Water badges launched for Guides, Scouts and Brownies
A new badge to raise awareness about flooding has been launched for Scouts, Guides and Brownies in England.
The Flood Aware badge aims to help build understanding across Hull and the East Riding region of North Eastern England about the importance of water and the impact of a changing climate. According to the Yorkshire Flood Resilience group, 98% of Hull is considered to be at flood risk, giving the port city the second-highest number of properties at risk of flooding in an urban area in the UK, second only to London.
The badge was created by the Living With Water partnership - a collaboration between regional water company Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and the University of Hull. Yorkshire Water’s education team designed the activities where children can earn the badge by completing fun challenges to explore the world of water, climate change, and flood event preparation.
“Young people are naturally very interested in climate change and the environment, and we hope by creating this badge we will be able to educate the children on the issues that impact their local area.”
Yorkshire Water’s education team also offer learning sessions at the Living with Water Community Hub at Hull's Wilberforce College. The hub is a one-of-a-kind facility providing an inspiring and interactive space for schools, students, and the wider community to learn about water and climate resilience.
A wet lab provides a hands-on space designed to educate people on water cycles and flood risk in the area. Within the lab, there is a 3D model showcasing sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) and how they work and an interactive LED screen used as a flooding teaching tool.
This is not the the only badge launched this year that encourages the next generation to be prepared when it comes to water. Earlier this year in Wales, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Scouts Cymru teamed up to launch a new Water Safety Awareness Badge - with the aim of teaching young people key lifesaving skills to help them stay safe in and around coastal or inland waters.
The new Water Safety Awareness Badge teaches young people to know and recognise the risks that water presents to minimise the chances of getting into danger, as well as how to help themselves if they fall into cold water.
Neil Horbury Scouts Cymru Commissioner for programme said, "We're delighted to be launching a new range of badges that guarantee fun and adventure while encouraging scouts to develop a greater understanding of water safety. Throughout its 115-year history the scouting movement has continued to evolve and these new badges make sure we are able to keep offering activities that educate and enthuse young people in equal measure."