Being a Badger

Badgers are the youngest St John people, aged under 11. Anyone can join a Badger Sett, which operate across England. Badgers usually meet once a week for around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Badgers take part in a wide range of fun activities based on essential first aid and other fascinating topics, earning badges and certificates for each one. For every three subjects a Badger completes, they receive an award until they achieve their Super Badger Award.

To give each new Badger the best possible introduction, Welcome Badger provides a range of activities to ensure all new Badgers and their parents/carers are provided with all the essentials in the first few important weeks.

Our Badger programme covers a wide range of subjects and activities, from first aid to communication skills, to healthy living and being safe. All the subjects have been written by St John people with the aim of Badgers in mind and to support children through their learning and development journey. 

Badgers can:

  • learn first aid
  • make new friends
  • get creative with arts and crafts
  • find out how the body works and how to stay healthy
  • learn about helping their local community
  • take part in team games
  • develop leadership and communication skills, and much more!

Find out about the subjects and awards Badgers can complete as part of the Super Badger Award!

 

Badger Billy saves grandmother's life

Watch the incredible story of how Billy, a St John Ambulance Badger, put his first aid skills to use to save his grandmother from choking.

The first step to becoming a Badger is to find your nearest Sett using our finder tool. To get started, reach out to a local leader to see if spaces are available and find out more about where and when the group meets.

Badgers is open to all, and we can usually tweak things to make sure everyone can join in the fun. If you have any questions about accessibility, chat with your local leader as soon as possible. By being upfront from the start, parents/carers can work in partnership with local leaders to make sure their young person has.

How much does it cost?

All Badger Setts and Cadet units charge a fixed annual subscription of £72 which can be paid annually or monthly.

The payment covers costs, such as

  • keeping young people safe
  • leadership courses (Cadets)
  • equipment, certificates, and badges.

There are sometimes extra costs for other events, such as camps and residential courses.

Subscriptions do not cover the cost of uniform.

What should I wear?

Is there a waiting list?

Where can I get the uniform?

Safeguarding - keeping young people safe

Get involved

Find your nearest Youth unit and register your interest using the link below

Got a question? Get in touch.