New Dartmoor Challenge Badge launched for National Park’s 75th anniversary

The Dartmoor Challenge Badge has been created through a collaboration between Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) and the National Trust, following two years of development.

The sew-on badge is designed to encourage people to discover more about what makes Dartmoor special, with 36 activities divided into six themes: Natural Environment, Built Heritage, Myths and Legends, Working Dartmoor, Exploration, and Who Looks After Dartmoor.

To earn the badge, participants need to complete at least one activity from each of the six themes. The activities range from making a miniature Bronze Age roundhouse and creating artwork from fallen leaves to bringing Dartmoor's ancient myths and legends to life through a comic strip.

The challenge has been designed to appeal to a wide range of people and groups, including families, schools, forest schools, Girlguiding and Scouts, community groups and education providers.

Activities can be adapted to suit individual interests and abilities, with a mixture of easier and more challenging tasks. Many are free or low cost, while some can be completed away from the moor itself, allowing people who are unable to visit Dartmoor to learn more about the National Park.

Participants are encouraged to “Dartmoor it” wherever possible by incorporating Dartmoor into their activities and discoveries.

Dartmoor National Park Authority Community Engagement Ranger Kats Koster-Shadbolt said: “We are delighted to be launching the Dartmoor Challenge Badge after two years of hard work. We are very proud of the collaboration between the three organisations to produce an amazing resource that is free to access, fun to take part in, and adaptable to all.

"We are really looking forward to hearing about which activities people choose to do and the creative ways they engage with them. Through the badge we hope that more people can discover the national park and dive deeper into the wonders of Dartmoor."

Helen Bruce, Communications Officer for the Dartmoor Preservation Association, said: “The DPA believe in the benefit of collaborative working and it has been wonderful to work alongside the National Trust and Dartmoor National Park Authority to create the Dartmoor Challenge Badge.

“We see the broad range of accessible activities included in the badge pack as an invite to everyone to come and build a meaningful connection with Dartmoor, to not only learn about fascinating local nature, archaeology and culture, but to have their own memorable adventures in this very special National Park.”

Paula Clarke, the National Trust’s Community, Participation and Volunteering Manager, said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside our partners at Dartmoor National Park and Dartmoor Preservation Association in the creation of the Dartmoor Challenge Badge.

"We would also like to thank the local community groups and individuals who were our critical friends along the way, testing out activities for us, and offering great suggestions to make it even better. It is the most wonderful example of team work and collaboration and a testament to what makes Dartmoor such a special place. We are excited to be able to share it with everyone."

The launch forms part of celebrations marking 75 years since Dartmoor was designated a National Park in 1951.

The challenge also aims to encourage a deeper understanding of Dartmoor beyond its scenery, highlighting the people, communities, archaeology, wildlife, farming and traditions that have shaped the landscape over generations.

Once the required activities have been completed, participants can order the sew-on badge, which can be displayed on clothing, backpacks or bags.

The activity and resource packs are available through the Dartmoor Preservation Association, along with information about completing the challenge and ordering the badge.

To get started, you'll need to download the Dartmoor Challenge Badge Activity Pack and the accompanying Dartmoor Challenge Badge Resource Pack. These two resources will provide all the instructions, templates, links, images and prompts that you need to earn a badge as an individual or group. You may want to print documents and keep them in a folder to refer to, or you might prefer to select certain activity pages and laminate them, for multiple uses. Download the Dartmoor Challenge Badge Activity Pack (https://dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/dartmoor-challenge-badge/) When you've completed your six activities, you can order your sew-on Dartmoor Challenge Badge online from Dartmoor Preservation Association's online shop for £2.