Programme
This page gives an overview of the Scout Association's balanced programme and the different badges and awards. For details specific to each section see the pages for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.
A balanced programme
At the heart of the Programme lie six areas of personal development: Body, Mind, Faith and Beliefs, Relationships, Community and Surroundings. Leaders help young people to grow and develop in each of these areas by providing a balanced programme of weekly meetings, weekend activities and week-long camps. This page provides an overview of the 6-18 Programme – for full details, please see:
Beaver Scouts - Balanced Programme
Cub Scouts - Balanced Programme
Scout Section - Balanced Programme
Explorer Scouts - Balanced Programme
Beaver Scouts - Badges
Cub Scouts - Badges
Scout Section - Badges
Explorer Scouts - Badges
Programme zones
The Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer section programmes each have a set of Programme Zones, which cover activities in areas such as Outdoors and Adventure, Community, Fitness, Creative Expression, International and Beliefs & Attitude. In planning each Section's programme the Leaders visit each Zone regularly, to ensure that they deliver a programme that is balanced, interesting and fun. Sometimes a meeting night or event will cover activities from just one Zone, while some meetings will draw activities from a variety of Zones. Our Leaders select activities that they feel are appropriate and will appeal to the young people in their Sections.
Each Section has a range of methods that help Leaders to explore each Zone in an imaginative way. While they vary slightly from Section to Section, most Sections include methods that involve playing games, making things, going on visits, helping others, using the outdoors and following themes. The range of Methods helps to bring as much variety as possible into the Programme.
Each Section has a range of methods that help Leaders to explore each Zone in an imaginative way. While they vary slightly from Section to Section, most Sections include methods that involve playing games, making things, going on visits, helping others, using the outdoors and following themes. The range of Methods helps to bring as much variety as possible into the Programme.
Joining-in/participation awards
For taking part in the Programme, young people receive a special badge, awarded on the anniversary of their first Investiture in a Scouting Section. It is a chance to celebrate what has been achieved through their involvement in the Programme. In the Beaver Scout and Cub Scout Sections this is called the Joining-In Award, while in the Scout Section it is known as the Participation Award. In Explorer Scouting the badge is replaced by a certificate, which records the young person's achievements during the year, and looks at the opportunities that exist for the following year.
The challenge awards
Every Section has a number of Challenge Awards. They grow naturally from the activities in the Programme Zones and challenge the young people to use the skills they have learned. By undertaking a Challenge individually, or as a member of a group, members can earn a badge (if they are a Beaver, Cub or Scout) or a certificate (if they are an Explorer). The Challenges in the Explorer Scout and Scout Network Units are compatible with the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.
Activity badges
Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts can all work towards a range of Activity Badges. While these are an optional part of the Programme, they can be used to complement and extend the Balanced Programme. In addition there are six Staged Activity Badges, each with a number of levels that can be taken by any Scout under 18 years of age at any time. They are: IT, Musician, Nights Away, Swimmer, Hikes Away and Emergency Aid.
Group Awards
Group Awards are earned by members from two or more Sections working together. There are three Group Awards: the International Friendship Award, the Environment Award and the Faith Award.
The top awards
All the Sections have a top or key award:
For Beaver Scouts, the top award is the Chief Scout's Bronze Award. To achieve this, a Beaver Scout will need to gain a Challenge Award from each of the Programme Zones.
The top award for a Cub Scout is the Chief Scout's Silver Award. Cubs need to complete all six Challenges to achieve this.
The top award for the Scout Section is the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. Scouts need to gain a Challenge Award from each of the Programme Zones (plus an additional two Challenges from the Outdoor and Adventure Zone).
In the Explorer Scout Section, the three key awards run in parallel with the three Duke of Edinburgh Awards. They are the Chief Scout's Platinum Award, the Chief Scout's Diamond Award and the Queen's Scout Award.
For Beaver Scouts, the top award is the Chief Scout's Bronze Award. To achieve this, a Beaver Scout will need to gain a Challenge Award from each of the Programme Zones.
The top award for a Cub Scout is the Chief Scout's Silver Award. Cubs need to complete all six Challenges to achieve this.
The top award for the Scout Section is the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. Scouts need to gain a Challenge Award from each of the Programme Zones (plus an additional two Challenges from the Outdoor and Adventure Zone).
In the Explorer Scout Section, the three key awards run in parallel with the three Duke of Edinburgh Awards. They are the Chief Scout's Platinum Award, the Chief Scout's Diamond Award and the Queen's Scout Award.
