The Queen's Scout Award is the top award
in Scouting, the requirements for this award need more effort than
the Duke of Edinburgh's (D of E) Gold Award! If you go the right
way about it, by making sure that the you register for the Gold D
of E award when you start on the Queen's Scout Award you can get
both without any extra effort.
To gain the Queen's Scout Award you must complete the
following:
Membership
Be aged between 16 and 25 years old and have been a member of
Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network (or both) for at least 18
months. This can include time counted towards the Chief Scout's
Platinum or Diamond Awards.
Nights Away
Complete 18 nights away as an Explorer Scout or member of the
Scout Network, of which 12 must be camping (this may include nights
counted towards the Chief Scout's Platinum or Diamond Awards). See
the 'Additional Information' section for more information.
International, Environmental, Values List
Complete two activities from the International, Environmental
and Values list. These should be different activities from the
Chief Scout's Platinum and Diamond Awards, and from two different
areas.
Challenges
- Hold a Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award OR
- Complete the 5 Queen's Scout Award Challenges
Skill
Take up a skill for 6 or 12* months, and show progress and
lasting interest. The skill can be an existing interest or
something entirely new.
Physical activity
Take up a physical activity for 6 or 12* months, completing an
agreed programme by taking part and achieving your objectives.
Volunteering
Provide service to an individual or the community for 12 months.
Briefing and training should be given in order to gain the
necessary skills. This may include helping with another section of
the movement as an Explorer Scout Young Leader or adult
volunteer.
Expedition
Undertake a 4-day and 3-night expedition in open or adventurous
country by foot, cycle, horse, canoe, boat or dinghy. The
expedition should involve careful preparation, training,
responsibility and review.
Undertake a 5-day and 4-night residential project in an
unfamiliar environment with people who are not known to you. This
project could be environmental work, activity-based, service to
others or personal training.
If for any reason someone has to drop out then it is not
possible for a non-Member to take their place in the
expedition.
Presentation
Make a presentation, to a suitable audience, of your
achievements in working towards the Queen's Scout Award.
All members should complete 12 months in either the skill or the
physical activity challenges.
Explorer Scouts and members of the Scout Network who are not
holders of a Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award or the Chief Scout's
Diamond Award must complete an extra 6 months in either the service
or the longer of the skills or physical recreation challenges.
Additional information:
Nights Away
Camping also includes using other outdoor shelters, such as
bivouacs and snow holes.
Nights away can be counted if they take place: with other
Explorer Scouts/ Scout Network members; while undertaking an award
for Explorer Scouts/ Scout Network; or while completing an activity
contributing directly to the section programme.
It also includes any nights away undertaken as a Young
Leader/adult volunteer with another section.
Working for more than one award at a time
An award does not have to be completed before activities can
count for the next award. For example, if an Explorer Scout has
completed the expedition element of their Chief Scout's Platinum
Award but not the rest of their award, they can begin the
expedition section of the Chief Scout's Diamond Award.
Award standards
The awards are based on personal best effort and not on fixed
standards. Therefore, the quality of the personal effort is much
more important than the quality of the content, which will vary
according to ability, age and other factors.
Taking a break or changing activities
If you want to change activities during an award, this is
possible, although on one occasion only. It is also possible to
take a break from an activity and then to restart from where you
stopped. This could happen during a period of school, college or
university exams.
Special needs
If you have a special need it is best practice to make sure that
your leader and Commissioner are aware of the situation so that
they can support you in gaining the award in the way that is
suitable for you.
Like the Chief Scout's Diamond Award, the Queen's Scout Award
can be gained in either Explorer or Network Scouts, and should be
achievable by all, no matter their physical or mental ability.
Further resources
Support materials for the Queen's Scout Award