Awards

As well as taking part in activities, members of Scout Network have the opportunity to work towards four different types of award:

Chief Scout's Diamond and Queen's Scout Awards
Duke of Edinburgh's Awards
Explorer Belt
Partnership Awards

Queen's Scout Award

The Queen's Scout Award is the highest award that can be earned in Scouting. Members who complete the Award are invited to attend the national Queen's Scout parade and service at Windsor Castle, held on or near St George's Day each year. They may also apply to join the Queen's Scout Working Party, which assists at many large-scale Scouting and non-Scouting events around the country.

The Award is closely linked to the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award, and the key requirements are:

Be a member of Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network or both for at least 18 months. This can include any time counted for the Chief Scout's Platinum or Diamond Awards.
Complete 18 nights away as an Explorer Scout or member of the Scout Network, of which 12 must be camping. This may include any nights counted for the Chief Scout's Platinum or Diamond Awards.
Complete two activities from the list of International, Environment and Values activities. These should be different activities from the Chief Scout's Platinum and Diamond Awards and not from the same area.
Hold the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, or complete the five Queen's Scout Award Challenges (which are very similar to the requirements for DofE Gold)
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.

A Resource Pack for participants is now available online, which includes the full requirements of the Award.

Chief Scout's Diamond Award

The Chief Scout's Diamond Award is closely linked to the Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award. The key requirements are:

Be a member of Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network or both for at least 12 months.
Complete 12 nights away as an Explorer Scout or member of the Scout Network, of which eight must be camping.
Complete two activities from the list of International, Environment and Values activities. These should be different activities from the Chief Scout's Platinum Award and not from the same area.
Hold the Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award, or complete the four Diamond Challenges (which are very similar to the requirement for DofE Silver).

The full requirements are available on Scoutbase.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is a national award scheme run by a number of youth organisations and many local authorities and schools. It is also recognised by many employers as a worthwhile addition to a CV.

The Scout Association is a national Operating Authority, which enables members of the Explorer Scout and Scout Network sections to complete the awards through Scouting. Members who have already registered for the Award through another Operating Authority (e.g. School or University) can either transfer their registration to the Scout Association, or can remain registered with the original Operating Authority but complete some or all of the Sections through Scouting.

The DofE Award Scheme is made up of three Awards:

Bronze - for participants aged 14 upwards
Silver - for participants aged 15 upwards
Gold - for participants aged 16 upwards

Each award consists of four sections (five for Gold): Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and Expedition, plus a Residential Project for Gold. Full details of the requirements are available on Scoutbase and on the Award Scheme's website.

In order to participate in the Award scheme, you first have to register for the award and buy the relevant DofE Record Book, before activities can begin to count towards the award. Record books are available through your local Network or through County. You will need to complete a Registration Form, and either your local Network or County can advise the current prices. You have to register before your 23rd Birthday, and all the requirements must be completed by your 25th Birthday.

Explorer Belt

The Explorer Belt is open to Scout Network members and Explorer Scouts over 16. It is a chance to undertake an international expedition over ten days that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people, and way of life. In contrast to DofE and Queen's Scout expeditions, which are about completing a challenging hike (or cycle ride, or other alternatives) and being self-sufficient, the Explorer Belt is about travelling through a different country, learning about it and meeting people on the way. Full details can be found out Scoutbase.

A Group of Network members from Cheltenham & Gloucester and Forest Networks completed an Explorer Belt expedition to Canada in August 2007, and a County-wide expedition to Mdagascar, open to Explorer Scouts and Network members, is planned for August 2009.

Partnership Awards

The Partnership Awards (formerly known as 'Group Awards') are completed by a Group or Unit working together with one or more Partners on a joint project. Partners may be within Scouting or an appropriate external organisation, so for Network could include another local or County Network, a local Explorer Unit, Scout Group, Scout Fellowship, local authority or other group (e.g. a conservation charity).

The three Partnership Awards are International Friendship, Environment, and Faith. Each award should be based around a project, which may be short-term (e.g. a single day) or longer term (spread over several weeks or months). The full requirements are available on Scoutbase.