The main awards
of The Chief Scout's Platinum, Chief Scout's Diamond and The Queen's Scout Award are
linked to a Duke of Edinburgh Award. If you haven't already done so, you should
consider registering for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award now. It will give you extra
recognition for your achievements in Scouting.
To obtain a Chief Scout's Awards or The Queen's Scout Award you need to either hold the DofE Award at the appropriate level or complete four challenges. The four challenges for each of the main Awards are exactly the same as the sections of the D of E Awards, namely:
· Skills · Physical Recreation · Service · Expedition ·
There is an extra challenge of a five-day residential experience for The Queen's Scout Award (and Gold DofE Award).
So, for the sake of a few pounds for purchasing a DofE Record Book, you can have two Awards instead of one, hence a BOGOF, i.e. you get the Chief Scout Award automatically without having to repeat all those challenges. There are just three more challenges for the appropriate Scout Award: 1) completing a number of nights away, and 2 & 3) completing two challenges, one from either of the International, Environment or Values list to be found on pages 70-71 of the Explorer Scout Navigator file. If you are doing your DofE through your school, you can still claim your appropriate C.S. or Q.S. Award on presentation of your DofE certificate. Tell your Explorer Scout Leader and register the fact with your District DofE Adviser.
Go on, go for it. You will not regret it when you are applying for University or employment when you present your certificates for the Awards you have gained, but you may come to regret never having done it later in life.
If you need any help getting started, talk to your Explorer Scout Leader, or contact the County D of E Advisor
