| Queen's Guide | |
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| Awarded For: | Highest attainable award for members of Girlguiding |
| Sponsor: | Girlguiding UK |
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| Country: | United Kingdom |
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The Queen's Guide[1] award is the highest attainable award for members of Girlguiding.
Although originally awarded to Guides, it is now only attainable by members of the Senior Section (including Rangers, Young Leaders and Leaders) aged between 16 and 30.[2] It is a challenging programme comparable to the King's Scout and higher than Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. In the 60 years between the awards creation in 1946, and 2006, 20,000 young women had gained the award.[3]
The award's syllabus has changed numerous times, but the current version is split into five areas: service in guiding, personal skill development, community action, outdoor challenge and a residential experience. The syllabus must be completed within three years and before the Guide's 26th birthday. The emphasis in the current syllabus is on self challenge, rather than a prescribed set of tasks. The participant should complete a plan and submit it to the county Queen's Guide Advisor on commencing the award. It is possible to take a break of 12 months part way through the award in addition to the three year time limit, but no activities done during this time will count for the award.
This section encourages the participant to take an active part in Guiding at a range of different levels, from local to national. There are four elements all of which must be completed and one element must involve at least two sections.
Over a 12-month period the participant should do two projects in this area, one should be research orientated and the other practical.
This section aims to develop the leadership and teamwork skills of the participant in an outdoor environment, an exploration has the same base throughout the challenge, an expedition moves to a new base each night. The mode of transport on an expedition can be foot, bicycle, horse, sail boat, canoe, or power cruiser. Different guidelines exist for distances and durations that should be travelled depending on mode of travel.
The participant should attend a residential event lasting three days (two nights) where the majority of the other attendees are unknown to the participant. This event can be run by Girlguiding UK or another agency.
On completion the participant is presented with a silver brooch, and a certificate signed by The King. The participant usually has a presentation and celebration in her local area, but national celebration are held occasionally in London. All Queen's Guides who have recently completed the award are invited. The presentation is usually performed by the Association President the Duchess of Edinburgh, although the Chief Guide has also officiated at presentation events.