Venturer Scout's Award Scheme

There are two parts to the Award Scheme. The main part is the general activity that leads from Venturing Skills Award to the Queens Scout Award. The other part is the Major Interest Award that is intended for the Venturer Scout who is heavily involved in a particular sport or activity.

First up the Venturer Scout will need to gain the Venturing Skills certificate and badge. A sponsor will be appointed (either a Unit Council member or an experienced Venturer Scout) who will help the Venturer Scout acquire the basic skills which will allow him/her to enjoy and participate in the outdoor activities that form part of the Venturer Scout program and also explain the award scheme. Previous experience in Scouting can be used to obtain credits for the individual components of Venturing Skills, subject to Unit Council approval.

Venturing Skills Award Requirements

Bushwalking. Prior to participation in and completing a two-day bushwalking expedition demonstrate the following:

The correct equipment to be taken, how it should be packed including clothing, footwear, sleeping gear. Food and water containers and wet and dry gear
How to pitch and strike a tent and fly, explain factors in choosing a tent site and correct care of a tent, fly, poles and pegs during the journey and on returning home
The planning of a menu, including quantities for the expedition in order to achieve a well-balanced meal using lightweight components.
Knowledge of fire precautions and restrictions and the correct way to extinguish a fire. Show how to light a fire in adverse conditions, build and light a fire in the open and cook a well-balanced meal on it. Also show the correct method of rubbish disposal.
How to tie and show the practical use of four knots or rescue devices chosen by the Unit from the Unit’s activities.
How to read a map and orient it by both compass and visible features
Be assessed in the above skills by the Expedition Leader

First Aid (to be completed before the bushwalking expedition)

Be able to explain the major principles of casualty treatment.
Demonstrate the following :
Treatment of hypothermia and hyperthermia
Treatment of major bleeding
C.P.R.
Award Scheme - Be able to explain the award scheme and list those activities which the Venturer Scout may choose to undertake to achieve the Queen’s Scout Award.

Approval of Unit Council

Queen Scout Award Areas

Community Involvement This involves activities centred on citizenship, service and the environment. First aid is a necessary achievement for health and safety in adventurous activities which the Venturer Scouts may find themselves involved.
Adventurous Activities – where the Venturer Scout is challenged in initiative, expeditions and outdoor adventures
Personal Growth - an opportunity for the Venturer Scouts to find out about themselves through expressions, ideals, mental pursuits and their own lifestyle.
Leadership Development - Preparing for adult responsibilities in a democratic society will come from being involved in Unit Management and Leadership courses. A look at vocations gives an opportunity to study employment prospects for the future.
As each of the award areas is completed and approved it will be recognised with the issuing of a badge and a certificate (on the reverse side a standard explanation of the skills and competencies received)

Queens Scout Award Requirements

Aside from being a Venturer Scout , gaining the Venturer Skills Award and completing the requirements of the above award areas, there are much more than just tests. The award is recognised by the community at large as a worthwhile achievement and a certificate is presented by a representative of the Queen. The main point is that the Venturer Scout is recognised as being of good character and a worthy member of the Scout Movement. Therefore, the additional requirements are:

Be recommended by the Unit Council and the Venturer Scout Leader
Be recommended by the Group Leader and the Group Council
Have a personal interview with the District Commissioner or equivalent
After all these are complete the District Commissioner will recommend to the Branch Chief Commissioner that the Queen’s Scout Award be presented.

Major Interest Award Requirements

This recognises a special interest that may have developed or been established under the guidance of an outside organisation. The speciality should be a subject that would come within the range of activities covered by the four Queen’s Scout Award Areas.

Requirements:

With the supporting organisation, set a challenging goal and have it approved in advance by the Unit Council.
Qualify in the supporting organisation’s speciality devoting at least 50 hours to the task. It is expected that the supporting organisation would be responsible for the assessment.
Approval of the Unit Council
Approval of District Venturer Scout Leader (or equivalent).
It is expected that the Venturer Scout will have gained the Queen’s Scout Award or be very close to completion before the Major Interest Award is attempted. However, it is not intended that Venturer Scouts should be prevented from attempting the Major Interest Award simply because they have shown no progress in other aspects of the overall award scheme.