on challenges.

There are seven Challenge Awards for Cubs:

Together, they cover a wide range of experiences, from camping and outdoor activities to leadership, teamwork, personal development and discovering different cultures.

Completing all seven is also an important part of earning the Chief Scout‘s Silver Award, the highest award a Cub can earn.

Our World Challenge Award

The Our World Challenge Award encourages Cubs to discover more about their community and the wider world.

Cubs create a community map, take part in an activity that benefits their local community and explore a faith or culture they’re unfamiliar with.

They also take part in an environmental activity, learn about another country’s game and Promise, and celebrate a festival from another country or culture.

It’s a great opportunity to introduce Cubs to different communities, cultures and traditions while helping them understand their place in the wider world.

Our Skills Challenge Award

The Our Skills Challenge Award is about learning new skills and discovering new interests.

Cubs try new sports or physical activities, take part in activities that support healthy living and explore creative activities.

They also learn and use practical skills, with examples including cooking, sewing and bicycle maintenance.

The award gives Cubs plenty of flexibility to explore skills that interest them.

Our Outdoors Challenge Award

For Cubs who enjoy camping and outdoor activities, Our Outdoors is a particularly exciting Challenge Award.

Cubs need to take part in at least three nights away, on camps or Pack holidays.

While away, they work with other Cubs on activities including cooking, following the Countryside Code, pitching and striking tents, looking after themselves and their equipment, building a shelter and completing a pioneering project or camp gadget.

They also learn basic responses to minor injuries and how to make an emergency call.

There are additional outdoor activities to choose from, including wide games, backwoods cooking, campfire entertainment, knots and bivouacking.

Our Adventure Challenge Award

The Our Adventure Challenge Award encourages Cubs to get active and try things they might not normally experience.

Cubs take part in two different adventurous activities, with at least one being new to them.

They also complete six other outdoor activities, again trying at least two that are new to them.

Finally, they go on a hike or follow a trail and learn how to prepare properly for their activities and hikes.

The award can include activities ranging from bouldering and rafting to obstacle courses, tracking, water games and making a mini raft.

The emphasis is on giving Cubs a chance to experience different types of adventure.

Teamwork Challenge Award

The Teamwork Challenge Award is about learning how to work effectively with other people.

Cubs take part in at least six different team games, demonstrate how they’ve helped their team and identify different types of teams and roles.

They also complete team-building activities and take part in Pack forums or similar activities where they make a positive contribution.

It’s not just about winning games.

Cubs learn that good teamwork involves listening, taking turns, helping others and contributing towards a shared goal.

Team Leader Challenge Award

The Team Leader Challenge Award takes teamwork a step further.

Cubs develop leadership skills by leading their Six in an activity or captaining a team.

They also help a new Cub join in with the Pack, teach another Cub a skill and find out what their Six or team would like to do in Cubs before helping make it happen.

Importantly, a Cub doesn’t have to be a Sixer or Seconder to complete this award.

Scouts specifically describes it as an opportunity for everyone to develop leadership skills.

Personal Challenge Award

The Personal Challenge Award is different because the challenges are personal to each Cub.

Each Cub completes two personal challenges agreed with their leader.

One is chosen by the Cub and the other by the leader.

The challenges should be things the Cub finds difficult but can achieve with effort and commitment.

That could mean trying something new, improving a habit, taking on additional responsibility or developing a skill.

The important thing is progress.

A challenge doesn’t have to be something dramatic. It simply needs to be meaningful to the individual Cub.

How the Seven Awards Fit Together

The seven awards cover different parts of the Cub experience.

Our World helps Cubs understand their community and the wider world.

Our Skills encourages them to develop practical, creative and physical skills.

Our Outdoors builds confidence in camping and outdoor life.

Our Adventure encourages them to try new and exciting activities.

Teamwork develops cooperation.

Team Leader introduces leadership.

Personal Challenge focuses on individual development.

Together, they create a broad programme that encourages Cubs to keep learning and trying new things.

How Do They Link to the Chief Scout’s Silver Award?

The Challenge Awards are particularly important because completing all seven is one of the requirements for the Chief Scout’s Silver Award.

To earn the Silver Award, Cubs need to complete:

All seven Challenge Awards

and

Six Activity or Staged Activity Badges of their choice.

The Silver Award is the highest award a Cub can earn.

Don’t Treat the Awards Like Homework

Challenge Awards work best when they are built naturally into the Cub programme.

A camping weekend can contribute towards Our Outdoors.

A team game can help with Teamwork.

A community project can contribute towards Our World.

An outdoor adventure can help with Our Adventure.

The Cubs should still feel that they’re taking part in an exciting programme rather than simply completing a list of badge requirements.

Give Cubs Some Choice

Cubs are old enough to have opinions about what they want to do.

Where the requirements allow it, give them choices.

Ask what activities they’d like to try.

Let them suggest games.

Give them opportunities to take responsibility.

This can make the Challenge Awards feel much more personal and meaningful.

Celebrate the Progress

Completing a Challenge Award is an achievement.

Don’t wait until a Cub earns the Silver Award before celebrating their progress.

Badge presentations, certificates, special activities or simply recognising an achievement during a Pack meeting can all help Cubs feel proud of what they’ve accomplished.

The badge represents the achievement, but the experiences behind it are what really matter.

Final Thoughts

The seven Cubs Challenge Awards provide a framework for adventure, skills, teamwork, leadership, personal growth and discovering the wider world.

They also give Cubs a clear route towards their Chief Scout’s Silver Award.

The best programmes don’t make the awards feel like a checklist.

Instead, Cubs should be learning and developing while they’re having fun.

🐺 THE BIG IDEA

Challenge Awards are about trying, learning and growing.

Try something new.
Learn a useful skill.
Work with your friends.
Take responsibility.
Challenge yourself.

By the time a Cub has completed all seven Challenge Awards, they should have built up a collection of experiences that prepare them for their next adventure in Scouting.