The Scouter-in-Training Award
A proposal for an addition to the Venturer Program
Rational
Many Venturers want to be Scouters-in-Training in junior sections, in some cases as a continuation of being a Kim. These Venturers may be dissuaded, however, by their desire to earn the Queen's Venturer Award. Completing the requirements for the QVA takes considerable time and may prevent the Venturer from being a Scouter-in-Training. The Venturer loses an activity in which they is interested and Scouting loses a potential Scouter.
To solve this problem, I proposed that a new award be created for Venturers which I will refer to for the purposes of this paper as the Scouter-in-Training Award (SITA). The SITA would be a "fourth route" to satisfying the Section A requirements of the Queen's Venturer Award along with the Venturer Award, the Outdoorsman Award, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (Silver).
Outline of the SITA
There are two levels to the SITA, Experience and Specialization. Both parts can be earned in all of the three junior sections. One can work on only one level and section of the award at once.
The Experience level requires three months of involvement with the section in addition to other requirements. This part must be earned for all three sections before moving on to the Specialization level.
After completing the Experience level for all three sections, the Venturer can choose a section in which to specialize. The Specialization level requires ten months of involvement with the section in addition to other requirements. Completing the Specialization Level would fulfil the Section A requirements for the Queen's Venturer Award.
Experience Level
This award is earned by completing the requirements below for any of the junior sections (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts). One can earn this award for all three sections but one can only work on one section at a time.
- Be a currently registered Venturer and a registered Activity Leader or Scouter-in-Training.
- Hold St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid.
- Keep a record of activities as a Venturer and as a Scouter-in-Training or Activity Leader.
- Be an active member of the Scouter Team of the section for three months attending section nights, events, and Scouters' meetings. Months, such as July, where the section does not hold regular meetings, cannot be counted.
- Be responsible for the planning and operation of at least three games and three non-game programs, such as a craft or skill session.
- Participate as a Scouter-in-Training in at least two non-section night events such as camps, hikes, or trips to special places. In Cubs and Scouts, one of these must be a camp of at least one night. Run at least one activity of any kind at both events.
- Attend a group committee meeting and report on the activities of the section.
Specialization Level
After the Venturer has completed the Experience Level for all three junior sections, they may choose one of the three junior sections in which to specialize. Work done before completing the Experience Level in all sections may not be counted towards the Specialization level, except training courses. The Venturer must complete the following in the chosen section:
- Be a currently registered Venturer and a registered Activity Leader or Scouter-in-Training.
- Hold St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid.
- Keep a record of activities as a Venturer and as a Scouter-in-Training or Activity Leader.
- Be an active member of the Scouter Team of the section for ten months attending section nights, events, and Scouters' meetings. Months, such as July, where the section does not hold regular meetings, cannot be counted.
- Be involved in making long, medium, and short term plans for the section.
- Be responsible for one element of the administration of the section, such as recording the collection of dues or keeping track of completed badge work.
- Be responsible for the planning and operation of at least ten games and ten non-game programs, such as a craft or skill session.
- Participate as a Scouter-in-Training in at least six non-section night events such as camps, hikes, or trips to special places. In Cubs and Scouts, two of these must be camps of at least one night. Run at least one activity of any kind at all these events.
- If in a Beaver colony, be involved in the planning and operation of a Beaver Sleepover. If in a Cubs or Scouts, be involved in the planning and operation of a camp of at least four nights. This requirement may be completed as a staff member at a summer camp.
- Help plan two ceremonies such as investitures or going up ceremonies.
- Be part of planning an activity for the section that will be lead by members of the Venturer Company, such as a New Years' Party. If working with a Scout Troop, this could be a linking activity between the Troop and the Venturer Company.
- Visit the colony, pack, or troop of another group to find out how there section is different from the one you are a Scouter-in-Training at. Run an activity for this other section.
- Attend three group committee meetings and report on the activities and progress of the section.
- Take the Wood Badge Part I course for your section or the Scouts Canada Scouter-in-Training Course.
- Take at least one other of the training courses in addition to First Aid which will develop your ability to be a Scouter. Possibilities include How to Talk so Kids with Listen, Project Wild, Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion or Cross, and youth leadership courses.
- Attend a meeting of the district or area support team and find out how section support works in your region.
- Attend at least two Sharing Sessions, Old Wolves' Club meetings, or Scouters' Club meetings, if such meetings happen in your district.
- Attend a district or regional council meeting to see how Scouting is organized at the District level.
Appearance of Award
The completed Scouting-in-Training Award will be a circle made up of four badges like pieces of a pie. The top half of the circle is the specialization. This badge will contain the emblem of the section specialized in, the Venturer emblem, and an arrowhead, representing leadership. The bottom half of the circle will be made up of three pie piece-shaped badges each containing the emblem of one junior section.
