Many of the badges available are activity badges, which allow Scouts to show their progress in existing pursuits, but also to try all kinds of new things and form new interests.
Gaining a Challenge Award involves accomplishing a number of more ambitious tasks within the Troop or community. There are several challenge awards across a number of themes, from the physical and outdoorsy to challenges dealing with the local community or issues connected with the Scouting world.
Some activity badges are sponsored by outside companies, and these companies often provide extra exciting resource packs to help Scouts towards gaining their badges.