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The Queen's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in several countries. It is awarded in realms of the Commonwealth, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where the Scouts operate under the ceremonial leadership of the monarch.

The Queen's Scout Award is actually conferred by the monarch via Royal Charter; you are not awarded the Queen's Scout Award, rather you become one. The requirements are different in each country but typically involve achieving challenges from several areas such as community involvement, adventurous activities, personal growth and leadership development. Whether the award is a Queen's or King's Scout Award depends on who is the current Monarch of the Commonwealth realms. In 1909, King Edward VII granted the award of the King's Scout Badge as the highest achievement award for Boy Scouts on the recommendation of Robert Baden-Powell, the Movement Founder and Chief Scout of the World. For a brief moment in the 1920s, there existed a "King's Sea Scout Badge" for the Sea Scout branch alongside with the King's Scout Badge. Both badges could be earned by a Sea Scout. After the establishment of the Senior Scout section in 1946, the King's Scout Badge was no longer allowed to be attained by the Boy Scouts section and became a sole privilege of the Senior Scouts (or Boy Scouts over 15). After Queen Elizabeth II succeeded the throne from her father King George VI in 1952, the badge was renamed the Queen's Scout Badge in 1953, and became the Queen's Scout Award in 1968. Prior to 1968, a Rover Scout who had gained the Queen's Scout Badge was allowed to wear a miniature replica of the badge on his left arm sleeve before he gained the Baden-Powell's Award.

United Kingdom

The Queen's Scout Award in the United Kingdom is the ultimate goal of a progressive award scheme and is achieved by completing the following requirements through The Scout Association:

• Be a member of Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network or both for at least 18 months.
• Complete 18 nights away as an Explorer Scout or member of the Scout Network, of which 12 must be camping.
• Complete two activities from a list of International, Environment and Values activities.
• Hold the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, or complete the five Queen's Scout Award Challenges, which are:
  • Take up a Skill for 6 or 12 months, and show progress and lasting interest.
  • Take up a Physical Activity for 6 or 12 months.
  • Provide Service to an individual or the community for 12 months.
  • Plan, complete and review a four day and three night expedition in open or adventurous country by foot, cycle, horse, canoe, kayak, boat or dinghy.
  • Complete a five day and four night residential project in an unfamiliar environment with people who are not known.
• Following completion of the first four elements of the Award, make a presentation, to a suitable audience, of your achievements so far in working towards the Queen's Scout Award.

All Members should complete twelve months of either the Physical Activity or the Skill.

Explorer Scouts and members of the Scout Network who are not holders of the Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award or the Chief Scout's Diamond Award must complete an extra six months in either the Service or the longer of the Skills or Physical Recreation Challenge.

Queen's Scouts are entitled to attend one Queen's Scout Parade held at Windsor Castle each year held on the Sunday closest to St George's Day; this is the only time when Scouts officially march.

The first person to hold the Queens Guide award and the Queens Scout Award was Susan Parker of 1st Brantham Panthers VSU in 1978.

Australia

The Award Scheme is designed for Venturer Scouts. Its aim is to widen the interests and knowledge of Venturer Scouts. Its rationale is based on the aim and methods of Scouting allowing fun, variety, personal choice and to assist in planning for a balanced program. It is a system designed to be challenging and encouraging for people over a wide range of activities.

The Venturing Skills Award requires the participation of the Venturer Scout in a number of activities which will enhance their participation in the unit activities.

The Queen's Scout Award has four main areas, listed below. These are made up of different badges, which require different levels of approval. The four main areas are Leadership Development, Personal Growth, Outdoor Activities and Community Involvement. Approval may be required from the unit council, the District Venturer Council or a separate examiner. This peer review aims to maintain good standards for the award. Each area of the award may be completed to either first or second level.

An adult leader who has earned the Queen's Scout Award is entitled to wear a miniature replica of the cloth badge on their uniform.

Hong Kong (before 1997)

The Queen's Scout award used to be awarded in Hong Kong for the Venture Scout section before 1997. It is now renamed to the HKSAR Scout Award. The Royal Certificate (Queen's Scout Award certificate) was awarded in the Hong Kong Scout Rally or on St George's Day, by the Governor of Hong Kong. A Scout Leader who has received the Queen's Scout Award can wear a Queen's Scout Leader's insignia on the uniform.

Comparable awards

Queen's Guide Award

References

1. ScoutBase UK Information Explorer Scout Badges: The Queen's Scout Award
2. 1st Brantham Panthers VSU

External links

• The History of the Queen's Scout Award (UK Scout Association Factsheet - pdf)

• Scout and Guide awards
• The Scout Association
• Scouting and Guiding in Australia