Boys' Brigade: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Boys' Brigade is a non-denominational Christian youth organization in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and several other countries. It was set up by Sir William Alexander Smith on October 4, 1883 at Free Church Mission Hall, North Woodside Road, Glasgow.

The Boys' Brigade motto is "Sure and Stedfast" and the logo is an anchor and a cross. This comes from a phrase in The Bible, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Chapter 6, Verse 19: 'Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast'. The official 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."

There are four different age groups within the organisation:
Anchors - 5 to 8 years
Juniors - 8 to 11 years
Company - 11 to 15 years
Seniors - 15 to 18 years

Each age group has awards that can be gained by fulfilling achievements. The Anchors' can gain awards for Project, Sports and Scrapbook, among others. The Juniors can gain White, Green, Purple, Blue, Red and Gold awards (White and Green require five achievements each, all the others need 10). The Company Section can gain two Target badges first, then five other badges (Interests, Adventure, Leadership, Physical and Community) with red and blue flashes around them. Only once all these badges and flashes have been received can you go for the President's Badge and then the highest honour - the Queen's Badge.