The Meerkat Trail

The Meerkat Programme introduces young children to the world of Scouting through fun, friendship, badges, outdoor adventure, kindness, confidence and learning to always “stand tall”.

About the Meerkat Programme

The Meerkat Programme is made up of Membership, three Advancement levels, seven themed areas, Challenge Badges, Interest Badges, the Burrowing Up Badge and Special Badges.

The Meerkat Promise, Law and Prayer

Meerkat Promise

I will love my God, be kind and stand tall.

Meerkat Law

A Meerkat always stands tall.

Meerkat Prayer

Help us to be kind,
Help us to be good,
Help us to stand tall,
And do the things we should. Amen.

The Meerkat Song

We are Meerkats,
We stand tall.
It doesn’t really matter,
That we are still small.
We try our best,
Just like the rest,
Cause we are the
Meerkats!

Membership Badge

To earn the Membership Badge, a Meerkat must know important personal details and be able to say the Meerkat Promise and Law.

Membership Requirement
Know their name, including surname
Know their date of birth
Know their parent or guardian’s name and surname
Know their street address
Know their parent or guardian’s telephone or cell number
Say the Meerkat Promise and Law

Advancement Badges

Meerkats progress through three Advancement levels: Bronze Star, Silver Star and Gold Star. Each level encourages participation, learning, service, confidence and personal growth.

Bronze Star	Silver Star	Gold Star
Earn one badge from four different Challenges. Earn two Interest Badges. Attend two different outings, one of which must be with your Den. Say the Meerkat Prayer with others. Show that you are keeping the Meerkat Promise. Hear the story of how Scouting began.	Earn the Bronze Star. Earn an additional badge from each Challenge. Earn three additional Interest Badges. Attend two additional different outings, one of which must be with your Den. Lead the Meerkat Prayer. Show that you are living by your Meerkat Promise. Know when Founder’s Day is and how to be part of it.	Earn the Silver Star. Earn an additional badge from each Challenge. Earn three additional Interest Badges. Earn the Standing Tall Badge. Attend two additional different outings, one of which must be with your Den. Teach a new Meerkat the Meerkat Prayer. Help a new Meerkat live by the Meerkat Promise. Know about the different branches in Scouting and visit the Pack.

Challenge Badge Themes

The Meerkat Trail includes seven themes. Six of these themes include a range of Challenge Badges, while the Spiritual theme is included through the Promise, Law and Prayer.

Theme	Outcome	Challenge Badges
Body and Mind	To introduce the Meerkat to living a healthy and active life.	Healthy Eating Keep Fit Puzzles
Life Skills	To encourage the Meerkat to gain self-confidence and learn life skills.	First Aid Handcraft Safety
Living with Nature	To encourage the Meerkat to learn about and help improve the environment.	Gardening Nature Recycling
ScOUTcraft	To introduce the Meerkat to ScOUTcraft skills.	Adventure Hiking Observer
Service	To encourage the Meerkat to be helpful and take responsibility.	Community Little Helper Standing Tall
Social	To build the Meerkat’s confidence and sense of belonging to their family and community.	Entertaining Proudly South African World Around Us
Spiritual	To reinforce their efforts to Stand Tall.	Know and understand the Meerkat Promise and Law Know and understand the Meerkat Prayer

Burrowing Up Badge

The Burrowing Up Badge helps prepare a Meerkat for the next step in their Scouting adventure: moving up to Cubs.

A Meerkat may begin working on the Burrowing Up Badge six weeks before their seventh birthday. After turning seven, they should move up to Cubs as soon as possible, and at most within three months.

Burrowing Up Badge Requirements
Attend at least three formal Pack meetings.
Be introduced to your future Sixer and Second.
Know and understand the Cub Law, Promise and Motto.
Listen to the story of Mowgli’s brothers.
Listen to the story of Lord Baden-Powell and how Cubbing started.
Demonstrate the Cub Salute, Left Handshake and Grand Howl, and know when they are used.

Interest Badges

Interest Badges help Meerkats develop and practise skills in specific areas while exploring new hobbies and interests.

Bling
Bug Hunter
Cell Phone
Computer
Collector
Cooking
Eco-Collector
Eco-Warrior
Family Heritage
Hobbies
Horse Riding
Inventor
Little Camper
Little Frog Blue
Little Frog Silver
Little Frog Gold
Musician
My Animals & Pets
My Wheels
Numbers
Out of the Box
Performer
Pollution Pirate
Raft Builder
Reading
Religion
Scientist
Seasons
Sewing
Sleepover
Sports
Treasure Keeper

Special Badges

Special Badge
Attendance
Recruiter

Stand Tall, Try Your Best, and Begin the Adventure

Through badges, outings, activities and service, Meerkats learn to grow in confidence, kindness, responsibility and courage. The Meerkat Trail is the beginning of an exciting Scouting journey.