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Top awards for young people

From your first Chief's Scout Award to The King's Scout Award, anything is possible.

Our Top Awards are designed to be challenging, relevant and rewarding, but, most of all, they should allow young people to have fun, make new friends and gain some amazing memories in Scouts.

From the Chief Scout’s Acorn Award in Squirrels to taking on the Explorer Belt and King’s Scout Award, each of our Top Awards shows you’ve tried new things, been dedicated to learning new skills, developed resilience and determination and built your confidence. All our Top Awards are a really big achievement, and you should be proud.

Here you’ll find inspiration, guidance and great ideas to help get you started on your first or next Top Awards adventure.

 

 

Top Award webinars and resources

Check out our webinars and resources to learn more about the Top Awards, including how you can make them more inclusive, accessible and achievable.  

Go to webinars and resources >
Awards for each section

Start with your membership badge, then aim for your Chief Scout Award, while gaining Activity Badges and Staged Badges along the way.

Awards for each Scouts section >
Chief Scout's Awards for all sections

The Chief Scout's Acorn, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Awards are the highest awards in each of the sections, from Squirrels to Explorers.

Chief Scout's Awards >
Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE)

There are three awards, which are Bronze, Silver and Gold. These awards give young people the chance to make friends, have fun and build their confidence. This is for Explorer and Network Scouts.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award >
The King Scout's Award (KSA)

This is the top achievement for Scouts. This award is closely linked to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, so it's worth considering working on the two awards together. This is for Explorer and Network Scouts.

King's Scout Award >
Young Leader’s Scheme and Award

Our Young Leader’s Scheme and Young Leader Award is for older Scouts who volunteer in younger sections. This award is for Explorer Scouts.

Explorer Scout Young Leaders' Scheme >
Explorer Belt Award

The Explorer Belt’s a challenge of a lifetime. It's a chance to take part in an expedition that gives you a real understanding of a different country, its culture and way of life. This award is for Explorer and Network Scouts.

Explorer Belt >
Scouts of the World Award (SOWA)

Provided by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), this award gives members the chance to run a project of their choice, with one of three themes. This award is for Network Scouts.

Scouts of the World Award >
The Gateway Award

The Gateway Award is for anybody with a learning disability. There is no age limit, and it's open to people of all abilities. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Learn more about the Gateway Award >
Top Awards opportunities

Find opportunities for all sections of your Top Awards, like expeditions and residentials.

Check out the opportunities >
Scouts and employability

The skills you gain from our Top Awards and Scouts are exactly the kinds of skills employers are looking for. 

Discover our Employability advice >