¶ King Scout Award
¶ 🔍 Overview
The King Scout Award is the last top award in Scouting. It is the most difficult award for Explorers and Network looking to challenge themselves, many completing their Platinum and Diamond Awards beforehand, but is not mandatory.
📌 Who is it for? Explorer or Network Scouts (between 16 to 24).
📌 How does it link to DofE? It closely aligns with DofE Gold, meaning you can complete both awards at the same time by using the same activities.
📌 Why should you do it? It develops key skills in leadership, personal development, and adventure, and you are invited to collect your award in Windsor Castle.
¶ ☑️ Requirements
- Be a member of Explorer or Network Scouts for 18 months.
- If you previously earned the Chief Scout Platinum Award or Chief Scout Diamond Award, time spent on that award counts toward this requirement.
- Complete 24 nights away as an Explorer/Network Scout.
- 12 nights must be camping in a tent.
- 12 nights can be indoors or elsewhere.
- Nights away from the Platinum or Diamond Award count towards this.
You cannot use the nights away from your DofE expedition or any activity from your ICV list
- Complete six activities from the International, Community, and Values list for King Scout Award, Two from Platinum, Two from Diamond, Two from KSA, from each topic area (i.e. two from Community)
If you have already completed the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award and Chief Scout Diamond Award, you only need to complete two ICVs for the King Scout Award. If you have not, you must complete two from each list for Platinum and Diamond
I completed my Explorer Belt (International), and I'm planning to complete my Scouts of the World Award (SOWA) (Values) to achieve the ICV requirement. Read them, and choose two you can do.
Your mentor is often your Explorer or Network Scout leader. Speak to them if you have an activity which is not listed.
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Hold the Duke of Edinburgh Gold (This is self-explanatory; complete it and show it on the form that it's been signed off)
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Make a presentation covering all aspects of the award to a suitable audience to inspire others to complete their King Scout Award. (Some good places to do this are at an Explorers unit meeting, network meeting, or even district/county AGM. The possibilities are endless; make sure one of the following is in attendance)
- Adult volunteers in the District 14 – 24 Team
- District, County, Region or Area Youth Lead
- District, County, Region or Area Lead Volunteer
- District, County, Region or Area Programme Team Member
Note: Presentations don't have to last a long time. A recommended amount of time is 30 minutes, which is adequate. Ensure you make your presentation entertaining; no 'death by PowerPoint'!
- Get your award signed off by the following (England):
- County 14-24 Team Leader
- County Programme Team Member
- County Lead Volunteer
You must use the Logbook & Completion Form.
¶ ⌚ Example Timeline
This is a suggested timeline I made, based on my personal experience. Your progress may vary depending on when you start each section.
- 0-6 months: Enrol into DofE
- 6-8 months: Achieve three nights away
- 8-12 months: Achieve ICV 5 and Complete DofE Residential
- 12-13 months: Complete DofE Expedition
- 13-14 months: Achieve ICV 6 and complete three more nights away
- 14-16 months: Achieve DofE Gold & finish King Scout Award
¶ 🧠 Lessons Learned
- If you struggle for ICVs, complete your Scouts of the World (SOWA) award! It counts towards a section in International, Community, or Values. Many can be done in the UK, but most volunteer internationally.
- You are in no rush to complete the award; take your time. You have up to 8 years!
- There are no 'easy' options; it can be incredibly difficult to complete.
- Note what ICVs you want, and write how to achieve them. Do ones that you enjoy.
- National volunteering can help with additional nights away.
- Keep a log of your ICVs and Nights away, and get evidence to prove you meet the requirements.
- If you get stuck, talk to your leader; they can suggest ways to help you.