Exploring the unknown on journey to peak award
Published Mon 21 Oct 2024
Leadership, teamwork, initiative, tenacity and dedication – Scouts need all these things if they are going to achieve the Australian Scout Award.
On Saturday, 70 Scouts who have done just that received their peak awards at two ceremonies at the newly-renovated Baden-Powell Activity Centre.
The award, considered the pinnacle of Scouting for teens aged 11-14, requires recipients to complete many specific goals, including:
- Milestone 3
- Stage progressions in Outdoor Adventure Skills
- Special Interest Area projects
- An Adventurous Journey of at least three days and two nights
- A weekend personal development course
- Personal reflection.
Australian Scout Award Honour Roll
State Commissioner (Scouts) Craig Kokay commended the recipients on their achievements.
“The Scouts being awarded had embarked on an adventure that challenged them physically, mentally and socially. Their journey is not just about earning badges; it’s about developing skills, building friendships and creating lasting memories,” he said.
“The Australian Scout Award encourages us to step outside our comfort zones, to try new things and to push our boundaries. Throughout this process we learn valuable life skills – leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and resilience – that will serve us well beyond our time in Scouts.”
Scouts showed their individuality through a range of Special Interest Area projects and had new experiences and made memories on their chosen Adventurous Journeys. Read some of them below.
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Lillie Bishop I learnt how to forge, shape and sharpen a kitchen knife from carbon steel, then make, attach and shape a timber handle with a blacksmith. I also crocheted stuffed animals for unwell children. |
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Leo Fernandez We had to implement our emergency plan during our Adventurous Journey from Mt Kuring-gai to Crosslands. We were complimented by the fireys for giving the exact coordinates when we implemented our emergency plan. |
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Thomas Keane I survived a massive downpour and storm whilst covered in leeches with my fellow Scouts. While we could have abandoned the hike, we discussed it and decided to push on and finish what we started. |
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Sam Pickard For one of my SIA projects, I had a five-day sailing experience on the tall ship South Passage. I learned to sail, navigate, work in a team and survive on board for five days. |
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Hayden Smith On my Adventurous Journey, we were able to take a short walk from our campsite and see a brilliant view from the top of Mount Wondabyne, as well as passing by waterfalls and over a suspension bridge. |
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Hannah Suthers As I moved house and Scouts Groups when I was close to completing my ASA, I was able to share my Adventurous Journey and skills with Scouts from both my old Scout Group and my new one. |
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Cobalt Walsh I did most of my SIAs during lockdown – I grew a herb and vegie garden, studied Turkish culture, learned to play the ukelele, studied coding, and ran online trivia/Kahoot nights for eight groups to bring people together. Read about Cobalt’s Adventurous Journey on the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory |
