Australian Scout award scheme
Grant O'Neil (oneig@SEA.WA.EDU.AU)
Wed, 3 Apr 1996 16:53:00 PST
Mark A. Michalski wrote:
>Grant,
>Here is a short synopsis of our ranks structure in the BSA:
>
>The ranks are as follows:
>Scout
>Tenderfoot
>Second Class
>First Class
>Star
>Life
>Eagle
>
<snip details on requirements for levels>
In replying I decided that others on the list may also be interested to
compare the award scheme we have here. I will begin by pointing out that it
is a couple of years since I have worked in Cubs and Scouts; I think the
general requirements are still much the same, but I may be incorrect in some
more detailed points; if any of you other Aussies out there notice I have
got something wrong, please correct me... To save going over the details of
the scouting sections in Australia I will refer you to
http://www.fcollins.com.au/Scouts/index.html, where they are each listed,
along with a lot of other information that may be of interest.
There are additional awards available in each section to those I will refer
to, I am only covering the main features of the award scheme. I am hoping
that sometime in the future this area can be covered in greater detail on
the Australian Scouts Homepage, including pictures of each badge and
requirements etc. - sort of an on-line handbook (how about it, Alistair?
give me a call sometime 249-4083 to discuss it)
Joey Scouts:
There is no award scheme for Joey scouts (BTW, for those who did not know, a
Joey is a baby kangaroo; hence the Joey motto of HOP, meaning Help Other
People)
Cub Scouts:
There are three award levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold Boomerang. For each of
these badges there are a number of requirements in different areas that need
to be met. These include some optional requirements and compulsory
requirements covering law and promise and citizenship. There are also a
range of interest badges called "Achievement Badges"; each badge is
available in three levels of difficulty (originally they were related to age
groups e.g. red badges for 8 year olds, blue badges for 9YO and green for
10yo, but I understand this is no longer the case and a cub can work towards
whatever level suits their ability)
Scouts:
Initially there is the Scoutcraft badge, that is probably somewhat
equivalent to the tenderfoot - covers basic scouting skills, first aid,
knots, camping etc.
Next are three award levels - Pioneer (red), Explorer (blue), and Adventurer
(green). These awards are a round badge, about 2.5" in the appropriate
colour with a yellow fleur-de-lis in the centre and the title embroidered
across the bottom. For each level you must earn three "Target" badges;
Citizenship, Campcraft and one other from a range of about 5 (the only ones
I can recall at the moment are Air Activities and Water Activities) Each
target badge is about round, 1" diameter and in the appropriate colour with
a picture representing what the badge is for (e.g. map of Australia for
citizenship, tent for campcraft etc.)
With each award level it is also possible to earn a "cord" - a plaited
lanyard in the appropriate colour worn under the shoulder strap. To earn the
each cord, the scout must have earned the appropriate level, take part in a
"patrol activity" and earn two "challenge" badges (i.e. to earn the red cord
one patrol activity and two challenge badges; for green cord three patrol
activities and six challenge badges) Challenge badges are basically interest
badges; covering areas such as sportsman, communicator, collector etc.
Venturers:
First award is Discovery award - basically a Venturer level tenderfoot
equivalent (overnight hike including suitable preparation etc., basic first
aid)
The other awards are Venturer Award and Queen Scout. For each of these
awards there are eight activity areas: Citizenship, Environment, Expedition,
Expression, Fitness, Ideals, Pursuits and Service. In each activity area
there are a set of "Venturer award level" requirements and "Queen Scout
award level" requirements. To achieve Venturer award, a venturer must meet
venturer award requirements in 5 activity areas including expedition and
service, plus complete a weekend initiative course. To earn the Queen scout
a venturer must compete the remaining three activity areas to venturer award
standard, plus four activity areas including service to queen scout
standard. they must also pass a weekend (Friday night to Sunday afternoon)
leadership course, after which the award must be approved by the venturer
unit council, District commissioner (who interviews the venturer) and branch
headquarters.
Rovers:
Here I really don't know much at all, having never been a Rover myself. The
main award for Rovers is the Baden Powell award; from what I understand of
this award it could perhaps be compared to an advanced version of the Queen
Scout award.
Hope this throws some light on scouting downunder for you...
YiS
Grant O'Neil
2nd Ballajura Venturer Unit
Swan Valley District
Western Australia
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