Charting Scoutcraft Badge

The Charting Scoutcraft Badge introduces you to the exciting world of marine navigation. You will learn to use a nautical chart and compass, work with bearings and magnetic variation, interpret chart symbols and depths, identify hazards, and plan a voyage. Through practical chartwork and a realistic navigation challenge, you will develop the skills to think and act like a navigator and build a foundation for more advanced marine navigation.

Badge Requirements

Your Chart and Compass
1. Describe what a nautical chart is, identify how it differs from a map, and identify information it provides to help a navigator plan and safely complete a voyage.
2. Identify at least two types of compasses used in marine navigation and describe how a magnetic compass works.
3. Demonstrate how to correctly use, care for and handle a magnetic compass.
4. Identify at least three factors that can affect compass accuracy and demonstrate how to avoid or minimise these errors.
Find Your Direction
1. Identify True North, Magnetic North and Grid North, where a grid is shown on the chart, and demonstrate how they differ.
2. Using a suitable nautical chart and magnetic compass, identify True North, Magnetic North and Grid North, where applicable, on the chart and indicate the direction of each in the surrounding environment.
3. Describe magnetic variation and demonstrate how it affects the relationship between true and magnetic bearings.
4. Locate the variation information on a nautical chart, determine the current magnetic variation, and use it to convert a given true bearing to a magnetic bearing and a magnetic bearing to a true bearing.
Navigate with Bearings
1. Using a suitable nautical chart and compass, determine the bearing between two identified chart features.
2. Calculate a reciprocal bearing and use it to check your direction or navigate towards a known position.
3. Using bearings and identified chart features, determine the approximate position of a vessel by the cross-bearings method.
4. Complete a chart-based cross-bearings exercise supplied by the Examiner to demonstrate the ability to determine the approximate position of a vessel.
Read the Chart
Using a suitable nautical chart supplied by the Examiner, demonstrate your ability to use a nautical chart to:
1. Identify common chart symbols and explain what they represent, including appropriate IALA Region B navigation marks.
2. Identify the scale of a nautical chart and use it to measure the distance between two points, using dividers or another suitable method.
3. Use the latitude scale to determine the distance between two points in nautical miles.
4. Identify depth contours and soundings and use them to recognise shallow and deeper water and significant seabed features.
5. Identify common navigational hazards and features shown on the chart, such as rocks, shoals, channels, buoys and other aids to navigation.
6. Identify a navigational light on the chart and describe what its light characteristic indicates, using a simple example such as Fl.G.2s5M.
Plan Your Voyage
Using a suitable nautical chart supplied by the Examiner, demonstrate your ability to use the chart to:
1. Plan a short voyage of approximately 5–10 nautical miles between two designated points.
2. Select a suitable route by considering chart features, navigational hazards, channels, depths and other relevant information shown on the chart.
3. Plot at least three and no more than five waypoints along the route.
4. For each leg of the route, determine the bearing, distance and magnetic course.
5. Estimate the time required for each leg using a boat speed supplied by the Examiner.
6. Identify at least one potential navigational hazard along the route and describe how you would avoid it.
7. Prepare a simple route plan for the helm or watchkeeper, showing the waypoints, their coordinates, courses, distances and estimated times. Use a parallel rule or another suitable method to plot the planned courses.
Complete a Navigation Challenge
Using a suitable nautical chart supplied by the Examiner, complete a realistic chart-based navigation scenario between two designated points.
During the challenge, demonstrate your ability to:
1. Orientate the chart correctly and use it to navigate between the designated points.
2. Follow a series of bearings or courses and identify the chart features used to confirm your position and progress.
3. Check and confirm your approximate position at appropriate points during the exercise using the chart, compass and available chart information.
4. Use chart information to identify navigational hazards and make safe navigation decisions.
5. Recognise when you are uncertain of your position or route, and demonstrate how to stop, reassess and correct your navigation.
6. Communicate clear navigational information to a person acting as the helm or watchkeeper.
7. After the exercise, describe one thing you did well and one thing you would do differently on your next navigation exercise.

Recommended Age Range: The Charting Scoutcraft Badge is recommended for Scouts aged 11 to 14 years. It provides an age-appropriate introduction to marine navigation, developing practical skills in chartwork, compass use, bearings, route planning and safe navigation. The badge provides a solid foundation for Scouts who may later progress to the Charting Scout Interest Badge and more advanced marine navigation activities.

Badge Examiner: Training and examination for this badge should be conducted by a suitably qualified individual who has relevant experience or formal training in the specific field of expertise being assessed.

The ideal examiner should be an experienced Troop Scouter, Assistant Troop Scouter, Rover Scouter or other Adult Leader with practical marine navigation experience and competence in nautical chartwork, compass navigation and safe boating practices. Where the badge is assessed through a practical boating activity, the person responsible for the boating activity must hold the appropriate current Water Activity Licence for the activity and class of water being used. Where appropriate, the chartwork and navigation components may be assessed by another suitably competent person. Suitable external examiners may include qualified sailors, boating instructors, marine guides, yacht-club members or experienced navigators.

Note to the Examiner:

The purpose of this badge is to assess the Scout's ability to confidently use a nautical chart and magnetic compass to solve practical marine-navigation problems. The emphasis should be on practical application rather than theoretical knowledge.
Wherever possible, assess requirements through the Scout's practical use of a nautical chart, magnetic compass and appropriate chartwork equipment. Knowledge should normally be assessed through use of the chart and compass rather than through a written or formal oral examination.
Question the Scout to confirm that they understand what they are doing and why, rather than relying on memorisation of definitions, symbols or lists. The Scout must personally complete all practical requirements.
For Requirement 1d, assess the Scout's ability to recognise practical sources of compass error and demonstrate how these can be avoided or minimised, rather than requiring memorisation of an arbitrary list.
For Requirements 3–5, provide suitable nautical charts and realistic chartwork exercises that allow the Scout to apply the required skills. Parallel rules, dividers or other suitable chartwork tools may be used, but assessment should focus on the navigation skill rather than ownership or use of a particular tool.
Requirement 6 – Navigation Challenge should be completed as a realistic chart-based navigation scenario. The Scout must demonstrate the ability to orientate and use the chart, follow bearings or courses, check and confirm their approximate position, identify navigational hazards and make appropriate navigation decisions, recognise uncertainty or an error in their position or planned route, and take appropriate corrective action. The scenario must require the Scout to apply these skills rather than simply describe how they would navigate.
During the Navigation Challenge, assess the Scout's ability to recognise when their position, bearing or planned route is incorrect or uncertain, reassess the information available, and make an appropriate correction. Emphasise sound, accurate and safe navigation decisions rather than expecting perfection.
The chart-based scenario should be realistic and appropriate to the Scout's age and experience but does not require the Scout to operate a boat or be assessed on physical boating or water-safety skills.

Safe From Harm: Whilst completing the requirements for this badge, Scouts must not be placed in hazardous or dangerous situations under any circumstances. All activities must comply with SCOUTS South Africa Safe from Harm framework and be supervised by responsible adults. Participation should offer meaningful learning or service experiences while ensuring the Scout's safety and well-being at all times.

Badge Requirements in printable PDF format

Charting Scoutcraft Badge (PDF)

Next Steps - Where This Badge Leads

Completion of this badge is required for the following Scoutcraft and/or Interest Badges:

Chart Reader Scout Interest Badge

Last Update

September 2026

Explore More Opportunities

My Scout Journey - An overview of your path in Scouting - from joining to earning top awards like the Springbok Award.
Scout Advancement Programme - The core steps Scouts follow to build skills and earn theme badges and advancement badges.
Scoutcraft Badges - Aimed at Scouts 11 to 13. Fun, hands-on badges that build confidence, essential skills, and lay the foundation for Interest Badges.
Scout Interest Badges - Aimed at Scouts 13 and older. Badges that promote personal growth through exploring interests, hobbies, and skills.