The Royal Air Force (RAF)
Check out how the RAF supports our Air Activities staged badge with a range of fantastic STEM resources and events
Why we work together
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is passionate about equipping young people with the skills they need to soar.
The RAF sponsors our staged Air Activities badges across all Scout sections and is on hand to share expert knowledge in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
The RAF provides Scouts with
- Resources to complete the Air Activities badges
- Access to STEM-based activities, challenges and competitions
- The opportunity to attend exclusive events - including museum takeover days - where Scouts can learn from RAF STEM ambassadors and work towards or complete their badges in a single sitting
Badges and resources
With the Air Activities staged badges, all Scout sections can explore the secrets and science of flight. They'll learn about the workings of an aircraft, how to chart a journey across the sky and how to prototype their own flying machine.
Keen to get stuck in? Activities for all six badges are available on the Programme Planning Tool. You can find these activities by clicking on the link under the badge on this page.
More activities and information packs
During our partnership with the RAF we have created some amazing additional resources which were featured in issues of our Partnerships Magazine, Make Do Share. Download these activities below.
Planning a day trip with your Scouts?
Visiting the Royal Air Force Museums is a great way to bring the Air Researcher and Air Activities badges content to life and try something new together. Entry is often free, or available at a discounted rate for groups. Please check the websites below for more information.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please check the opening details on the websites for museums before planning your trip.
Air Activities Staged Badge
Get your badges from Scout Store
Activities, challenges and competitions
The RAF offer a range of hands-on activities for Scouts, from one-hour STEM sessions to full-day programmes, challenges and competitions.
For more information, contact the RAF Youth and STEM team at rafyouthandstem@outlook.com
RIAT
On the 14th July, the sky above RAF Fairford filled with the thrilling sights and sounds of several hundred aircraft of all shapes and sizes and from all eras and countries of the world.
Scouts from across the country found all sorts of STEM activities taking place on the ground too. They got up close and personal with a huge selection of aircraft and met the people who fly them and keep them in the sky.
It's a brilliant day out that put a smile on the faces of many groups and leaders alike.
Like to attend next year?
Please check this page from February 2024 for more details.
About the RAF
The RAF is the air component of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces (the other services being the Royal Navy and British Army). It is the oldest independent air force in the world. The RAF's mission is to support the objectives of the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), which are to "provide the capabilities needed: to ensure the security and defence of the United Kingdom and overseas territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government’s foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security."
The RAF describes its mission statement as "... [to provide] An agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission." The mission statement is supported by the RAF's definition of air power, which guides its strategy. Air power is defined as "the ability to project power from the air and space to influence the behaviour of people or the course of events."
If you would like to contact the RAF Youth Engagement Team please email them at rafyouthengagement@gmail.com
About the RAF Charitable Trust (RAFCT)
The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) is the youngest member of the Royal Air Force family of charities and has had a significant and positive impact on the lives of many young people. Through the support of a wide range of projects and initiatives, particularly those focused on supporting Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM), the RAFCT strives to improve the lives and opportunities of young people across the UK.