HOW TO USE THIS WEBSITE
Each country is a complete unit, in other words, all Boy Scout, Girl Guide/Scout, Jamboree and other badges are located within the listing of a country. International events and Non-Recognized associations are listed with the country they belong in as are badges from associations outside the country (ie. French Scouts in Tahiti are listed with Tahiti under Association of Scout de France)
There are a few general abbreviations that are used to make descriptions easier and more consistent. These are;
| R - Ribbon | B - Bound | HB- Half Bound | E - Embroidered |
| F - Felt | P - Printed | L - Leather | M - Metal |
| Vy - Vinyl | RB - Backed Ribbon | Pl - Plastic | Vl - Velour |
| S - Screen Printed | W - Woven | ||
| TE - Partially Embroidered | SE - Solid Embroidery |
These abbreviations can be combined to make a complete description of a badge so that an 'EB' badge is an embroidered badge with a rolled or bordered edge. An 'E' badge is an embroidered badge with a cut edge (remember that it still may have a border). An 'ER' badge is a ribbon badge that is embroidered not woven. American council strips are described with a 'T' for a badge with the background twill as part of the design and 'S' for a solid embroidered badge.
Sizes given are width and then height in millimeters. Diameters are also in millimeters. Irregular shapes and shapes that are not rectangular or square are mentioned in the notes section for each badge. If a badge has no real shape then it is labeled as irregular.
Colors are always a real frustration for the collector as we all see colors differently. This listing uses an well known three letter code system to describe the background, border, lettering and FDL colors. All other colors are listed in the notes section using the same three letter coding system. Adjectives such as 'bright', dull, pale and dark are included in the three letter coding. Generally the codes are as follows;
Bright = BT Dull = DL Dark = D Pale = P Light = L
If a scan is available then a picture of a camera will be in the far right column of the individual badge listed. Clicking on the camera will bring the picture up. Using the browser's 'BACK' button will return you to the listing you were at previously.
To avoid conflict with any existing numbering system this list relies on alphabetical order. A numbering system is used for the sections of the listing as all badges must fit one of the seven designated sections.
Here is the order of the database listings published here;
Country
Association (includes Girl Guides/Scouts and Non-Recognized Associations)
Section (there are only seven)
1. National
Emblems
Subsection - National Flag (if flag and name use Name Identification)
Subsection - Name Identification
Subsection - National Emblem
Subsection - International Contingents
Subsection - National Badge
Subsection - National Headquarter Badges
Subsection - Non-Uniform Badges
Subsection - Lapel Pins
2.
Section - Sponsored Groups
Subsection - Religious Denominations, actual name of denomination used
Subsection - Foreign Sponsored Groups from within host association,
sponsored
group name used
Subsection - B.P. Guilds
Subsection - Scout Clubs
3.
Section – Youth/Adult Sections
Subsection - section name which may be in the language of the country
Heading - Membership
Heading - Rank + level
Heading - Offices
Heading - Other
4.
Section - Location Identification (subsections vary according to country)
Subsection – Province
Subsection - State
Subsection - Region
Subsection - District
Subsection - Community/City
Subsection - Overseas
Heading - actual name of place/area, notes field will be used to identify
badges with
name other than name used in heading field
N.B.- Certain badges will remain with their LOCATION IDENTIFICATION grouping;
Anniversary/Centennial – xYYYY-# (year used will be year of issue for
multi-year
badges)
Local camp – yYYYY-#
Event – zYYYY-#
5.
Section - Events
Subsection - International Events
Subsection - National EventsN
(Jamboree/Venture/Corroborree/Moot/Conference/Indaba
etc.)
Number 1 - Official
Number 2 - Services/Staff
Number 3 - Sub Camp
Number 4 - International Contingent (three letter country code)
Number 5 - State/Provincial Contingent (three letter country code)
Number 6 - Local Contingent (three letter country code)
Number 7 - Troop Contingent (three letter country code)
Number 8 - Other
Subsection - Local/Regional (order of year)
Subsection - Anniversary/Centennial (order of year)
Subsection - Congress/Meetings (order of year)
6.
Section - Awards
Subsection - Merit Badges
Subsection - Religious Medals/Awards
Subsection - Medals
Subsection - Leadership Awards
Subsection - Heroic Awards
7. Section - Other
Subsection - Hat Badges
Subsection - Belt Buckles
Subsection - Metal Badges
Subsection - National Camp Badges
Subsection - Unknown Badges