Review Time
Life change isn't an overstatement for me, I am starting to make new friendships and doing things I never imagined trying out like learning about particular topics, crafting and learning new skills. A really supportive community.
As someone who has joined this year and have gone all in as a participant I wanted to share my perspective on some of the negative reviews on here as I feel it's important for anyone considering joining, not to feel alarmed or misled when seeing them.
To me, it's a very clear misunderstanding on what the Rebel Badge Club is, as made incredibly clear, it's a business (owned and run by one person), which you as the customer can decide how much you engage with. I think it's not only an incredible idea but has been organised and delivered in a way that allows flexibility and enjoyment whilst remaining safe and inclusive (which is quite rare considering it's open to anyone over the age of 18 world-wide).
Yes they are strict on what can/cannot be posted, this is so that it keeps to what the group is for, prevents confusion, avoid duplication of information and remains respectful. I have had a couple posts not approved, and was given clear feedback as to why, which makes sense (mine would have caused confusion) and I'm grateful for the strictness because it allows for no-drama, easy, inspirational, reading through the posts, rather than stress (which is the case for many public Facebook groups) keeping on point which is all about completing the challenges and activities (called clauses)
Regarding the cost, again with the exception of one book, everything else is optional (even buying the actual badges once you've completed the criteria for a merit badge), joining the Facebook group comes at no extra costs. There are options to pay a small additional cost to participate in additIonal challenges. think of these like an 'add-on' This seems to be an issue for some, of the very few people, who are complaining, but it's no different to say buying an expansion pack to a game, or a higher tier when buying an in-person experience (again, like so many other businesses do) There have been people who have dropped out or not joined on some of these because they currently can't afford it and I haven't seen nor believe there's any judgement or discrimination towards them.
I think the confusion comes when it's often being compared to childhood experiences such as guides/scouts/woodcraft folk and the likes, although yes there's an overlap in the concept (that's the whole point, an opportunity for adults to be able to have that experience to do activities and challenges, earn and collect badges and feel that sense of achievement which isn't related to work), it's not a charity, nor paid for by someone else, you pay for the experience (like you would for anything else) and I think that's something some people aren't quite understanding especially because the kindness, support, sense of community and belonging is what people usually only associate with in non-profit/charity type things.
It's very simple, if you find out it's not your kind of thing, then you can just leave. If you only want the book, you don't have to join the Facebook group, If you want to join the Facebook group but not do any of the additional things, then that's fine too. If you want to do literally everything that's on offer - go for it.
If you are thinking about it, and it appeals to you, I encourage you to give it ago because for a lot of people (the majority) who discover Rebel Badge Club, it's an amazing adventure to embark on that is really about trying new things and having fun, something we adults, often forget to do.
Life change isn't an overstatement for me, I am starting to make new friendships and doing things I never imagined trying out like learning about particular topics, crafting and learning new skills. A really supportive community. As someone who has joined this year and have gone all in as a participant I wanted to share my perspective on some of the negative reviews on here as I feel it's important for anyone considering joining, not to feel alarmed or misled when seeing them.To me, it's a very clear misunderstanding on what the Rebel Badge Club is, as made incredibly clear, it's a business (owned and run by one person), which you as the customer can decide how much you engage with. I think it's not only an incredible idea but has been organised and delivered in a way that allows flexibility and enjoyment whilst remaining safe and inclusive (which is quite rare considering it's open to anyone over the age of 18 world-wide). Yes they are strict on what can/cannot be posted, this is so that it keeps to what the group is for, prevents confusion, avoid duplication of information and remains respectful. I have had a couple posts not approved, and was given clear feedback as to why, which makes sense (mine would have caused confusion) and I'm grateful for the strictness because it allows for no-drama, easy, inspirational, reading through the posts, rather than stress (which is the case for many public Facebook groups) keeping on point which is all about completing the challenges and activities (called clauses) Regarding the cost, again with the exception of one book, everything else is optional (even buying the actual badges once you've completed the criteria for a merit badge), joining the Facebook group comes at no extra costs. There are options to pay a small additional cost to participate in additIonal challenges. think of these like an 'add-on' This seems to be an issue for some, of the very few people, who are complaining, but it's no different to say buying an expansion pack to a game, or a higher tier when buying an in-person experience (again, like so many other businesses do) There have been people who have dropped out or not joined on some of these because they currently can't afford it and I haven't seen nor believe there's any judgement or discrimination towards them. I think the confusion comes when it's often being compared to childhood experiences such as guides/scouts/woodcraft folk and the likes, although yes there's an overlap in the concept (that's the whole point, an opportunity for adults to be able to have that experience to do activities and challenges, earn and collect badges and feel that sense of achievement which isn't related to work), it's not a charity, nor paid for by someone else, you pay for the experience (like you would for anything else) and I think that's something some people aren't quite understanding especially because the kindness, support, sense of community and belonging is what people usually only associate with in non-profit/charity type things. It's very simple, if you find out it's not your kind of thing, then you can just leave. If you only want the book, you don't have to join the Facebook group, If you want to join the Facebook group but not do any of the additional things, then that's fine too. If you want to do literally everything that's on offer - go for it. If you are thinking about it, and it appeals to you, I encourage you to give it ago because for a lot of people (the majority) who discover Rebel Badge Club, it's an amazing adventure to embark on that is really about trying new things and having fun, something we adults, often forget to do.
I became a member of the club in late summer 2024 and it is the best decision I have ever made.I have all 3 books and there is such an excellent variety of clauses to complete a wide range of merit badges, as well as monthly and quarterly challenges. I highly recommend joining the online community too in order to get the absolute maximum experience. Seeing what other people have been working on is truly inspiring.There are other groups that you can join alongside the main group, such as the book club, and I look forward to the monthly meetings. The variety of genres read is to be highly commended, at last a book club that doesn't live by "book-tok" rules! What began as a book has become a global community of thousands with a love of badges. There is definitely a strong feeling of camaraderie within the group and I have made friends for life. It is also refreshing to see a business take e-safety so seriously and I feel comfortable knowing that I am in a safe space when talking to others.As with all aspects of life, what you put in to something is reflected in what you get out of it. You can take a more laissez-faire approach to Badge Club life or go full throttle and go to game days, take part in the Rebel Cup, meet people in your local Rebellion and take part in official meet ups. I really appreciate the option of being able to do a virtual Rebel Fest twice a year, my first being December 2025. The variety of activities on offer was amazing and I felt exhausted by the end of the weekend in the best possible way!Buying the first book is easily the best decision that I have ever made.
I absolutely love being a member of the Rebel Badge Club. The self assessed merit badges have encouraged to try things that I kept meaning to try but never had an incentive to do such a learning Italian and reading non fiction books.I enjoy the monthly badges which have a different focus each month and love the book club which encourages me to pick up a book I never normally would choose.I find the in person events great fun and enjoyed playing monopoly on a large scale in London and the Summer camp was fab (my chance to be a kid again!)I have met loads of awesome people through the club and enjoy penpalling with other Rebels from around the world.
I love Rebel Badge Club. It is a small women-owned business, run almost entirely by Charly so don't expect dispatch and delivery times to be like Amazon Prime but even when there is a wait, it's very worth it. Charly posts a lot of updates in the Facebook group and is very responsive to emails too. I've always had great customer service, love the high quality products and the whole vibe of the club.
Books are good quality but don't feel worth the £30 I paid for the book and journal on the official site. I have now completed a good amount of the merit badges and enjoyed doing them.However I find the online community a bit much and verry opesit the values and ideology the book gives of. With bages that haven't been proven often rejected.All posts on main group have to be approved but this often feels very controlling and makes having healthy debate and discussion near impossible.I love the monthly challenge thou often find that due to me not wanting to perchance all the books I am cut off from many of the quality bages which anybody can do thou if participating in the cup you have to physically buy the badges which with the subscription is around £22 pounds for 5 midem badges. A little expensive as i can get medals for less than that.This is a common theme with the club and It dose make me feel uncomfortable a lot of the time.I love my local rebellion on the most part but many people throughout rbc are offended if you look at things a different way as the current structure feels and has many cultish attributes.I do feel that the club isn't a cult but has outgrown its current set up. I'd love it if it was run moor like scouts and girl gides and I was able to only be part of my local group and not forced to be a member of multiple FB groups.The in person events are expensive to but understandably but I do fell the online events a verry expensive.I would happily give 5 stars but have dedicated due to costs of joining and actively participating, and for the many occasions I have been made to feel left out throu the FOMO inducing marketing because I can't justify a pirches.My intention is to continue with the badges but taking a step back from the community.
I came across the Rebel Badge Book club at a difficult time in my life. Life was challenging and I didn't feel up to it, resulting in breakdown. Through working on the badges, challenges, and joining other Rebels at meetups I have learnt new skills, tried new things and recovered! With the variety of badges offered there is something for everyone. It has also encouraged me out of my comfort zone. Now retired I have have found the club fun, educational, inclusive and welcoming. I am so thankful for finding these books by Charly Lester.
The idea of merit badges for adults is great, but not unique. There are other, less culty organisations that do something similar.The owner of RBC will say that there are thousands with positive experiences and thats great.The problems start if you begin to take a deeper involvement.People are constantly judged. The club becomes less fun. There are more posts about how people should not disagree with the leaders. There is lovebombing, jargon, praise for converting people, people being scared to disagree. This is all cultish behaviour. If this sounds like fun, get involved! But also be aware that there may be a negative impact on your mental health.It is definitely a cult!
Overpriced, overhyped and overly controlledI loved the idea of this book, encouraging adults to try new things and earn badges sounds brilliant. But in reality, it falls flat. The book is overpriced for the content you get, with very basic challenges that feel more suited to children. To make things worse, the badges (which are kind of the whole point) aren’t included, they have to be ordered separately from their website and are far from cheap. Without them, there’s not much incentive to actually complete the tasks.There’s also a strange layer of control surrounding the whole Rebel Badge Club experience. The official Facebook group feels heavily policed, with little room for independent thinking or neurodivergent approaches. It all comes across more like a cult of personality than a community.In the end, it feels like a clever business idea that’s lost touch with the fun and freedom it originally promised. Disappointing.
I've been a Rebel for over 3 years now, and without sounding cringe and cliché, it has literally changed my life. I have gone from battling anxiety and depression, to willing to try absolutely anything for a badge! Volunteering for charity? Aced it. 24hr swimming challenge? Bossed it. Develop a new obsession with Geocaching? Absolutely! I've made incredible friends, my confidence has skyrocketed, and keeps my life so entertaining!
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Rebel Badge Club started as a single badge book - an idea during lockdown - with 52 badges.
Three years later, it's evolved into 3 volumes of books, monthly, quarterly and annual challenges, stickers, journals, clothing, events and much more.
The group gets likened to 'Brownies for adults' but it's for anyone and everyone over the age of 18. The books are designed expecting most people to do 10-15 out of the selection of 52 badges, with most merit badges taking around 3 months to complete.
Rebel Badge Club is a trading name of Charly Lester Ltd.See more
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