The idea of interest badges in Guiding - is that they are badges which you can do if you are interested - and equally, that you don't do if you aren't interested. So they are optional extras, non-essential.
One key aspect of higher awards is that they should require some kind of extra effort, if they are to have any kudos or value. They shouldn't be badges which you pick up 'on the way past' just by attending unit meetings regularly and participating in whatever activities the Leaders happen to lay on.
This is why, although most of the requirements for the Theme Awards and the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards should be covered by a girl who attends unit meetings regularly for two years or more, that doesn't and shouldn't cover all of them. She also has to make some extra effort off her own bat.
The vast majority of girls, if they wanted to, would be able to do work on interest badges at home, during the school holidays if not during termtime. And the badges have been carefully structured to ensure that there is at least one badge in each theme which can be done with little or no equipment or expense.
But what of that minority of girls, the ones who wouldn't have facilities or any support at home? Leaders can allow them to work on interest badges at the meeting hall provided a) that the girls are working independently, and b) that there is an attractive alternative activity provided for the girls who aren't working on an interest badge.
This ensures that the girls are given the opportunity to work on badges in the way they want to - not in a way imposed. And it also means that they are given the opportunity not to work on interest badges.
Why does this matter?
Firstly, I think for a 'highest award' to be worthy of it's name, a girl should be knowingly working to earn it - it shouldn't come as a total surprise and she should have some idea of what caused her to earn it.
Secondly, there are a number of ways in which a girl gains from membership of Guiding, developing the teamwork skills, the leadership, the decision-making, the independence, the self-reliance, and all the rest of it. Badge-earning isn't the only way, and isn't necessarily even the most important or effective way.
And finally - Guiding is meant to be girl-led. So it doesn't matter a jot what ambitions we would like them to have, we cannot make them have those ambitions. So we have to understand and accept that what matters is what they want to get from Guiding. What they consider to be important, what they value. It's natural that whilst some will want to pursue high awards, most won't consider that to be a significant driver. And we should be willing to accept that. Our role is to make sure all of the girls know what options are open to them and where they would lead. But not try to fulfil our dreams of award-earning vicariously.
And that's why I consider that it is wrong for a Leader to turn round to the girls in her unit and say "Tonight we're doing X interest badge."
