Outdoors '99

Outdoors '99 is the new Scout Section Outdoor Activity Award that has been specifically designed to encourage Scouts to go camping and take

• part in adventurous and exciting outdoor activities.

Outdoors '99 has been developed following the feedback received from the Scout Section on the successful 1997 Outdoor Activity Award.

This year's Award has been split in to three levels - Silver, Gold and Diamond.

Scouts can work toward all three levels of the Award between January 1st and December 31^st, 1999. A distinctive badge is awarded after each of the levels has been completed and all three badges fit together to form the image of a mountain range. The badges can be worn on uniform, positioned on the left sleeve, above all Proficiency Badges. The requirements to gain each level are...

SILVER

- Complete the National Commissioners' 24 Hour Challenge.

- Take part in five additional outdoor activities.

- Spend four nights away (at least two under canvas).

GOLD

- Complete the Silver level of the Award.

• - Spend three additional nights away (at least two under canvas). - Take part in five additional outdoor activities.

DIAMOND

- Complete the Gold level of the Award.

- Take part in ten additional outdoor Activities.

• - Spend five additional nights away (at least two under canvas).

•  

• • But what is the National Commissioners' 24 Hour Challenge?

   

The National Commissioners' 24 Hour Challenge is a challenge from Phil Pearson, National Commissioner for Cub Scouts, and Richard Bufler, National Commissioner for Scouts, to all older Cub Scouts and Scouts. The challenge requires the Scouts to link with older Cub Scouts and take part in at least four outdoor activities within a 24 hour period, and to help the Cub Scouts who will soon be transferring to the Troop to discover the fun and adventure of being a Scout. The activities could be completed as part of any joint activity, such as a joint camp, an activity day, an incident hike and so on.

• Who can take part in Outdoors '99?

Any individual Scout can take part in the Award. They may complete the activities with a group of friends as part of a Patrol, Troop, Group or District activity.

• What outdoor activities count?

You can do any outdoor activity you like to complete the Award (see list of suggestions). The list is endless, in fact any activity counts as long as it is out of doors! Each activity can only be used twice to count toward the Award and the activities must be sufficiently different. For example, a canoe trip and canoe polo would count as two different activities, but what you can't do is canoeing 24 times.

• How is the Award gained?

On completing each night away or each outdoor activity, every Scout should record their achievements on the Troop Record Chart. After completing all the requirements for each level, the Patrol Leaders' Council will recommend the presentation of the appropriate badge.