Scouting Plan

In Canada, I recommend using the BPSA Scouting Program. However, Scouts Canada, or Girl Guides of Canada also have good programs. Note that both BPSA and Scouts Canada can be co-ed.

For each Age, I've put in recommendations of which badges to work on. Note that your leader may want to do things differently! You may also work on more badges. If you don't join at the earliest age, you will want to try to earn the badges mentioned for earlier ages as well.

Although I am listing badges for each age, for Otters (in BPSA) and Cubs (in SC), the main program badges (paws, or stars) each cover a specific type of activity, like outdoor activities or handicrafts, etc. To keep things balanced, you should do a few activities from each main badge every year.

BPSA (see alternatives below)

Age 5 - Otters

Investiture Badge
Safety Badge

Also:
Plant a tree and look after it for a year for the Green Paw

A Field Trip should occur to go towards the Service Badge

A few nights of camping to go towards the Camping Badge

Age 6 - Otters (Alternatives - Beavers or Sparks)

Blue Paw (Activity)
Red Paw (Helping)
Tan Paw (Handicraft)

Also:
Plant a tree and look after it for a year for the Green Paw if you haven't already

A Field Trip should occur to go towards the Service Badge

A few nights of camping to go towards the Camping Badge

Age 7 - Otters

Green Paw (Outdoors)

Camping Badge
Service Badge

Swimming Otter Badge

Age 8 - Timber Wolves

Investiture Badge

1st Star

Life Skills

- other badges as interested

Age 9 - Timber Wolves

2nd Star

First Aid

- other badges as interested

Age 10 - Timber Wolves

Leaping Wolf

- other badges as interested

Age 11 - Timber Wolves or Explorers

Age 12 - Explorers

Age 13 - Explorers

Age 14 - Explorers

Age 15 - Explorers or Senior Explorers

Age 16 - Senior Explorers

Age 17 - Senior Explorers

Age 18+ - Rovers

ALTERNATIVES

Scouts Canada

Age 5 to 7 - Beavers

Beavers has no badges

Age 8 - Cubs

Investiture Badge

(tbd)

- other badges as interested

Age 9 - Cubs

(tbd)

- other badges as interested

Age 10 - Cubs

(tbd)

- other badges as interested

Age 11 - Scouts

Age 12 - Scouts

Age 13 - Scouts

Age 14 - Venturers (or Scouts)

Age 15 -

Venturers (or Scouts)

Age 16 - Venturers

Age 17 - Venturers

Age 18+ - Rovers

Girl Guides of Canada

The Guiding program has changed significantly since I was last involved, and I no longer have up-to-date information about the badges.

Age 5 to 6 - Sparks

Age 7 to 8 - Brownies

Age 9 to 11 - Guides

Age 12 to 14 - Pathfinders

Age 15-18 - Rangers or Cadets or Junior Leaders (Senior Branches)