Welcome to our online support to UK Guides who would like to earn a badge for stamp collecting! Guide Association UK offers the following badges that could be awarded to Brownie and Guide stamp collectors:

Brownie Collector Interest Badge

1. Make an interesting, well-assorted collection to do with your hobby or interest.  Your collection might be of picture postcards, soft toys, badges, novelty erasers or something else.  Arrange and, if necessary, label your exhibits.  The tester will judge your collection on the number of exhibits and their variety and arrangement.

2. Be able to tell the tester something about your collection, for example, how long you have had it, where the items came from, what you like about it, how you are going to extend it.

3. While you are working for this badge, go and see other collections, for example, in a library, an art gallery, a museum, a stately home, a garden or a zoo.  Tell the tester about your visit and describe how the exhibits were displayed.

Guide Hobbies Interest Badge

1. Start a new hobby or develop an existing hobby over at least six weeks.

2. For your chosen hobby think about the following questions:

• Is this hobby fun?
• Can I afford it?
• Do I have the space for it?
• Do I have time for it?

Discuss your answers with your tester.

3. Describe your hobby and how long you have been interested in it to your Patrol.  If possible, show examples of a collection, things you have made or demonstrate what is involved.

4. Explain the skills needed to pursue your hobby and what you have learned.

5. Discover more about your hobby by reading a book, visiting an exhibition, watching a TV programme or talking to someone else with the same hobby.  Discuss what you found out with the tester.

RESOURCES:

• The Royal Philatelic Society London
• Great Britain Philatelic Society
• The Scout and Guide Stamps Club