A new Dartmoor Challenge Badge is putting Dartmoor’s unique landscape, history and culture at the heart of exploration and discovery.
Marking 75 years of Dartmoor’s official designation as a National Park, the launch of this one-of-a-kind sew-on badge invites everyone to celebrate and connect with the landscape.
The Dartmoor Challenge Badge is an exciting collaboration of Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Dartmoor Preservation Association and the National Trust and launches this week after two years hard work.
Grouped into six distinct themes (Natural Environment, Built Heritage, Myths and Legends, Working Dartmoor, Exploration, and Who Looks After Dartmoor), the sew-on badge encourages people to explore the fascinating elements that have shaped Dartmoor’s unique landscape.
To earn a Dartmoor Challenge Badge, participants must complete at least one activity from each theme. With 36 varied options to choose from, there's plenty for everyone. Whether it’s bringing ancient myths to life through a comic strip, making a mini Bronze Age roundhouse or creating natural art from fallen leaves, each is designed to spark creativity and discovery.
Once completed, people can order their sew-on badge online. It can be used for clothing, backpacks or bags.
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."
Dartmoor Preservation Association Communications Officer Helen Bruce 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.”
The National Trust’s Community, Participation and Volunteering Manager Paula Clarke 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 Dartmoor Challenge Badge has been created to be flexible and accessible so it can be enjoyed by everyone from families to forest schools, girl guides to scouts and community groups to education providers.
Activities include suggestions on how to adapt aspects to suit individual interests. To promote accessibility, there is a mix of easy to more challenging tasks and plenty of options that are free or low cost. Activities can be enjoyed on Dartmoor or elsewhere, helping people to get to know the place even if they’re unable to visit. Participants are encouraged to “Dartmoor it” as much as they can.
People can start earning their Dartmoor Challenge Badge by visiting Dartmoor Preservation Association's website and downloading the activity and resource packs. There's also information on ordering and buying the sew-on badge once activities are completed.
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