King's Scout
A King's Scout is a Scout who has attained the King's Scout Award. The King'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 King Charles III. 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. King's Scouts are entitled to attend one King'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.
History
In November 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", on the left sleeve. The First Class Scout had to pass the Guide's badge, and any three of: Ambulance, Bugler, Cyclist, Marksman, Seaman, and Signaller. From 1911, it was proposed that one troop from each of the countries of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa would be awarded a Challenge Standard of the name of "King's troop", where the troop had no less than 24 boys, and each King's Scout must have been a member of the troop for at least six months.From early-1919 to at least the mid-1920s, there briefly existed a "King's Sea Scout" badge for the Sea Scout branch alongside the King's Scout Award. Badges for both could be earned by a Sea Scout. After the formal establishment of the Senior Scout section in 1946, only Senior Scouts could become King's Scouts. Under the reign of Elizabeth II the uniform award emblem normally consisted of a stylised St Edward's Crown. The award was renamed from King's Scout to Queen's Scout by April 1952, with the succession and approval of Queen Elizabeth II. Since 1947, individuals who achieve the King's Scout or Queen's Scout award receive a certificate with a facsimile signature of the monarch at that time. The certificate for a King's Scout, headed by a stylised Royal coat of arms of the monarch, stated:
United Kingdom
The King'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 16 or over to start this award and be under 25 to complete it as well as still being a member of the 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 King'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.
- * All members should complete 12 months of either the Physical or the Skill.
- * 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 King's Scout Award.
Australia
Historically, it is given the first Australasian King's Scout was in New Zealand by August 1910. By October 1910, at least one troop in Australia had two King's Scouts, the 1st Kensington Troop, Adelaide. The first King's Scout in Queensland was awarded by June 1911. Those scouts were then eligible to complete 21 badges to be awarded the 'Silver Wolf'.The Award Scheme is designed for Venturer Scouts, formerly called Senior 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 Queen's Scout Award requires the Scout to complete a number of achievements in the Venturer Scout Award Scheme. These are:
- Completion of Program Essentials – Milestone 3
- Twelve progressions in the Outdoor Adventure Skills. This must include achieving at least Stage 5 in each of the Core skills of:
- * Bushcraft,
- * Bushwalking, and Camping, if not previously completed
- * This must include at least four achievements of Stage 4 or higher in any stream
- Six Special Interest Area projects
- An Adventurous Journey
- A Leadership or Personal Development Course
- A Personal Reflection
An adult leader who has earned the King's Scout Badge, the Queen's Scout Badge or the Queen's Scout Award is entitled to wear a miniature replica of the cloth badge on their uniform. Following the death of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, it was announced in September 2024, the award would be renamed from the "Queen's Scout Award" to the "King's Scout Award" by King Charles III when he accepted the Royal Patronage of the Scout Association of Australia.