3RD BASINGSTOKE BOYS’ BRIGADE
15 – 18 Year Olds
Seniors
We meet on Friday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30 pm at St. Andrews’ Methodist Church, Western Way, Basingstoke RG22 6ER. Seniors is for young men aged 15 – 18 years old. With parents’ permission members can stay until 10.00pm (during summer months) and join in with sports and other fun activities.
The Company Section runs together with the Seniors. Seniors are expected to take on Leadership roles within the Company Section.
The Leader in charge of the Seniors is Barry Precey.
Are you up to the Challenge?
We provide a program of fun yet challenging activities including sports, games, arts and crafts, music, going on visits, outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, orienteering, cycling, canoeing and much more.
Every young person can expect:
- To experience new challenges
- To be listened to and have a say
- To be respected and valued
- To have fun
- To have the opportunity to develop a personal Christian faith
Seniors is all about challenging yourself, learning to accept responsibility for your actions, taking Leadership as well as learning new skills, making your own decisions and having fun. BB provides a safe environment to explore new possibilities and achieve personal goals while making friends and having adventures.
Our experienced Leaders are DBS checked and will make every effort to ensure your childs’ safety. See our Information for Parents/Guardians section for more details.
Uniform
We are a uniformed organisation and do expect our members to wear their full clean uniform every week. Seniors wear a dark blue pullover (right) and blue polo shirt (below) which is supplied to you by us. We ask for uniforms to please be returned to us when it has been outgrown or the member leaves.
In addition members are required to wear dark trousers (school trousers are ideal), dark coloured socks and black shoes or trainers (no white socks or white trainers please). Their Badges are worn on a black armband which goes on the right arm. In addition higher achievement badges are worn on an armband which goes on the left arm. Seniors will need to bring a change of clothes for sports activities.
Activity Programme
In addition, Seniors can take on the Challenge Plus Programme. This requires each young man to undertake in-depth Projects and Challenge activities which they themselves choose and work on at their initiative, with assistance from the Leaders if they need it. These are grouped into three zones:
- Community
- Life Skills
- Recreation & Leisure
There are three levels of awards which require a number of points to achieve.
The Challenge Plus Bronze Award requires 10 points.
The Challenge Plus Silver Award requires 20 points.
The Challenge Plus Gold Award requires 30 points.
Seniors will be awarded 5 points for a successful Project and 1 point for a Challenge. In most cases the Seniors will set the target or objective for Projects and Challenges themselves.
In addition to the above Seniors can achieve the following higher awards.
The Queen is the Patron of the Boys’ Brigade and The Queen’s Badge is the highest award that may be gained by a member of The Boys’ Brigade. It aims to challenge and equip the individual, provide new opportunities and expand horizons while remaining accessible to candidates of all abilities. In the history of 3rd Basingstoke Boys’ Brigade Company only one individual has achieved The Queen’s Badge so you can see what a rare and high honour it is.
The Boys’ Brigade has a strong association with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and Seniors & Leaders up to the age of 25 can choose to work towards earning the DEA Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards.
Ranks and Promotion
Seniors are expected to take on Leadership roles within the Company Section and this is recognised in the form of ranks and promotion. Company Section members have the rank of Private while Seniors who have proved themselves reliable and trustworthy enough can earn the following ranks which are indicated by the chevrons the Senior wears on their armbands:
Lance Corporal
Corporal
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Upon reaching the age of 18 a Senior is considered a Member of Staff and joins the Leaders in helping to run the Boys Brigade Company. They may still complete their badgework for the remainder of the year. As a Leader there are many further opportunities for advancement within The Boys Brigade.
In addition, Seniors will earn a service badge which shows how many years they have been a member for. A Senior who has been with The Boys’ Brigade since he was 5 years old can earn up to 13 years service. But we do also provide 14 and 15 year service badges which may be presented in special circumstances.
Other Age Groups
ADDRESS
3rd Basingstoke Boys' Brigade
St Andrew's Methodist Church
Western Way,
Basingstoke,
RG22 6ER.
THE BB OBJECT
The object of the Boys Brigade is: "The advancement of Christ's kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness"