Queen's Scout Awards 2022

Mark Jennings and Becky Payne travelled to Windsor Castle to receive their Queen’s Scout Award along with many other scouts from across the country.

They met up with Bear Grylls and other dignitaries as a celebration of achievement.

The Queen's Scout Award is the top achievement for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members and comprises of a variety of challenges to complete. One of those challenges being the Duke Of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Each year, HM The Queen allows The Scout Association to hold an event within Windsor Castle which gives the opportunity to recognise the achievement and contribution of many of our members.

The date of the parade is always close to that of St George’s Day (23 April). Only those who complete the Queen’s Scout Award are eligible to attend this event, Members can only attend this celebration once,

Each year this celebration brings together various groups and their invited guests to share in this prestigious and special event. We have the pleasure of recognising Queen's Scouts, who have worked hard to achieve the highest youth award within Scouting, and Gallantry and Meritorious Conduct award holders, who have been nominated for their bravery and heroism. It also celebrates adult award holders, who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to Scouting as a volunteer.

On the morning of the event, adult award holders attend Mattins, a service held in St Georges Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle. The event is attended by invited members of scouting and members of the public. Meanwhile, Queen's Scouts rehearse for the afternoon in the nearby Victoria Barracks.

Around midday, the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle (a private area, which is a privilege for us to use) fills with approximately 2,000 award holders and guests. The Queen's Scouts will march into the Quadrangle where the parade will be reviewed by a representative of the Royal Family. The parade will then march through the castle and down to St George's Chapel, where they will take part in the National Scout Service. Additional guests join at the Lower Ward to watch the Parade and take part in the service as it is relayed over the PA system to the crowds outside. Finally, the Parade moves out of the castle and back to the Royal Mews.

History
The event, as we know it today, dates back nearly 90 years and recognises the outstanding achievements of both adults and young people through a parade and service held annually within Windsor Castle by gift of Her Majesty the Queen. It is a perennial highlight of the Scouting calendar, and for those who attend each year it is a special day indeed.

Scouts first visited Windsor en masse in July 1911, when 26,000 members came to the castle for what was then the largest recorded gathering of young people in Britain. The assembled Scouts were reviewed by the Movement’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell, and King George V. Both were mounted on horseback.

The St George’s Day Parade, now known as the Day of Celebration and Achievement, was established some years later, in 1934. 750 King’s Scouts and Scouters, representing 39 counties of England and Wales, marched past the King and Queen on their way to St George’s Chapel. The event was such a success that it was voted that the parade should become an annual event.

The parade and service carried on in the same format till 1937 when it was decided that the recipients of gallantry awards should be invited to attend.

Due to the Second World War there was no parade held between 1940–1945. The event has been held every year since, except in 2020 and 2021 when it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who attends?
Various people are invited to take part in the day of celebration and achievement in recognition of their achievements in Scouting.

Queen's Scout Award Holders
Those who have recently achieved the Queen's Scout Award, our highest youth programme award, will be invited to attend and will form the parade for the event. Queen's Scouts are permitted to bring one or two guests with them to view the parade within the Quadrangle, with additional guests eligible to apply for Lower Ward tickets.

Gallantry and Meritorious Conduct Award Holders
Young people and adults who have received these awards in the previous calendar year after being recognised for their courage, endurance, initiative or dedication to the Scouts, often through difficulties and sometimes involving elements of risk, will be invited to watch the review from a special enclosure within the Quadrangle and several will be introduced to the reviewing officer and the Chief Scout. Once the review has taken place, they will join the back of the parade, then exit the Castle and make their way to a special reception.

Adult Award Holders
Adults who have been recognised for their contribution to the Scouts by a Silver Wolf award in the previous calendar year will be invited to attend. Award holders are offered the opportunity to attend the Mattins service in St George's Chapel, while most will gain access to the Quadrangle along with a guest to view the parade and review.

Lower Ward Spectators
Invitations are extended to all members of Scouting to apply for tickets to be part of this distinguished day. Members can watch the parade as it moves from the Quadrangle down the Lower Ward and into St George's Chapel. Once the parade has passed, they can take part in the National Scout Service as it is relayed over a PA system to the crowds outside. After the service they can watch the parade march out of the castle as the Queen's Scouts make their way back to the Royal Mews.

Association Guests
As our biggest annual national event, a number of guests of The Scouts will be invited to join in the celebrations. This will include Scout Ambassadors and others who are supporters of Scouting.

Scout Bands
Each year, two Scout bands are selected to take part in the parade.