Words by Daisy-May Creighton
Let’s talk about one of the most popular activities at any Jamboree- badge swapping!
Badge swapping is a historical tradition that has been part of Scouting for over 100 years. This is one of few activities that you can do today that has been around since the first Jamboree in 1920!
Badges - sometimes known as Patches around the world - are great for swapping and are sometimes kept just for the fun of having a collection. Some people sew their badges onto a blanket that they take to camps.
Where can we swap badges?
You can swap badges at our badge swapping spot in The Mall, or around the camp in general. Swapping badges is a great way to meet new people! If you’re lucky, you may even get to meet some Scouts from other States or International Contingents and maybe collect one of their badges.
What badges are there?
There are so many badges to be collected including Contingent, Subcamp, District, special event and of course AJ2025 Unit Badges! Some of these are quite rare and special to collect, and are wonderful additions to a badge collection or blanket.
How does it all work?
Badge swapping should be fun! But, to make it fair, we have one BIG rule. Only swap badges with people of a similar age.
If you’re a youth member, meaning a Scout or Venturer, make sure that you only swap badges with other Scouts and Venturers. If you’re an adult, only swap with other adults.
REMEMBER! No badge is ‘better’ than another; make sure you are swapping one badge for one other badge, not one badge for two or three! Even if you have the ‘Dapper Duck AJ2025’ badge which is super rare and awesome, it doesn’t mean somebody else has to give you 2 badges for it! Be fair and kind when swapping and, remember, nobody HAS to give you a badge. If they say no, accept the L and go.
You aren’t just swapping badges, you are swapping memories, so make sure they are good ones. Happy badge swapping!
