Queen's Scout
A Queen's Scout is a scout who has attained the Queen's Scout Award. The Queen's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in the Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where Scouts operate under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth II. Whether the award recipient is a Queen's or King's Scout depends on who is the current Monarch of the Commonwealth realms.
Initially the award required demonstrated proficiency in standardised scoutcraft and skills useful for service to others and the nation. The current requirements are different in each country and now focus on personal development and typically involve achieving challenges from several areas such as community involvement, adventurous activities, personal growth and leadership development.
In 1909, King Edward VII approved Robert Baden-Powell's request that boys who passed special tests for efficiency be ranked as "King's Scouts". A badge with a crown signified the award as a "King's Scout". After the establishment of the Senior Scout section in 1946, only Senior Scouts (or Boy Scouts over 15) could become King's Scouts. After the succession of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, the award was renamed "Queen's Scout" in 1953.
In the 1920s, there briefly existed a "King's Sea Scout" award for the Sea Scout branch alongside the King's Scout award. Badges for both could be earned by a Sea Scout.
Since 1947, individuals who achieve the King's Scout or Queen’s Scout award receive a certificate with a facsimile signature of the Queen.[1]
The award emblem normally consists of a stylised St Edward's Crown.
United Kingdom
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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 six activities from a list of International, Environment and Values activities, two from each topic area.
- Holders of the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award only need to complete four activities from the list, and holders of the Chief Scout’s Diamond Award only need to complete two. The activities should be different from those completed as part of the other awards.
- 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.[2]
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 both the Queen's Guide award and the Queen's Scout Award was Susan Parker of 1st Brantham Panthers VSU in 1980.[3]
Australia
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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)
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The Queen's Scout award used to be awarded in Hong Kong for the Venture Scout section before 1997. 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 could have worn a Queen's Scout Leader's insignia on the uniform, b.
After 1997 it was renamed the HKSAR Scout Award. The name was again changed due to the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong, to the Dragon Scout Award.[4]
Comparable awards
Queen's Guide Award