Top Awards represent the peak of a young person's journey in Scouting. They are designed to be challenging, relevant, and rewarding. Whether it’s the Chief Scout’s Acorn Award or the prestigious King’s Scout Award, these achievements demonstrate resilience, new skills, and a commitment to the community.

The City of York Top Awards Support Team is here to assist Leaders, Commissioners, and young people directly. We provide:

• Mentorship: Pairing Explorer and Network Scouts with mentors for the King’s Scout Award (KSA) and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

• Validation & Sign-off: Helping coordinate the assessment of expeditions and international projects.

• Workshops: Running "Introduction to Top Awards" sessions for Leaders to help demystify the requirements.

• Inclusivity Guidance: Advice on making "Reasonable Adjustments" to ensure Top Awards are accessible to young people with additional needs or disabilities.

Sectional Top Awards

Each section has a flagship award. We provide resources for:

• Squirrels: Chief Scout’s Acorn Award

• Beavers: Chief Scout’s Bronze Award

• Cubs: Chief Scout’s Silver Award

• Scouts: Chief Scout’s Gold Award

• Explorers: Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awards

Beyond the Sections (Explorers & Network)

For our older members, the challenges grow even larger. We offer specialist support for:

• The King’s Scout Award (KSA): The highest achievement in Scouting. We help track progress across the five pillars: Service, Skills, Physical, Expedition, and Residential.

• The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE): York Scouts is a licensed DofE provider. We can help you register for your Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels.

• Explorer Belt: Support for planning and executing a 10-day expedition in a foreign country.

• Scouts of the World Award (SOWA): Guidance on developing projects focused on Development, Peace, or the Environment.

• Young Leader Scheme: Training for Explorers who volunteer with younger sections.