One Program, One Journey

Youth Program – Personal Progression

In Scouts Australia, Personal Progression is a key element of the Youth Program, helping young people develop skills, confidence, and resilience at their own pace. It ensures that each Scout can grow personally while being challenged appropriately for their age and abilities.

Key Aspects of Personal Progression in Scouts Australia:

1. Achievement Pathways
   Scouts follow a personal progression framework. The key elements include:
   • Introduction to Scouting (for new members)
   • Milestones (1, 2, 3) focus on active participation and are achieved through regular involvement in Scouting activities.
     • Each Milestone has three key components:
       • Participate – Join in activities.
       • Assist – Help others and contribute to team activities.
       • Lead – Take responsibility and lead an activity or team.
     • Scouts progress through Milestone 1, then 2, then 3, with requirements becoming more challenging at each level.
       
   • Special Interest Areas (SIAs)
     • Scouts set individual challenges in six categories:
       • Adventure & Sport
       • Arts & Literature
       • Creating a Better World
       • Environment
       • Growth & Development
       • STEM & Innovation
     • Each project must be planned, completed, and reflected upon.
     • Scouts work at their own pace and choose projects that interest them.
       
   • Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS) OAS covers the nine activity areas, of:
   • • Bushcraft
     • Bushwalking
     • Camping
     • Alpine
     • Cycling
     • Vertical
     • Aquatics
     • Boating
     • Paddling
   • Each area has nine progressive stages that Scouts work through, with increasing complexity.
   • In some of the activity areas, there are streams that Scouts can specialise in as they progress through the stages.  For example, after completing level 3 Aquatics, youth can choose between life saving, snorkelling or surfing. There are 23 Streams.
   • Scouts choose which skills to focus on based on their interests.
     
2. Youth Leading, Adults Supporting
   • Scouts take responsibility for their own development while leaders and mentors support them.
   • Scouts set goals, reflect on their progress, and challenge themselves at their own pace.
     
3. Challenge Areas
   Activities are designed around four challenge areas to ensure holistic development:
   • Community Challenge
   • Creative Challenge
   • Outdoor Challenge
   • Personal Growth Challenge
     
4. Peak Awards
   The highest Personal Progression Awards in each section:
   • Joey Scout Challenge Award (5-7 years)
   • Grey Wolf Award (Cub Scouts, 8-11 years)
   • Australian Scout Award (Scouts, 11-14 years)
   • King’s Scout Award (Venturer Scouts, 15-18 years)
   • Baden-Powell Scout Award (Rover Scouts, 18-25 years)
     

These awards require Scouts to demonstrate leadership, service, and skill mastery in their chosen areas.

Benefits of Personal Progression in Scouts

• Encourages personal responsibility and self-motivation
• Develops lifelong skills in leadership, teamwork, and outdoor adventures
• Builds resilience, confidence, and adaptability
• Allows youth to follow their interests and strengths