A King's Scout (also known as Queen's Scout during the reign of

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

) is a

Scout Scout may refer to: Youth movement *Scout (Scouting), a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement ** Scouts (The Scout Association), section for 10-14 year olds in the United Kingdom ** Scouts BSA, sect ...

who has attained the King's Scout

Award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award may be d ...

. The King's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the

Scouting Scouting or the Scout Movement is a youth social movement, movement which became popularly established in the first decade of the twentieth century. It follows the Scout method of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activi ...

movement in the

Commonwealth realm A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state in the Commonwealth of Nations that has the same constitutional monarch and head of state as the other realms. The current monarch is King Charles III. Except for the United Kingdom, in each of the re ...

s, including the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

(

King's Venturer Award The King's Venturer Award (formerly Queen's Venturer Award) is the highest Scouting proficiency award for Venturer Scouts in Scouts Canada that can be regularly awarded, as the Amory Adventure Award is only awarded to one venturer company each ye ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, and

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

(King's Scout Kauri Award), where Scouts operate under the patronage of

King Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and ...

. 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 Scoutcraft is a term used to cover a variety of woodcraft knowledge and skills required by people seeking to venture into wild country and sustain themselves independently. The term has been adopted by Scouting organizations to reflect skills and k ...

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 A community is a social unit (a group of people) with a shared socially-significant characteristic, such as place, set of norms, culture, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given g ...

involvement, adventurous activities, personal growth and

leadership Leadership, is defined as the ability of an individual, group, or organization to "", influence, or guide other individuals, teams, or organizations. "Leadership" is a contested term. Specialist literature debates various viewpoints on the co ...

development. King's Scouts are entitled to attend one King's Scout Parade held at

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a List of British royal residences, royal residence at Windsor, Berkshire, Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, about west of central London. It is strongly associated with the Kingdom of England, English and succee ...

each year held on the Sunday closest to

St George Saint George (;Geʽez: ጊዮርጊስ, , ka, გიორგი, , , died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was an early Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to holy tradition, he was a soldier in the R ...

's Day; this is the only time when Scouts officially march.

History

In November 1909,

King Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910. The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria and ...

approved Robert

Baden-Powell Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, ( ; 22 February 1857 – 8 January 1941) was a British Army officer, writer, founder of The Boy Scouts Association and its first Chief Scout, and founder, with ...

'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

, and

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

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 Sea Scouts are a part of the Scout movement, with a particular emphasis on boating and other water-based activities on the sea, rivers or lakes (canoeing, rafting, scuba, sailboarding). Sea Scouts can provide a chance to sail, cruise on boats, ...

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 (or Boy Scouts over 15 years of age) could become King's Scouts. Under the reign of

the uniform award emblem normally consisted of a stylised

St Edward's Crown St Edward's Crown is the coronation crown of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, versions of it have traditionally been used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronations since the 13t ...

. The award was renamed from King's Scout to Queen's Scout by April 1952, with the succession and approval of

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

. 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: :AS A KING'S SCOUT you have prepared yourself for service to God and your fellow-men, and have shown yourself a worthy member of the great SCOUT BROTHERHOOD. I wish you God-speed on your journey through life; may it prove for you a joyous adventure.

United Kingdom

The King's Scout Award in the

is the ultimate goal of a progressive award scheme and is achieved by completing the following requirements through

The Scout Association The Scout Association is the largest organisation in the Scout Movement in the Scouting in the United Kingdom, United Kingdom. Following the rapid development of the Scouting, Scout Movement from 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 ...

: * 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 Explorer Scouts, frequently shortened to Explorers, is the fifth section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds. The section was introduced in 2001 and formally launched in February 2002, alongside Scout Networ ...

or the

Scout Network The Scout Network is the sixth and final youth section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, catering for those aged between 18 and 25 years. The section was formally introduced in February 2002 alongside Explorer Scouts (The Scout Asso ...

or both for at least 18 months. * Complete 18 nights away as an

Explorer Scout Explorer Scouts, frequently shortened to Explorers, is the fifth section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds. The section was introduced in 2001 and formally launched in February 2002, alongside Scout Network ...

or member of the

, of which 12 must be

camping Camping is a form of outdoor recreation or outdoor education involving overnight stays with a basic temporary shelter such as a tent. Camping can also include a recreational vehicle, sheltered cabins, a permanent tent, a shelter such as a Bivy bag ...

. * 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 The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (commonly abbreviated DofE) is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, which has since expanded to 144 nations. The awards recognise adolescents and ...

, 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.

and members of the

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. Upon the succession of King

Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and ...

in September 2022, the award in the United Kingdom was renamed "King's Scout". The first King's Scout in England was awarded to patrol leader Victor Watkins, of

Broadstone, Dorset Broadstone is a suburb and electoral ward of Poole in Dorset, England. It is located from Hamworthy railway station and from Bournemouth International Airport. The ward had a population of 10,289 at the 2021 census. Since 1840, Broadstone ...

, on or before January 1910. The first person to hold both the Queen's Guide Award and the Queen's Scout Award was Susan Parker of 1st Brantham Panthers Venture Scout Unit in 1980.

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 (Pioneering and/or Survival Skills), ** 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 Approval may be required from the youth member's unit council, the district venturer council or a separate examiner. This peer review aims to maintain good standards for the award. A number of the requirements of the Venturer Scout Award Scheme, and thus the peak award itself, are mapped to competencies in the

Australian Qualifications Framework The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) specifies the standards for educational qualifications in Australia. It is administered nationally by the Australian Government's Department of Education, with oversight from the States and Terri ...

(AQF), which allows award recipients to apply for several nationally-recognised qualifications in vocational areas such as Business, Active Volunteering and Outdoor Recreation. An adult leader who has earned the King's Scout Badge, the Queen's Scout Badge or the Queen's Scout Award (as a youth member) 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

when he accepted the Royal Patronage of the Scout Association of Australia.

Canada

Initially the King's Scout Award,

Scouts Canada Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association that provides programs for young people ages 5 to 26. It aims "to help develop well-rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world." Scouts Canada, in affiliation with the French-language ...

changed the Queen's Scout Award (during the reign of Queen

) into the

Queen's Venturer Award The King's Venturer Award (formerly Queen's Venturer Award) is the highest Scouting proficiency award for Venturer Scouts in Scouts Canada that can be regularly awarded, as the Amory Adventure Award is only awarded to one venturer company each ye ...

in 1968, when the Scout programme was divided into the Scout and Venturer programmes. The award is presented to venturers who have acquired competence and skills that will be of considerable use to themselves, their company, and their community. These venturers will have also been recognized by the company, the advisor, and Scouts Canada as being worthy of receiving the award. The certificate is signed by the

governor general of Canada The governor general of Canada () is the federal representative of the . The monarch of Canada is also sovereign and head of state of 14 other Commonwealth realms and resides in the United Kingdom. The monarch, on the Advice (constitutional la ...

, in the official capacity as the Chief Scout of Canada.

Hong Kong

The Queen's Scout award was awarded in

Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...

for the Venture Scout section before 1 April 1997. The Royal Certificate (Queen's Scout Award certificate) was awarded in the Hong Kong Scout Rally or on

St George's Day Saint George's Day is the Calendar of saints, feast day of Saint George, celebrated by Christian churches, countries, regions, and cities of which he is the Patronages of Saint George, patron saint, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bu ...

(before 1987), by the

Governor of Hong Kong The governor of Hong Kong was the representative of the United Kingdom, British The Crown, Crown in British Hong Kong, Hong Kong from 1843 to 1997. In this capacity, the governor was president of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, Executiv ...

. A Scout Leader who was awarded the Queen's Scout Award could have worn a Queen's Scout Leader's insignia on their uniform. After 1997, it was replaced with the HKSAR Scout Award. The name of the current award was revised again in 2008, due to the outbreak of

SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the virus SARS-CoV-1, the first identified strain of the SARS-related coronavirus. The first known cases occurred in November 2002, and the ...

in Hong Kong, to the Dragon Scout Award.

Malaysia

Until 1957, Malaya was part of the British Empire, and scouts may have been earned the King's Scout or Queen's Scout Award. Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom, Malaysia's King's Scout Award is conferred in the name of the Royal Patron of the Scouts Association of Malaysia, His Majesty the

Yang di-Pertuan Agong The King of Malaysia, officially ''Yang di-Pertuan Agong'' ( Jawi alphabet, Jawi: ), is the constitutional monarch and Figurehead, ceremonial head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957, when the Federation of Malaya gained ...

(unofficially, the King of Malaysia). The King's Scout Certificate is signed by His Majesty the

of Malaysia and all the sultans in Malaysia.

New Zealand

The first King's Scout in

was Sergeant Rennie, First Woolston Troop; and given to be the first scout in Australasia. Venturer section members were eligible to achieve the King's Scout Badge, then from 1952, the Queen's Scout Award. It included completing modules on road safety, environmental awareness, personal development and community service. In 2020, the award was renamed as the Queen's Scout Kauri Award.

Singapore

Until 1963,

Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...

was part of the British Empire, then becoming part of Malaysia, and in 1965, becoming its own republic. Before 1965, scouts earned the King's Scout (1926–1951) or Queen's Scout (1952–1966) Awards. After independence, the award was renamed the 'President's Scout Award' in 1967. This award is separate to the Rover Scout section's Award.

South Africa

Scouts in

earned the King's Scout (1910–1951) or Queen's Scout (1952–1961) Awards. Upon becoming the Republic of South Africa on 31 May 1961, the award's name and insignia was changed to the Springbok Award.

References

{{Reflist Scout and Guide awards The Scout Association Scouting and Guiding in Australia