Scout Awards
Until a new programme is introduced, many scout troops are continuing to use the programme of Scouting Ireland (CSI). Some other troops continue to use the programme of Scouting Ireland S.A.I., which includes the Attainment badge scheme.
In the former CSI programme, in addition to merit badges, the programme has a progress award scheme consisting of five awards. The first award is the Tracker Award. It is completed before a scout is invested. It requires scouts to have a basic knowledge of scoutcraft (navigation, ropework and cooking), show a commitment to their patrol and troop and to understand certain aspects of scouting (uniform, promise, law, award scheme, scouting trail etc). The tracker award badge (a green diamond with a stag on it) is the first badge a scout can earn. After this scouts can continue the award scheme
The next step is the Explorer Award. This award is considered the standard of scouting skills. It has several sections (Scouting Knowledge, Scoutcraft, campcraft, pathfinding, health, cooking, culture,community, duty to beliefs). Most of the requirements can be completed during patrol/troop activities. The Court of Honour decides if the scout deserves the award. The explorer award is a red diamond with a compass on it.
The third part is the star scout award. To earn the award you need:
- The explorer award (or certain combinations of the explorer award sections)
- Camper and Emergencies merit badges
- either the hiker, water activities or air activities badges
- 7 other merit badges (1 each from campcraft, scoutcraft, service, adventure, faith/environment, Physical Ability)
- Either the faith or scripture badge
- to take part in a county event
The star scout badge is a black diamond with a yellow staff on it. It is usually presented in a ceremony.
The fourth part is the National Scout Award. To take part a scout needs to apply to National Office. The requirements for the NSA are as follows:
- Star Scout Award
- Leadership Award
- Hike Leader or Camp Leader badge
- Social Awareness or Conservation badge
- World Friendship badge
- Participate in a national event
When applying scouts need to submit 3 hike logs or 2 camp logs and the social awareness/conservation badge work. The NSA is always presented in a ceremony.
The four badges combined to make a large diamond as illustrated. The final part is the Chief Scout's Award which is considered the highest honour a scout can get.
There's also the Leadership award which tests the leadership ability of the scouts. This is often earned as part of a PL training course.
Read more about this topic: Scouts (Scouting Ireland)
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Sir Charles: Name one.
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Sir Charles: You’re either married to a boy scout or a dachshund.”
—Blake Edwards (b. 1922)