Stand Tall – the Meerkat Adventure has arrived!
The Meerkat programme is designed to provide a growth and development opportunity for children aged 5 and 6 years old.
It is based on the Scout Method, with material relevant to the age and education level.
Meerkats follow the Meerkat trail where they learn new skills, play educational games and take on challenges divided into a number of themes.
This Early Childhood Development programme was developed to address a direct need in our communities.
Advancement badges
There are three advancement badges that the Meerkats work towards:
Meerkats achieve the advancement badges by completing challenge badges along the way.
There are seven themes in the Meerkat Trail.
The Challenge badges for six of the themes are listed below. Additional badges may be added to a theme, without requiring an update of this Trail.
The requirements for the seventh theme, “Spiritual” are incorporated into the Advancement badges through the Meerkat Promise and Prayer.
The current Challenge badges and their requirements can be found in the “Meerkat Badge Book” on the SCOUTS South Africa website: www.scouts.org.za
Theme: Body and Mind
Outcome: To introduce the Meerkat to living a healthy and active life.
Challenge badges: • Healthy Eating • Keep Fit • Puzzles
Theme: Life Skills
Outcome: To encourage the Meerkat to gain self-confidence and learn some life skills. Challenge badges: • First Aid • Handcraft • Safety
Theme: Living with Nature
Outcome: To encourage the Meerkat to find out about and take part in improving the environment.
Challenge badges: • Gardening • Nature • Recycling
ScOUTcraft:
Outcome: To introduce the Meerkat to ScOUTcraft skills.
Challenge badges: • Adventure • Hiking • Observer
Theme: Service
Outcome: To encourage the Meerkat to be helpful and take responsibility.
Challenge badges: • Community • Little Helper • Standing Tall
Theme: Social
Outcome: To build the Meerkat’s selfconfidence and sense of belonging to their family and community.
Challenge badges: • Entertaining • Proudly South African • World Around Us
Theme: Spiritual
Outcome: To reinforce their efforts to Stand Tall.
Know and understand:
- The Meerkat Promise and Law
- The Meerkat Prayer