The Baden-Powell Scout Award (BPSA), or B-P Award, is the highest youth award achievable in the Scout and Guide Movement in several countries. Although, with the withdrawal of the Rover Section from most Scout Associations it has become a less common award, it is still awarded by Guide and Scout Associations in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, New Zealand and in non-World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) associations in the United Kingdom.
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Scouting
Prior to 2014, members of Rovers (Australia) were able to earn the Baden-Powell Scout Award through either of two methods, after completing their Rover Skills Badge, outlined below;
Method A
Method A is the more popular version of the Baden-Powell Scout Award, also known as the "Traditional" Method, as it is more clearly defined with targets for its badges.
Method B
Method B includes the Spiritual Development, Intellectual & Emotional Development, Social Development and Physical Development Badges.
New Baden-Powell Scout Award
At the start of 2014, a new version of the Baden-Powell Scout Award was introduced. All Rovers who had already started the old version of the award (Method A or Method B) were given the choice to either continue with the old award or transfer their completed badges to the new award scheme. The new Baden-Powell Scout Award is broken up into two levels: the St. George Award and the Baden-Powell Scout Award
The St. George Award is made up of four badges: Squire Training, Rover Skills, Service and Physical. A Rover must complete the Squire Training badge before they can start any other badge, but most Rover Crews will have their new Rovers (Squires) complete this badge before they are fully invested into the Rover Crew.
The Baden-Powell Scout Award involves the completion of four components: the St. George Award, the Community Development badge, the Personal Growth badge and the Self-Reflection Interview.
Guiding
In Girl Guides, participants have the option of completing two different versions of the award, the Junior BP and the BP. Both awards involve the completion of activities (chosen by the guide) in the following categories: Promise and Law, Outdoors, Patrol System, Service, World Guiding and Guiding traditions. In the Junior BP, Guides must complete a total of 12 activities, in the BP they must complete 18. In both awards, the Guide receives an Endeavor badge when they are halfway through.
The Junior BP and BP serve as preparation for the Queen's Guide Award, however it is not essential to complete either to do Queen's Guide. Also, the BP Award can be attempted without having done the Junior BP prior.
New Zealand
The Baden Powell Award is a peer recognition Award, not a badge that can be earned on the completion of a set of criteria. The Rover Crew, in consultation with the Regional Rover Leader, awards the Baden Powell Award for a member which:
South African Scout Association
South African Rover Scouts are required to complete four of the seven available Rover proficiency awards in order to qualify for the B-P Award. The B-P Award is awarded after it has been recommended by the District Commissioner, the Rover Scout Leader and the Crew Council who must agree that the Rover has been setting an example of living a lifestyle reflecting the Rover motto of "Service".
The Scout Association
The Scout Association no longer operate a Rover Scout section, having abolished the section in 1964, and they no longer offer the Baden-Powell Award.
Baden-Powell Scouts Association
The Baden-Powell Award is available to invested Rovers of the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association. The BPSA requirements for the award are similar to the "Traditional" option used by Rovers Australia. The Rover must hold the Scoutcraft Star, Service Training Star, Rover Rambler's Badge and Rover Project Badge. They are also required to show that they have been setting a personal example of the "Scout Way of Life" and to complete an interview with the Chief Commissioner of the Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association.
Girlguiding
The Baden-Powell Award continues on in the Guide programme for those who have been in Guides for at least two years prior to starting on the award challenges. Guides must complete 10 challenges from five different categories known as 'Zones' - Healthy lifestyle, global awareness, discovery, skills and relationships and celebrating diversity. They must also go on a specified residential weekend away from home with other Guides also working to complete their Baden-Powell challenge before they can be given the award.
Scout Association of Hong Kong
Baden Powell Award continues the training progress of the Rover Scout Award. Self planning and managing are pre-requisite to achieve this highest award. During the course from planning to operation, Rovers could equip themselves with a positive value of living, learning Scout knowledge, technique and attitude.
The topics of Baden Powell Award are same as the Rover Scout Award in which Service, Scoutcraft and Exploration are compulsory, whilst Scout Knowledge, Self-development, Interpersonal Skills, Personal Pursuit and Look Wide are optional. Rovers are required to take 3 amongst the 5 options for assessment.
The assessment of the Baden Powell Award is arranged by the RHQC (RS). Certificate and award will be issued when confirmed and approved by AHQ after the recommendation of Regional Commissioner and District Commissioner.