Rebel Badge Book - FAQs
Q - How does Rebel Badge Book work?
A - First you will need a copy of the badge book. It contains syllabuses for 52 different badges, which you can complete in any order. Any time you finish a badge you can celebrate with either a sticker, or a fabric patch, or both!
Q - Do I have to do every badge?
A - No, not at all - it’s totally up to you! There are likely to be ones which are easily in your skillset, others you may want to learn a new skill for, and some you’re not interested in - that’s fine!
Q - Can I see the inside of the book?
A - To be honest, the 52 badges are so diverse that it’s quite hard to represent the whole book with one or two pages, however if you go to our Blog, you can see examples of the Monthly and Quarterly Challenges which we run in the Facebook Group. These should give you an idea of the level of challenge of the badges. On the About Page of this website you can see the full list of the 52 original badges and 52 badges from Volume Two. There are also videos of the inside of the book on our Instagram @rebelbadgebook and on our Facebook Page.
Q - Where can I read reviews of the book?
A - Click here!
Q - How long does it take to complete a badge?
A - That totally depends on both you, and the badge. Some are specifically designed to take 3-6 months, others can be done in as little as a day if you want.
Q - Can I take longer than a specified time limit to complete a badge?
A - Yes - I just created time limits for some so people don’t rush them (and do at least 3-6 months of a specific activity) and so that people don’t backdate too many badges.
Q - Can I backdate a badge?
A - It’s totally up to you - there are some badges like Diarist and Community Service, which it makes sense to claim, if you’ve already kept a diary or volunteered for many years. However, I would suggest trying not to backdate too much, or forcing too much of what you currently do into badges. Rather than modify a badge so you can claim it for something you already do, why not take it as an inspiration to try something new?
Q - What’s the Rebel Badge Journal?
A - The Journal, and the workbook stickers, were specifically designed after the members of our Facebook group - Rebel Badge Club - requested a bespoke bullet-style journal. The journal is totally optional, and designed for anyone who doesn’t want to write or stick stickers in their Badge Book. You don’t need a journal to be a part of Rebel Badge Club, but you will need a copy of Rebel Badge Book.
Q - Do I need to send you my work when I complete a badge?
A - No, you’re all adults and I trust you! However you may want to come and join our Facebook group for accountability and support. There is also a ‘Spoonie Rebel’ group for neuro-divergent and disabled Rebels.
Q - I need to amend a badge because of medical reasons
A - That’s absolutely fine - it should be a personal challenge, and any changes should be in the spirit of the badge - for instance you should not claim the Runner badge by walking if you are able to run, but just don’t want to. (NB - There is also a Walker badge). Remember the badges are designed for adults, and are designed to take a reasonable amount of time, so don’t make things too easy on yourself! The Spoonie Rebel group is specifically designed for people to discuss medical adaptations.
Q - What are the Challenge Badges?
A - The Challenge Badges are additional badges not found in the badge book. There are Quarterly Challenges (release every 3 months and designed to give you a guide of what badges to focus on for that season) and specific monthly challenges - for example the Rebel Health Check and Rebel with a Cause, which are designed to be completed in a couple of weeks. Full details of all Challenge Badges can be found on individual blog posts.
Examples of monthly challenges include Rebel with a Cause (charity fundraising) in June, an annual Health Check badge in July, the annual Scavenger Hunt in August, and the Food Bank Challenge in September. Badge orders for these challenges are limited so it’s suggested you order the badge before starting a challenge to avoid disappointment. A subscription option is also available on the shop, recurring every 3 months to guarantee you get all the monthly and quarterly limited editions.
Q - What should I do with the stickers and badges?
A - Some people put the stickers in the Journal, or the Badgebook (both have badge trackers at the back). Some people add them to notebooks. The fabric badges can be sewn on our sweaters, or the tote bags, or they can be added to camp blankets, pinned onto cork boards, or displayed on wall hangings - totally up to you! Recently we also lauched a Wall Chart style poster where you can display all the stickers from each volume of the book.
Q - Will there be another Volume of the Badge Book?
A - Volume Two launched in November 2022. It is designed as a sequel to Volume One, with many of the badges following on from those in the blue book - so if you purchase only one book, buy the blue one first. If there is enough interest, a third volume may be released in future, but this will not be until at least 2024 now.
Q - What are the local Rebellions?
A - Rebellions are local groups of Rebels designed to give you an opportunity to meet others doing the badges in person. There are links on Facebook to local groups. Remember to meet in a public place - you are meeting with strangers.
Q - Does Rebel Badge Club run events?
A - Yes, our first Rebel Summer Camp took place in the UK this summer. Full details on the shop and blog about next year’s event.
Every 2-3 months we are running single day Meet Ups around the UK. Locations have been determined according to demand for tickets within the group, and assuming people will travel up to 3 hours to attend.
We also run two Rebel Fests each year - they are virtual events run over a weekend on Zoom. There are classes, make-along activities, talks, Q&As and live meet ups. The events run in June and December.
Q - I don’t live in the UK, can I take part in Rebel Badge Club?
A - Yes of course, we have Rebels all over the world. The postage just costs a bit more when sending packages abroad. I run the shop from Rebel HQ in Berkshire, England.
Q - Can I order badges before I complete them?
A - Yes - there is a special 52 badge package for Rebels who live abroad and want to save on postage. You can also save money by ordering badges in batches of five or ten, it’s not a problem to pre-order badges you’re working on.
Q - Do I get certificates with badges?
A - Previously I gave out free certificates with the badges, but the sheer size of the club, and extra administration keeping up with stock has meant that certificates are now an additional extra, which you can purchase for 25p. Please note, you cannot buy the certificates on their own - they are not designed as an alternative to the badges. Currently there are only certificates for the merit badges in Volume One - if you request one for a Challenge badge or a badge from Volume Two, you will be sent a blank card to add a sticker to yourself.
Q - What is Rebel Council?
A - Rebel Council is our steering committee - a new subscription based group of the keenest Rebels, who will help me create new badges, decide when and where events will happen, and have direct input into the future of Rebel Badge Club. You can sign up on the shop, and then join our members only Facebook group.
Q - What are the Maverick Awards?
A - Designed at the request of Facebook group members, and inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, which is a series of awards for children in Commonwealth countries, the Maverick Awards are a three tiered system of more complex, long term awards, which will test Rebels. These awards will be assessed over Zoom and presented in person. More details available on the blog and in the Facebook group.
Q - What is a Patrol?
A - A sub group, used to divide Rebels up at events, but also used to divide the Club into five groups for the Rebel Cup. The Patrols are named after five famous Rebels.
Q - How do I join a Patrol?
A - It depends what you want to do. You can simply join a Patrol by buying your chosen badge or merch. However, if you’d like to take part in the Rebel Cup, you log which Patrol you are in on the monthly form when you submit your points. This is how you officially ‘join’. You can’t change patrol again until January. If you are joining the Cup late in 2023, please don’t join Bader or Mercury as those two Patrols now have too many members.
In 2024, joining Patrols will be more structured to ensure even numbers between the Patrols.
Q - What is the Rebel Cup?
A - An annual competition run in the Facebook group to encourage you to complete badges, get more involved with the Club and just have a bit more fun! Each month you score points by completing badges, attending events, and by completing silly monthly tasks.
Q - What is the Rebel Yearbook?
A - Every year, we print a Yearbook, where Rebels submit their own pages. The Yearbook is made up of the syllabuses for that year’s limited edition badges (Monthly and Quarterly), photos from events, the Cup challenges, and then A5 feature pages made by every Rebel who purchases a copy of the book, summarising their year.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact Charly via Rebel Badge Book social media on Instagram or Facebook.