Scouts Go Solar
Challenge

Clean energy refers to renewable energy sources that have minimal or no negative impact on the environment during their production and use. It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating the effects of climate change and decreasing our dependence on fossil fuel resources. And one of the biggest sources for clean energy is our mighty Sun.

Its abundant and renewable nature makes it an ideal resource to tap into, harnessed through solar panels, sunlight is converted into electricity or heat. By being innovative and utilizing solar energy, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, decrease carbon emissions, and combat climate change leading to a greener, healthier future.

Scouts Go Solar is an educational journey focused on utilizing the sun as a main source of natural, renewable energy. It allows young people to not only learn about, but also implement daily best practices in greener living by using sunlight as a sustainable resource.

Through engaging activities and hands-on experiences, Scouts will develop valuable knowledge and skills in harnessing the power of the sun, create change in our culture of energy usage, and become solar ambassadors.

As a final step in the challenge, a community service project must be implemented by the young people applying for the badge. Creating a service project is main goal of the challenge, where young people can put the knowledge and skills they gained into practice, leaving a positive imprint on the community.

By embracing solar energy as a sustainable solution, young people can actively shape a future that is not only brighter but also cleaner for our precious planet.

The learning objectives of each challenge are designed to not only educate and inspire but also empower individuals. They are structured to guide participants through a personalized journey, tailored to their age, ensuring that their knowledge evolves from one activity or project to the next. This approach builds competencies for sustainable development, and empowers young people to lead positive change.

The Scouts Go Solar challenge takes a young person on the learning path of “Clean Energy”, where they explore sustainable energy options and how they can be adopted. They will progress through three main milestones:

• Be Aware of the world around them and build knowledge of key environmental issues.
• Cooperate with others to find solutions to protect ecosystems, biodiversity and outdoor spaces.
• Act to implement green practices that create sustainable and positive change.

Young people may combine the Scouts Go Solar challenge with other challenges that are environment-focused, to complement their journey through the Earth Tribe. 

For a young person to earn their Scouts Go Solar badge, they must follow the below process with the support of their adult Leader.

To begin each challenge, the youth will first undergo a self-assessment to evaluate their current level of knowledge and awareness regarding the learning paths associated with the challenge.

Upon completing of all the activities and the community project of a challenge, the young person will become member of the Earth Tribe and recognised as a global citizen for the environment. They will receive the Earth Tribe pin and challenge badge.

Both young people and adults can explore various combinations, suited for each individual's interests, drawing from other existing environmental initiatives within the NSO.

Adult Leaders and young people can request the support of Scouts Go Solar Ambassadors in their country. A number of Scout Leaders have developed additional capacity and knowledge in the area of solar energy. The Scouts Go Solar Ambassadors are members of the national team and are able to provide technical support for the implementation of activities, development of content, and coordination of events. Contact your national team for more information.