[Philmont]: Congressional Award

Slightly off topic, but . . .

Last night I attended an award ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh's award -
young Canadian Challenge, which is part of the International Award scheme,
as is Congressional award. I also attended their Divisional board meeting.
While I was there, I was struck by a couple of things:

-this is not an elitist award, the young people who received it were from a
wide variety of backgrounds, such as Scouts, Girl Guides, and young people
involved through their schools

-every young person who has taken part in a high adventure activity, such as
Philmont, has already earned a quarter of the requirements for the award.
Someone who took part in a full Scouting program has probably earned the
full Gold level of the award.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this award, I urge you to take a
look at it on their website: http://www.congressionalaward.org/ Gold medal
earners are invited to a ceremony in Washington, DC to receive the award (up
here in Canada, Gold Award Recipients receive it from a member of the Royal
family - I'm getting mine next month from HRH The Earl of Wessex - Prince
Edward to you and I).

I was also struck with how few people seem to even know about these awards,
which is a terrible shame considering how easy it could be for a Scout to
earn this award. Please mention it to your Scouts.

Cheers

Mike

-- 
Mike Bingley
Council Field Executive
Scouts Canada - Chinook Region
403-327-4647
888-321-4647 (Alberta and BC)
Experience High Adventure in the Canadian Rockies with Scouts Canada
http://www.chinook.scouts.ca/impeesa-x/
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