Below is summary of the minimum requirements for each level of the Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and for each of the areas of activity – Service, Physical Recreation, Skill, Adventurous Journey. As a reference you may download the Award Programme Information Sheet.

Detailed information on the Programme Guidelines can be found in the International Handbook held with the Award Leader or you may contact our Regional Office for your area.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• The participant must show regular participation and commitment in the level, and in each of the sections (Service, Skill, Physical Recreation), averaging at least an hour or more a week.
• The Programme has minimum requirements and a participant may do more than what is required but not less.
• The activity coach or Assessor must be independent. Therefore they cannot be a family member.
• It is important to discuss your plans and choice of activities with your Award Leader before you start as not to waste time on activities which won’t count or don’t fit into the right section.
• An activity may not be used for more than one section.
• It is advisable to maintain a journal/record sheet where your regular participation in each activity is recorded and verified by the adult supervisor on duty.
• A participant must have completed the current level they are enrolled on before their 25th birthday.
• Service must be to the benefit of those in need and a participant may not be paid for services rendered.

SECTIONS:

Service:   Aim – To learn how to give useful service to others.

Skill:   Aim – To encourage the development of personal interests and practical skills.

Physical Recreation:   Aim – To encourage participation in physical recreation and improvement of performance.

Adventurous journey:   Aim – To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery whilst undertaking a journey in a group.

The following are adventurous journey requirements that need to be met in ALL three levels.

• The activity must be a JOURNEY with a clearly defined purpose. It may not be a camp based activity.
• The team needs to be no fewer than four and no more than seven young people, operating independently of others (a team in SA may consist of a few more than seven). Not all the young people need to be completing the award but need to be peer group equals, making decisions together.
• The group must be involved in the planning and preparation of the journey.
• All journeys should be supervised and assessed by experienced adults.
• The environment chosen must be unfamiliar to the participants.
• Accommodation to be in portable tents or other simple self-catering accommodation such as huts or similar shelters.
• The team must prepare and cook their own food.
• The journey can take place on land or water. The team can travel by their own efforts (foot, cycle, paddle, oar, etc.) or by animal (horse, donkey, camel, etc) or by other non-motorised assistance (sail, etc).
• On completion of their journey the participant is required to provide a report on their experience.
• Purposeful effort means time spent towards accomplishing the purpose of the journey. Time associated with sleeping, cooking and eating is in addition to this time.

BRONZE LEVEL

• Minimum starting age is 14.
• Minimum completion period of 6 months.
• The minimum age a participant can receive their Bronze Award is 14 and a half and should remain active in the level until this age.
• The participant must complete the requirements in each of the four (4) Sections below:

1. SERVICE

At least 24 hours of regular service over three months.

2. PHYSICAL RECREATION

Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement over 3 months.

3. SKILL

Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement over 3 months.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, A PARTICIPANT MUST DO AN EXTRA 3 MONTHS IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE SECTIONS SERVICE, PHYSICAL RECREATION OR SKILL. (This makes up the minimum participation period of six months.)

4. ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY

Minimum duration: 2 consecutive days and 1 night.

6 hours of purposeful effort each day: –

Walk – 24km, or

Cycling – 80km, or

Horseback – 48km, or

Canoeing – 4 hrs per day, or

Sailing – 6 hrs per day.

SILVER LEVEL

• Minimum starting age is 15.
• Minimum completion period is 6 months for Bronze Award Holders and 12 months for Non-Bronze Award Holders.
• The minimum age a participant can receive their Silver Award is 15 and a half for a Bronze Award holder, and 16 for a direct Silver entrant.
• The participant must complete the requirements in each of the four (4) Sections below.

1. SERVICE

At least 48 hours of regular service over 6 months.

2. PHYSICAL RECREATION

Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement over 6 months.

3. SKILL

Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement over 6 months.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE A NON-BRONZE AWARD HOLDER MUST DO AN EXTRA 6 MONTHS IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE SECTIONS SERVICE, PHYSICAL RECREATION OR SKILL. (This makes up the minimum participation period of twelve months.)

4. ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY

Minimum duration: 3 consecutive days and 2 nights.

7 hours purposeful effort each day:-

Walk – 48km, or

Cycling – 145km, or

Horseback – 96km, or

Canoeing – 5 hrs per day, or

Sailing – 7 hrs per day.

GOLD LEVEL

• Minimum starting age 16.
• Minimum completion period is 12 months for Silver Awards Holders and 18 months for Non-Silver Award Holders.
• The minimum age a participant can receive their Gold Award is 17 for a Silver Award holder, and 17 and a half for a direct Gold entrant.
• The participant must complete the requirements in each of the five (5) Sections below.
• Please note the additional section in the Gold Level.

1. SERVICE
At least 72 hours of regular service over 12 months.

2. PHYSICAL RECREATION

Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement over 12 months.

3. SKILL
Select an activity and show regular effort and improvement over 12 months.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE A NON-SILVER AWARD HOLDER MUST DO AN EXTRA 6 MONTHS IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE SECTIONS SERVICE, PHYSICAL RECREATION OR SKILL. (This makes up the minimum participation period of eighteen months.)

4. ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY

Minimum duration: 4 consecutive days and 3 nights.

8 hours of purposeful effort each day: –

Walk – 80km, or

Cycling – 225km, or

Horseback – 160km, or

Canoeing – 6 hrs per day, or

Sailing- 8 hrs per day

5. RESIDENTIAL PROJECT

Aim: To broaden experience through involvement with others in a residential setting.

A participant is required to undertake a shared purposeful activity, with people who are not their usual colleagues or friends, in an unfamiliar residential setting.

• Duration of project must be at least 5 consecutive days and 4 nights.
• The activity must be purposeful – it is not a holiday!