FAQ

Requests and questions have been coming in. Here’s our frequently asked questions (FAQ). It is a work in progress. Visit Scribd or Google Documents for the next update of the FAQ in a printable PDF. Feel free to ask any questions not found here so we can include them.

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Can I still earn <name> badge?

All badges can be earned any time they are released to the public. When a badge is released, not only have all the steps been approved, but all graphics have been prepared and are ready to be shipped.

Are only Girl Scout volunteers able to earn these badges?

While we’re coming at this from a Girl Scout viewpoint, we do not limit earning badges. Working with youth is a challenge most days. When you’re trying to learn new things as well, it can become overwhelming. If a badge program coincides with your programming choices, it is a great opportunity for adults to learn something new and add to their program.

We would love Boy Scouts, Guides, homeschoolers, after school providers and any adult working with youth to utilize AEP as a resource for their programming.

If you’re an adult who just thinks it would be fun to try a badge like you did when you were a kid, feel free to join us! You don’t have to work with kids. You may need to adjust the steps a little, though.

How do I get a badge?

You’ll need to e-mail larajla@gmail.com and let her know which badge program you’ve worked on, how many hours you spent and how you’d like your name to appear on the certificate. In return, you’ll receive three items — a 3″ x 3″ JPG that you can use (via the AEP_Awards badge) to create your own insignia, a Web Button you can place on your own blog / page and a certificate PDF you can present to your organization or keep for your own records.

At this time, we do not have badges you can purchase.

Do I need to prove that I’ve spent time to earn a badge?

We trust you. If you say you’ve done the time, we’ll provide the badge items.

We ask for the number of hours as the background color on the badge graphics changes to reflect the amount of work you’ve done. You can see a sample of these in our first newsletter.

We also would like to have an idea of what you did so we can review that information when we update the badge program.

What does it cost?

The AEP is designed to be free. All badge programs and badges are provided at no charge. If we add printed items, you will have a choice to purchase them. However, improving yourself is more important to us.

Do I need the supplemental files?

If you understand the steps in the program, you may choose not to use the supplemental files.

Supplemental files are provided to help clarify steps and give additional information to help eanr a badge program. Not all badge programs have them.

Do you have a list of badges that are going to be released?

Badges are being developed and adjusted all the time. Sometimes, one will be held back from release because we’re not comfortable with the steps or we’ll slide one in because we’re working on something for our girls and it’s easier to write it as we’re researching.

If we have a couple ready that we know will be released, those are noted in the Weekly Updates from the Yahoo! group or on the announcement blog.

I saw something you missed. How can I let you know?

Feel free to leave comments on the blog about what you did, what you liked / didn’t like, how it could be improved, links that are no longer active and any other information below the specific badge program. It helps us identify issues with the badge program.

To make it easier to find a badge program, stop by our Squidoo lens for a list or look here for a list sorted alphabetically, categorically and by release date. The release date is when either the badge was first released or has been reviewed / updated for accuracy.

You can also e-mail any adjustments you’d like to see to larajla@gmail.com if you’d rather not post to the blog. Please include the badge program name.

When will badges be updated?

Badges will be updated one year after initial release, then on an “as needed” basis. We want to make sure the links are still valid and the steps are still relevant.

Are you going to have badges to purchase?

At this time, we do not. If you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them.

I have some suggestions / requests, where do I send them?

You can send them to the Yahoo! group, larajla@gmail.com or post on the blog.

Where do I get direction on writing badge programs?

AEP_Innovator outlines the steps for creating badge programs for the AEP.

Can I share the badge programs with other adults?

We love sharing. You can send the PDFs, links or even print out information to do local trainings. We just ask that you let them know where you received the information so your participants can find additional badge programs.