In Berkshire we aim to support all of our members to achieve their top awards, this page sets out the requirements for those awards and some of the support that is available.
For further information or enquiries:
Contact Programme Team
Chief Scout’s Awards
The Chief Scout’s Bronze,
Silver and Gold Award are the highest awards in the Beaver, Cub and Scout sections respectively. To complete them you need to complete all of the challenge awards for that section, together with a set number (four in Beavers, six in Cubs and Scouts) of activity or staged activity badges of your choice.
The Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awards are progressive, meaning you can achieve these as you work towards the King’s Scout Award. (The Platinum Award is only available to Explorers, while the Diamond Award is available to Explorers and Scout Network members.)
King’s Scout Award
There are few challenges more prestigious than the King’s Scout Award – it’s the highest award available to young people in Scouting. This one really is a badge to wear with pride. You must be aged between 16–25 years old to complete the King’s Scout Award and be a member of Explorers or Scout Network for at least 18 months from the date you started to achieve the award.
Completing Scout and
Duke of Edinburgh awards together
The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Bronze, Silver and Gold awards are an almost perfect match with the Chief Scout’s Platinum, Chief Scout’s Diamond and King’s Scout Awards, with the challenges mirroring the sections of the DofE programme. See also:
DofE Award scheme.
DofE Bronze (14+ years old)
& Chief Scout’s Platinum Award
Volunteering; Physical and skills:
One section for six months and the other sections for three months
Expedition:
Plan, train and complete two days and one night
Chief Scout’s Platinum Award (14–18 year olds)
In addition to the above you need to:
- be a member of Explorers for at least six months;
- complete six nights away, four of which must be camping;
- complete two activities from the Platinum International, Community and Values (ICV) list (each activity should be from a different area).
DofE Silver (15+ years old)
& Chief Scout’s Diamond Award
Volunteering:
six months*
Physical and skills:
One section for six months and the other sections for three months*
Expedition:
Plan, train and complete three days and two nights
Chief Scout’s Diamond Award (14–25 year olds)
In addition to the above you need to:
- be a member of Explorers/Scout Network for at least 12 months;
- complete 12 nights away, eight of which must be camping. This may include the nights counted for the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award;
- complete four activities from the Diamond ICV list. These can include activities from your Chief Scout’s Platinum Award and should include at least one from each area.
* If you didn’t complete your Bronze DofE Award or your Chief Scout’s Platinum Award, you must undertake a further six months in a section for which you are already doing for six months. This will make one section a minimum of 12 months.
DofE Gold (16+ years old)
& King’s Scout Award
Volunteering:
12 months*
Physical and skills:
One section for 12 months and the other sections for six months*
Expedition:
Plan, train and complete four days and three nights
Residential:
Take part in a shared activity in a residential setting away from home
for five days and four nights
King’s Scout Award (16–25 year olds)
In addition to the above you need to:
- be a member of Explorers/Scout Network for at least 18 months;
- complete 18 nights away, 12 of which must be camping;
- complete six activities from the KSA ICV list two from each area. This can include activities completed as part of the ICV list for the Chief Scout’s Platinum or Chief Scout’s Diamond Award. (So, if you have the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award you only need to complete four more activities, and if you have the Chief Scout’s Diamond Award you only need to complete two more activities.);
- As the final activity, give a presentation to a suitable audience, that covers all elements of your award.
*If you haven’t completed your Silver DofE Award or your Chief Scout’s Diamond Award, you must undertake a further six months in a section you are already doing for twelve months. This will make one section a minimum of eighteen months.
Click here for overview of sections
ICV Ideas
Struggling for ideas to complete your ICV activities? See:
ICV Ideas
Additional awards
Explorer Belt
The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime. It involves exploring another country, its culture, customs and way of life. You can take on the challenge as an Explorer or as a Scout Network member. Explorers must complete the Explorer Belt by taking part in a centrally organised trip to ensure they have the support needed as you plan and complete your expedition.
Scouts of the World Award
The Scouts of the World Award (SOWA) is an award shared with over 50 national Scout Associations. In the UK it’s only available to Scout Network members, with the aim of encouraging you to develop and support society, locally or globally. SOWA is provided and supported by The Scout Association, but is managed and delivered by a national Scout Active Support Unit. SOWA enables members to develop a range of skills from project management to planning a voluntary service. Many of these will benefit members both inside and out of Scouting. The experience will show that you can implement change and work to improve the lives or environment of other people.