Queen's Scout
Encyclopedia
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.
is the ultimate goal of a progressive award scheme
and is achieved by completing the following requirements through The Scout Association
:
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.
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.
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.
Award
An award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons...
is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in several countries. It is awarded in realms of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
, including the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
where the Scouts operate under the ceremonial leadership of the monarch
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
.
The Queen's Scout Award is actually conferred by the monarch via Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
; 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
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
involvement, adventurous activities, personal growth and leadership
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
development. Whether the award is a Queen's or King's Scout Award depends on who is the current Monarch of the Commonwealth realms
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
.
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
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
, 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 KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
is the ultimate goal of a progressive award scheme
Progressive Award Scheme (UK Scouting)
The Progressive Award Scheme is a major part of the Scout Association programme.The current scheme began with the programme review in 2003, and is provides a thread of activities and challenges from the very start in the Beaver Colonies on up to the members of the Scout Network, although there have...
and is achieved by completing the following requirements through The Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
:
- Be a member of Explorer ScoutsExplorer ScoutsExplorer Scouts , a section of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds, was introduced in 2001 replacing Venture Scouts . This was part of a greater change in programme, including the introduction of Scout Network for 18- to 25-year-olds...
or the Scout NetworkScout NetworkThe Scout Network is the fifth and final section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, catering for 18- to 25-year-olds and introduced in 2001, following the review of UK Scouting. It, along with the Explorer Scout section, replaced the Venture Scouts...
or both for at least 18 months. - Complete 18 nights away as an Explorer Scout or member of the Scout NetworkScout NetworkThe Scout Network is the fifth and final section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, catering for 18- to 25-year-olds and introduced in 2001, following the review of UK Scouting. It, along with the Explorer Scout section, replaced the Venture Scouts...
, of which 12 must be campingCampingCamping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
. - 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
Explorer Scouts
Explorer Scouts , a section of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds, was introduced in 2001 replacing Venture Scouts . This was part of a greater change in programme, including the introduction of Scout Network for 18- to 25-year-olds...
and members of the Scout Network
Scout Network
The Scout Network is the fifth and final section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, catering for 18- to 25-year-olds and introduced in 2001, following the review of UK Scouting. It, along with the Explorer Scout section, replaced the Venture Scouts...
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
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
each year held on the Sunday closest to St George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
'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 KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
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
St George's Day
St George's Day is celebrated by the several nations, kingdoms, countries, and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint. St George's Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death in AD 303...
, by the Governor of Hong Kong
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
. A Scout Leader who has received the Queen's Scout Award can wear a Queen's Scout Leader's insignia on the uniform.