You asked, I’ve answered!
General
Q - I’m based in Europe – can I still get involved?
A – YES, it’s just a bit more complicated than it used to be! European tariffs have gone crazy (£3 per item, plus a £2 processing fee from Royal Mail) so I switched European shipping off the website. If you’re based in Europe and want something from the Rebel store, email me at help@rebelbadgestore.com and I will try to arrange an alternative shipping method.
Badges
Q - Why are some old syllabuses no longer on the Noticeboard?
A – The badges are designed as a reward for completing syllabuses, so with limited edition badges, when the badge sells out the syllabus gets removed from the Noticeboard.
Q – Do the larger badges have iron-on backing?
A – No. All the merit badges have an iron-on backing, however when we started making larger badges, which are more expensive, I did a poll to see how many Rebels use the iron on backing, and most people sewed them, so I decided to avoid further expense. You can use fabric glue if you prefer not to sew them.
Q - Can patches be earned across all the books?
Yes, the section patches can be earned across three books – part of the reason for this was that Spoonie Rebels found the Wild Section of the first book really hard, so I made some more accessible badges in Volume Two. It is mentioned in the introductions of the later books.
Q – How do Rebellion Pennants work?
A – The syllabuses for the Rebellion Pennants can be found in Book Three. They were created to give Rebellions some inspiration to make meet ups a bit more fun, and also to help you tick of some badge clauses for other badges too. The pennants can be completed by online and local Rebellions. If you are a local Rebellion – e.g. a UK county – we ask that you do at least two of the meet ups in real life, as the pennants are there to encourage you to meet up in person. This obviously isn’t possible for groups such as those which span an entire country and only ever meet up online. For each Pennant you need to complete at least six of the activities from the list. As a Rebellion, you can start claiming the pennants once your Rebellion has hit six of the listed of activities, but as an individual, you’re only eligible for one of the badges once you’ve done six, so most Rebellions are likely to run many more than six activities from the list, or to repeat activities – such as hosting a book club for a different book. You can do pennants with multiple Rebellions, BUT you must do each whole pennant with one Rebellion – because it’s the Rebellion who finishes the pennant first – not an individual – so you can’t do 3 activities with one County, 3 with a neighbouring County, and then claim the badge before either Rebellion has completed the pennants.
Q - Why has the Bronze Maverick changed with regards to debt and mental health challenges?
A - The Maverick Awards have now been running since June 2022, and I’ve definitely learned a lot as the Awards have progressed. They began because multiple Rebels mentioned regretting that they had never been able to do the Duke of Edinburgh Awards as children, so I began creating a set of Awards for adults, with a view that they were as inclusive as possible, as I know a large proportion of the Rebel Community is disabled. As a result I avoided the expedition clauses from D of E for the Bronze level, and replaced it with a Challenge. That Challenge was designed to be a personal one – however as the Awards have expanded and we now have a panel of Rebel assessors helping, we’ve realised that there are certain things we really shouldn’t be assessing. Mental Health is one of those things – any challenges linked to mental health are off the table, due to the potential ramifications of telling someone they have ‘failed’ at something tied to their mental health. Weight loss is something we also don’t feel comfortable assessing, as we have no means of assessing if you are achieving it in a healthy manner – and it isn’t for us to say what is a good weight etc. Debt is another area which we have realised it’s too complicated to assess, because we aren’t financial advisors. For example someone cleared a loan by then accruing additional credit card debt, which didn’t really feel like a sensible option, or something we should be assessing.
Like many parts of Rebel, we only recognise something needs further clarification when hundreds of humans start interpreting the same thing, and so the rule of thumb we use for the Challenge section of the Bronze Award is ‘something that is universally recognised as a challenge, and that you would shout about on social media upon completion’ – e.g. climbing a mountain, running a half marathon, writing a book, learning to drive.
Q - If a page doesn’t say how many clauses you have to do, does that mean you have to do all of them?
A – Yes – this is under the ‘How to Use this book’ section.
Q – Will any sold out limited edition badges ever return?
A – We won’t ever do re-runs of old badges, partly because I think it’s quite nice for the early members to have badges which only 100 were ever made of. I used to have a set of every badge, and ended up giving some away to early members, and I love seeing a badge I’d forgotten on someone’s jumper or bag at events!
However, if there’s a badge which was very popular – such as World Book Day – you’ll likely see it return again, so you won’t miss out on doing the challenges.
The best way to get badges to return is to join the Council and let me know what old badges you’d like to see come back.
Q – Why don’t you sell the Monthly stickers on their own?
A – The monthly challenges are shared for free in the Facebook group and on the Noticeboard (and many people use those resources without ever buying badges)
Unlike the merit badges, where you’ve paid for the book of syllabuses, and that funds the costs that go into creating them, with the monthly badges, they are provided as a free resource, with the hope that everyone who chooses to do them, then pays for a badge to keep them existing. This is part of the reason the subscription is available at a significant discount – the subscription plan funds the costs behind the scenes that go into the creation of the badges – including Christian’s time designing them.
In order to fairly divide those costs with those who only want stickers, the stickers would need to be sold at such a marked up cost, that it would seem unreasonable.
At present the stickers are an added bonus, only guaranteed if you have the subscription – as they are provided for free, and are always a limited run, as the cost of the stickers constantly increases. We are also a badge club – it’s literally our name – so I stand by the decision that the monthly challenges are fabric badges.
Q – What are the Monthly, Quarterly and Annual badges? I’m confused.
A – In the main Facebook group, when you join, the group suggests reading the Guides tab.
That tab is always available in the group, and contains some summaries of all the different parts of Rebel. I would suggest taking half an hour to have a read through, as that should make everything clearer. The pinned / featured posts section of the main Facebook group also always contains all the important updates, as does the Noticeboard page of the website.
But in short - Monthly badges are new challenges that are easier than Merit badges. They are released about a week before the start of the new month, and the topics change every month - some are for national days, some line up with seasons, some are just regular silly fun. They are limited edition badges so we recommend buying the badge before you start to avoid disappointment as some sell out quickly. Quarterly badges have been designed to help you choose which merit badges to do next - though this format may change next year. Again they are in the pinned posts o the Facebook group and on the Noticeboard. Annual badges are annual challenges - e.g. reading 52 books in a year, counting your time outside all year, exercising more - each badge has a description with it on the Annual badges page of the shop.
If in doubt about a specific badge you can ask in the Rebels Class 2026 / 2027 Facebook group, or email the help @ email.
Books
Q – Is there going to be a Book Four?
A – LOTS of you have asked this – so I will look at the viability of creating one in the next year. There would need to be enough new badges to justify it, though a couple of people have requested Expert Level badges after Advanced for some of the most popular badges.
Q – Could the books be spiral bound?
A – Personally I find that spiral bound books fall apart far too easily! To be honest, our publisher doesn’t offer them as an option. However I will do some research to see if I can find an alternative publisher who can make binder friendly card versions of the books – a bit like old school Filofaxes.
Q - Will Book Three ever come out as an e-book?
A – To be completely honest this is something which has been on my To Do List for the last two years. It’s just me, and there’s lots going on, so I can’t get round to everything. Kindle royalties for authors are really small, and I’m not a huge fan of Amazon, so I have definitely delayed on prioritising it. However I need to make updates to all three books so when I publish Edition Two of Book Three, I will try my best to create an e-book at the same time.
Groups
Q – Do Rainbow Rebels still exist?
A – Yes, and nothing about this has ever changed! Rainbow Rebels are our LGBTQ+ members. We don’t have a Facebook group because sexuality and gender don’t have anything to do with the badge syllabuses (which is the purpose of all our online groups) and because we realised early on that probably over 50% of all Rebels would count as Rainbow Rebels – so there is no need for a specific ‘safe space’.
That said – Rainbow Rebels have meet ups – in person at Camp and the Retreat – and online at Rebel Fest twice a year. So if you’d like to make some new friends, you’re welcome to attend these break out rooms at the events.
The Rainbow Rebel badges and t-shirts have never changed (we just had to rename the t-shirts to Rebel Pride because a company called Rainbow Rebels threatened me with legal action!)
Q – Will we stay on Facebook?
A – Yes, for now – I know lots of people don’t like Meta, but the reality is the groups format works pretty well for everything we do, and if we migrated elsewhere we’d lose so many members. I personally spend at least 20 hours a week on Facebook, if not more, and simply don’t have the time to manage multiple platforms. A number of Rebels who don’t like Facebook just have a basic profile that they only use for the Rebel groups.
If you’re not on the Facebook groups, the Newsletter is designed to contain all the most important updates, however our virtual At Home events – often contain a large amount of activity on Facebook.
Q – What is the Spoonie group?
A – It’s a group that was created by Rebels with disabilities and neurodiversity very early on in the club’s existence. The idea is to discuss medical modifications for clauses, linked to disability or neurodiversity, because there are such a range that we can’t simply create one book with modifications to clauses for all conditions.
If you need help modifying a badge because of a medical condition, this is the best place to go. (We ask that people don’t modify badges for non-medical reasons in the main group because it really confuses people – and let’s be honest – with 7000 of us, we could easily create 7000 different versions of every single badge!)
Q – Can I just post one clause of a badge – e.g. a Scavenger Hunt badge?
A – The main Facebook group is designed to inspire others with your badgework. As we’ve grown in size, with almost 7000 active members, we recommend posting when you finish a badge – otherwise there would just be too many posts. However if you’ve done something really remarkable that you really think needs to be shared on its own, the moderator team won’t stop you. With the Scavenger Hunt badge we ask that people only share their finds when they have finished – partly because it has become too spammy in the past with hundreds of posts every day, and partly because some of the finds are designed to be tricky and if someone shares how to find one early in the month, it makes it too easy for everyone else!
Q – Can I ask the Facebook group for help?
A – YES! That’s part of the reason they exist! Just work out what help you need first to make sure you’re in the right group – e.g.
If you need help linked to a disability or neurodiversity → head to the Spoonie Rebel Group
If you want to share resources for activities → head to the Rebel Swaps Group
If you want a buddy → head to the Rebel Pen Pals Group
If you are brand new and have lots of questions → head to the Class of 2026 (soon to become 2027) group!
Q - Can I post badgework if I’m not part of a group?
A – You don’t need to be in a local Rebellion to post badgework – but you will need to be in the main Facebook group in order to share badgework (that’s what that specific group is designed for).
If you don’t want to join a Facebook group, you can still do the badges – over 20,000 worldwide do them OFF Facebook, on their own – that was how the book was originally designed to be done!
Q - I struggle to find pinned posts
A – The posts should appear Featured at the top of the groups, and also if you click the Featured tab. They contain things like the Monthly badges and major updates. You can also find new badges on the Noticeboard page of the website, and updates in the Newsletter, which you can sign up to from the website.
Q - Do I have to use the FB groups / engage with the community?
A – Not at all. Lots of people do the badges outside of Facebook – they were created expecting most people to do things solo.
There are also lots of ‘lurkers’ who don’t engage on the Facebook group but still use it for notifications etc.
Q – I worry I miss stuff as there is lots going on – what should I do?
A – Definitely sign up to the Newsletter – the sign up is on the front page of the Rebel Store at the bottom. I send one round-up email every month.
Check the Featured posts regularly, and if in doubt – click my name (Charly Lester) on the main Facebook group and that will show you all of my recent posts – which should include almost all of the important updates from the group.
Q - I’d like to buddy up with someone for Advanced Community – can I join the newbie group?
A – Yes, you can come and join the newbie group as a helper, or you can post in the PenPals group asking if any new Rebels would like help.
Q - What is Rebel Readers?
A – An online book club, where Rebels read a different book each month and meet up online at the end of the month to discuss it.
Q - If I am new in 2026 can I still join the Class of 2027 group when it’s created?
A – Yes. Last year we just turned the 2025 group into the 2026 one, but this time we will create a new group and anyone who joined in 2026 and still wants help can come and join the 2027 one.
Q - Can I share badgework on Facebook if I’m not playing the Cup?
A – Yes definitely – only about 500 Rebels play the Cup each year (the reason they post their team name is so Mods who are in their Patrol don’t give their own Patrol bonus points).
Q - Where do I find the free digital copies of the magazines?
A – In the Featured / Pinned posts at the top of the main Facebook group.
Q – Where can I find my local Rebellion?
A – If you check the featured posts in the main group, there are a couple of pinned lists of Facebook links. As a rule of thumb, if you are UK based ‘The COUNTYNAME Rebellion’ format should bring up your local group, but we don’t yet cover every county. Abroad, the groups span larger areas – such as States in the US as we have less Rebels overseas.
Q - Why do you have to pay to be in the Council?
A - Early on I used to ask questions about how the Club should be run in the main Facebook group, but I realised there were lots of people in that group who had never been my customer. Some didn’t even own a badgebook. Often the most vocal people really weren’t Rebels, they were just lurkers - so I created the Council as a way to make sure I was listening to my most invested and active members - and they have become the ones who shape the Club. The cost is £5 plus VAT (£1) . After tax, this works out as about £250 a month, which I use to cover the time I spend working in all the free Facebook groups every month - so in part the Council is the reason most of the free sections of the club can still exist. In return, the Council members get a free badge, a membership card, a free physical copy of Renegade every three months, first access to limited edition merchandise, discounts, their own badges and stash and socials.
Events
Q – What are the different events you do?
A – We now have a whole range of different events that we run ….
1) Meet Ups – these were the first type of event. We currently run three a year – two in Reading and one in Stockport. We have up to 100 Rebels attending, split into 5 Patrols. You rotate around 5 different activities – normally a mix of cooking, crafts, taught classes on everything from pet first aid to improv comedy, dance classes, patrol challenges such as geocaching and chocolate sculpture, and much more. We have had 16 of these events so far, and I try to vary the activities as much as I can. The venues are close to railway stations, and as accessible as I can find. Most people attend solo – it’s a great way to make some new friends, and I try to have at least two of the activities each time that can directly count for badge clauses. Each event starts with an optional local parkrun, and ends with an optional informal meal for those staying in the area.
2) Summer Camp – every two years we run a 3 day, 3 night summer camp at a Scouting or Guiding campsite. Normally we have exclusive hire, however next year because Foxlease is so large, we just have an exclusive area and all the buildings in our hire. You complete 5 activities each day (mainly adventurous ones) with a Patrol of up to 12 others, with evening entertainment. Indoor accommodation is available. Evening entertainment includes sing along movies, bingo, quizzes, murder mysteries.
3) Rebel Retreat – now alternating with Camp – this 2 day, 3 night event is predominantly camping though there is some indoor accommodation on site. More chilled than Summer Camp – there are no Patrols – you choose your schedule, signing up for taught classes like yoga, dance, massage, poetry, and talks the night before, and mixing them with self-run crafts which you sign out boxes for during the day. Evening entertainment includes silent disco and similar activities to Summer Camp.
4) City Games – we meet at 11am on the streets of a city (normally with an optional parkrun beforehand for the super fit!). Teams of 4 can be prebooked by you, or you sign up solo and I assign you to a team based on how active and competitive you want to be. You are given themed challenges all day which involve visiting different parts of the city, interacting with characters, completing weird and wonderful challenges, and collecting items, points or cash. The game finishes at 6pm, and there is normally an option of an informal dinner afterwards. Lots of Rebels sign up solo or in pairs with family members – you can form teams with partners, family members etc – you don’t all have to have a Rebel badge book to take part in events. There is normally a trophy or individual prizes for the winning team.
5) Rebel Fest – this is a virtual weekend which takes place over Zoom. Two full days of activities you can dip in and out of, or attend fully. The event is a mix of talks, make-alongs, cook-alongs, games, and break out rooms with other Rebels. Around 200 Rebels attend each event, and it has become the birthplace of many of the silly Rebel jokes, mainly from the large number of people who attend. The events were created to involve Rebels from abroad who can’t attend the in person events, though in reality over 75% of attendees are still from the UK.
6) Residential Weekends – we started running residential game weekends a few years ago with our version of the game Traitors. Since then we have run games inspired by TaskMaster and Crystal Maze, and a residential Chocolate Factory where Rebels completed their entrepreneur badge. Next year we have two residentials at Youth Hostels – a second instalment of Rebel Maze, and a weekend of games inspired by 90s kids TV shows.
7) Virtual Games – these have recently started at the request of Rebels unable to attend in person events. We did a 3 month long treasure hunt over the summer and this November we are playing RebelMaster at Home. There will be a festive Treasure Hunt in January to extend the holiday period. More details coming soon.
Q - Why are there more events in the South of England than the North?
A – Partly because they are cheaper for me to run them – I live in the South, and so I don’t have to pay for accommodation for the weekend for me and my dogs if I run an event within driving distance of my house. As a result I don’t have to add these additional expenses into the costs of the tickets.
And partly because we get FAR more attendees down South. Most of the Northern events still only happen because 25-50% of the Rebels attending are driving up from the South. So if you are based up North please come to all the events that take place north of Birmingham in order to keep them happening, and inspire me to run more!
Q - Do I have to pay for a carer to attend an event?
A – No. If they are simply attending as carer to look after you, and not complete any activities, they can get a free carer ticket to any of the events we run. The only exception to this is Residential events where they are sleeping onsite, in which case they will need to pay for their accommodation, as they will be using a bed which would otherwise be occupied by a paying ticket holder, so that has been factored into the cost of the tickets.
We have had carers at lots of the events. We also have lots of carers who also attend the event and get a ticket, so they can take part in activities whilst caring for a family member etc – it’s completely up to the individual.
Q – Why can’t we run local Rebellion activities on the days when there are national events?
A – Simple answer – because some really active Rebels want to attend everything, so it’s not fair on them having to choose.
More lengthy answer – most local Rebellions run two events maximum a month, so it’s easy to organise these around the dates we have national events – because the national ones cover one weekend max a month, and I post the dates at least a year in advance. If your Rebellion runs more than that, that’s great, but please don’t class them with the national events – you still have around 28 days each month you can use instead!
In reality – if there’s a specific event that is only happening on one day, we aren’t stopping you going to it! Just don’t run it as a Rebel event, and don’t advertise it in the local Rebellion group. You can go with friends instead. The local Rebellion groups only exist because of the main club. They are free groups, and we don’t ask for any capitation (unlike Guiding or Scouting).
The club itself exists in part because of the Rebels paying to attend the national events, so please respect that so the Local Rebellions (and many of the other bonus free areas of the Club) can continue to be completely free.
Q - Where can I find details of the events if I’m not on Facebook?
A – There are three events tabs on the shop
1) Rebel Summer Camp 2027 – this is our next big camp
2) Rebel Retreat 2028 – the retreat alternates with camp every other year
3) Events – this has tickets for all the events coming up
The Newsletter contains a calendar of events, and details of the ones coming up next, however if you can’t find enough information about a specific event in either the Newsletter or on the ticket pages, feel free to email the help@ email.