Roots to Nature with Barnet Scouts

This September we’re excited to launch a new District challenge: Roots to Nature with Barnet Scouts.

This comes after a recent study found human connection to nature has declined 60% in 200 years. One of the most effective ways to reverse this is by helping young people and families build awareness and engagement with the natural world, according to the study.

Naturally, as Scouts, connecting with the outdoors is one of our core themes. The Roots to Nature challenge plans to strengthen our own relationship with nature, as well as support wider plans to encourage more young people and adults into Scouting in Barnet Borough.

We’re challenging Groups and Units to take on six activities (below) to grow our roots to nature here in Barnet.

Badge requirements

This special badge can be earned by completing the following:

1. Explore a local green space in or near Barnet.
2. Learn a nature-connected skill, such as fire lighting or shelter building.
3. Explore how nature helps mental health. Complete an activity focused on mindfulness in nature.
4. Take part in an project to re-green a local urban space, or to improve an existing green space in Barnet.
5. Learn and use 10 natural terms (e.g. Squirrels might identify rivers and moss, whilst Explorers might identify types of trees or constellations).
6. Review your efforts achieving this badge. How did reconnecting with nature make you feel? How will you stay connected? What are the barriers to accessing nature in Barnet and what could you do to change this?

All sections can earn this badge, and as always feel free to adapt requirements to suit each young persons abilities.

Leaders’ notes

This badge can be ordered from Judy.

We’d love to see a few photos and a couple of sentences from any Groups who complete this. If you send us bits on the go, we’ll be shouting a lot about this online and on socials. If you’re trying to increase your membership locally, this is a good way to get your Group name out there.

We’re also hoping to get stories out into the local press about this. Groups can send us short quotes and action shot photos for a chance to be featured.

Ideas

• Take a look on The Scouts activity finder for a range of programme ideas
• Find Barnet parks and open spaces near you
• Find out about volunteering at an open space in Barnet
• Other ways to get involved with nature in Barnet

Resources

• Badge requirements to print
• Badge image
• Human connection to nature has declined 60% in 200 years, study finds | The Guardian