1. LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE
The Queens Scout Award
LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE

2. Introduction LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE
The QSA is the culmination of everything a young person does as a youth member in Scouting
The Queen’s Scout Award is for Explorer Scouts aged 16 and over, and Scout Network members.
The Gold DofE programme is equivalent to the five Queen’s Scout Award Challenges (Service, Skill, Physical, Expedition and Residential).
5 minutes
Review the answers from the previous task and outline the following key points.
Individuals who have completed their DofE Gold Award therefore do not need to repeat these challenges in order to achieve their Queen’s Scout Award, however they will need to complete the additional Scouting specific requirements of the Queen’s Scout Award.
Individuals who have not completed their Chief Scout Diamond Award or their DofE Silver Award are required to complete an extra six months in either the Service or the longer of the Skills or Physical challenges.
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3. Award Schemes Chief Scout’s Bronze (Beavers) Silver (Cubs)
Gold (Scouts)
Platinum Award
(Explorer Scouts)
linked to Bronze D of E Award
Diamond Award
linked to Silver D of E Award
Queen Scout’s Award
linked to Gold D of E
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4. The Requirements
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5. 2014 Changes to the Award LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE
Pre 2014 Requirements
Post 2014 Requirements
Registration
Register your intention to complete the Award here.
Activities (including the membership requirement) can count towards the award from the date of registration and back dated up to a maximum of 3 months (but not before your 16th birthday).
Membership
Be aged between 16 and 25 years old and have been a member of Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network (or both) for at least 18 months. This can include time counted towards the Chief Scout’s Platinum or Diamond Awards.
Award participants must: • Be aged between 16 and 25 years old • Be a member of Explorer Scouts or Scout Network (or both) for at least 18 months • Be a member of Explorer Scouts or Scout Network at the time you complete the award
Nights Away
Complete 18 nights away as an Explorer Scout or member of the Scout Network, of which 12 must be camping (this may include nights counted towards the Chief Scout’s Platinum or Diamond Awards). See the ‘Additional Information’ section for more information.
Complete 18 nights away within Scouting, of which 12 must be camping.
(Nights away achieved through activities as part of the QSA or Chief Scout’s Awards including the practice and final expedition, residential experience or anything else achieved in completion of an IEV requirement are excluded.
It can now include any nights away undertaken as a Young Leader/Adult volunteer with another section.)
LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE

6. 2014 Changes to the Award LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE
International, Environmental, Values List
Complete two activities from the International, Environmental and Values list. These should be different activities from the Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awards, and from two different areas. The old list can be found at the bottom of this page.
Complete six activities, two from each topic area.
If you have the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award you only need to complete four activities, and if you have the Chief Scout’s Diamond Award you only need to complete two. These should be different from the ones already completed for the other awards.
Challenges
Hold a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award OR Complete the 5 Queen’s Scout Award Challenges
Complete the five Queen’s Scout Award challenges or hold the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE).
• Skill
Take up a skill for 6 or 12* months, and show progress and lasting interest. The skill can be an existing interest or something entirely new.
• Physical activity
Take up a physical activity for 6 or 12* months, completing an agreed programme by taking part and achieving your objectives.
• Physical Activity
• Service
Provide service to an individual or the community for 12 months. Briefing and training should be given in order to gain the necessary skills. This may include helping with another section of the movement as an Explorer Scout Young Leader or adult volunteer.
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7. 2014 Changes to the Award LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE Expedition
Undertake a 4-day and 3-night expedition in open or adventurous country by foot, cycle, horse, canoe, boat or dinghy. The expedition should involve careful preparation, training, responsibility and review.
Training framework: Show that you are competent in the following areas:
First aid and emergency procedures - Risk assessment/health and safety - Navigation and route planning
Camp craft, equipment and hygiene - Food and cooking
Country, highway and water sports codes - Observation, recording and presentation - Team building
Proficiency in mode of travel
Practice
Undertake a minimum of 3 days and 2 nights (consecutive) expedition in wild country by foot, cycle, horse, canoe, boat or dinghy.
Final
Undertake a 4-day and 3-night (consecutive) qualifying expedition with an aim in wild country by the method used in your practice.
• Residential
Undertake a 5-day and 4-night residential project in an unfamiliar environment with people who are not known to you. This project could be environmental work, activity- based, service to others or personal training.
Undertake a 5 day and 4 night residential project in an unfamiliar environment where the majority of people are not known to you. This project could be environmental work, activity based, service to others or personal training. In exceptional circumstances, the residential can be done on 2 occasions, as long as the same activity is completed.
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8. 2014 Changes to the Award LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE Notes
If for any reason someone has to drop out then it is not possible for a non-Member to take their place in the expedition.
All members should complete 12 months in either the skill or the physical activity challenges. Explorer Scouts and members of the Scout Network who are not holders of a Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or the Chief Scout’s Diamond Award must complete an extra 6 months in either the service or the longer of the skills or physical recreation challenges.
*All members should complete 12 months in either the skill or the physical activity challenges.
Award participants who are not holders of a Chief Scout’s Diamond Award or Silver DofE must complete an extra 6 months in either the service or the longer of the skills or physical recreation challenges.
Presentation
Make a presentation, to a suitable audience, of your achievements in working towards the Queen’s Scout Award.
Make a presentation covering all elements of your award to a suitable audience, with the aim of inspiring and motivating others to achieve the award. The presentation should be the final activity you complete.
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9. Registration, Log Book & Onwards
Register your intention to complete the Award here. Activities (including the membership requirement) can count towards the award from the date of registration and back dated up to a maximum of 3 months (but not before your 16th birthday).
THE QUEEN’S SCOUT WORKING PARTY (QSWP)
The QSWP is a national Scout Active Support Unit and membership only open to those who have gained their Queen's Scout Award. More information about the QSWP and how to join can be found on their website. The Queen's Scout Working Party website (external link)
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10. Useful Links LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE Registration
Register your intention to complete the Award here.
QSA Information
General information on the QSA award here
QSA support materials
Support material here
QSA Log Book
QSA Log book (PDF form download) here
Reach the Top
Reach the Top guide for Explorer Scouts, Scout Network members, Leaders and Commissioners here
The Queens Scout Working Party (QSWP) here
LIFE CHANGING ADVENTURE