Maverick Awards FAQs
Over 300 of you have signed up to do your Bronze Maverick which is brilliant news! The Awards are designed as an ‘adult Duke of Edinburgh’ scheme - after multiple Rebels requested something similar for Rebels.
First off - check the blog post with the Bronze Maverick Syllabus on - this tells you everything you need to do to complete the award.
Here are some FAQs to help you -
Q - Who decides what I do for each part of the Award?
A - You do - however when choosing activities and projects, please look carefully at the questions the book asks you, and make sure you will be able to answer those questions easily. The questions in the book form the basis of how the badge will be assessed. Some sections require a presentation - so you need to choose a project or skill which you can present in some way.
Q - Is there a special Facebook Group for Mavericks?
A - Yes! HERE! Please only join once you’ve signed up for the Maverick (you will be asked your shop order number to join). The date you pay the admin fee on the shop is your start date for the Award programme - activities need to take place from that date onwards.
Q - Can I do different types of volunteer work for My Community?
A - Yes - just record all the times and dates in your logbook and explain what you did. Ideally include at least one regular voluntary activity. The 30 hours is just a minimum, and you should be doing voluntary work across the entire six month period (so at least one hour a week ideally). Your volunteer work should be structured - for an organisation, charity or specific project.
Q - What falls under My Beliefs?
A - This can be a religious belief, something environmental like sustainability or veganism, a charitable cause, or a political or social stance. Choose something you believe strongly in and create a PROJECT linked to it - the project is the key part of this clause.
Q - What kinds of things count as Skills?
A - Check the syllabus - there are lots of different examples - just make sure you choose something where you can demonstrate progress. You choose how to present your progress over the period.
Q- I already planned My Adventure before signing up to the award, but I haven’t gone on it. Can it still count?
A - Yes, provided it meets the rest of the criteria - i.e. you have done the planning and will execute it. It needs to be FOR YOU.
Q - Can I take kids on My Adventure?
A - Yes, if you have to! - I don’t want to cause childcare issues for you if you have to - however the trip should be about you, not one designed for the kids (e.g. a Scout Camp or a Brownie Pack Holiday).
Q - What kind of things can I do for My Challenge?
A - Think about 'life challenges’ - things which people work towards. That might be paying off a debt, saving a house deposit, running a marathon, doing a BSL qualification, passing your driving test, or learning to swim 25 metres (just examples!). The key here is that it needs to be MEASURABLE - and ideally something you can COMPLETE. So set yourself a realistic target, which is easy to measure, and has a clear completion goal. The goal needs to be something which someone untrained can recognise and understand as completed. Please note - I am unable to assess goals linked to mental health because I am not qualified in that area, and I would also hate for someone’s mental health to be affected adversely by the experience - e.g. not reaching their goal.
A good measure if your Challenge is significant enough is - is it something that would become a marker in your life? For example - I can tell you what year I passed my driving test, completed the Three Peaks Challenge, ran my first marathon, saved my house deposit etc. Additionally - is it something which you would shout about on social media - and others would appreciate it as a clear achievement?
The more definite your challenge - such as passing a qualification, or completing a specific distance - the easier it is for me to assess and pass you. Applying SMART principles to your challenge will really help.
Q - How long should the Award take me?
A - At least six months. There is no end limit however I suggest setting yourself the target of completing the Bronze Award in 12 months to keep momentum going.
Q - How is the Award assessed?
A - When you sign up you are sent a log book. When you have finished, complete the logbook and send it back me (Charly). I will then arrange a Zoom call where you can share your presentations with me, and I will ask you questions about all 5 areas of the Award. Calls tend to be on Sunday afternoons, UK time.
Q - What format should my presentations be in?
A - Any you like, but 15 minutes maximum for the two presentations combined. You need to be able to present over a Zoom call so bear that in mind when creating them. NB - A single photo is not a sufficient presentation. If you have not completed the award or do not put enough work into the presentations, you may be asked to go away and redo sections.
Your presentation for your Skill should showcase how your skill has developed over the six month period. Record videos, take photos - the clearly the assessor can understand your progression the better.
Q - How will my Award be presented?
UK Presentations will be at Meet Ups and Summer Camp. They are currently presented by Charly at the end of the day. Attendance is not mandatory though and you can opt to simply be sent your award. Rebels overseas can have the award presented over Zoom at Rebel Fest or wait to attend a UK event in person ;)
Q - What does my admin fee cover?
A - Your logbook, cost of postage to anywhere in the world, the administration and time assessing your finished Award, and the opportunity to attend an Awards ceremony. (The ceremony will take place at the end of ticketed events so you do not have to buy a ticket to just attend the ceremony)
Q - How do I claim the Award?
A - Once you have been assessed and passed, you will be eligible to buy metal and fabric awards on the Rebel website. Only assessed Rebels will be able to purchase these badges. A certificate is also included in the bundle which will be awarded to you in person where possible.
Unfortunately the fabric pins are not available on their own because the metal badges are engraved with unique numbers, and I do not wish to be left with random numbered metal pins! Please note, the cost of the bundle takes into consideration the time spent personalising and presenting your award, and the cost of pre-ordering 200 pins, badges and certificates so that the award itself can exist.
Q - Do I need to do Bronze before I can start Silver?
Yes - you need to have been assessed and passed before starting Silver.
Q - Can I adapt the Bronze Award?
No. The only adaptation allowed is for Rebels who cannot sleep away from their own home for medical reasons. This is noted in the Award criteria.