Springbok Scout Award
The Springbok Award is the highest honour a Scout can achieve in South Africa. It recognises not only advanced Scouting skills, but also leadership, service, and personal growth. The Path to Springbok challenges you to apply everything you have learned on your Scouting journey while making a lasting impact on your Troop, community, and country.
Achieving the Springbok Award requires dedication, courage, and determination. Careful planning and leading by example are essential - so begin early, set clear goals, and work closely with your Troop Scouter, RTC: Scout Programme, and Regional Springbok Coordinator.
All requirements must be completed before your 18th birthday, and you must be registered as a Springbok Candidate with the SCOUTS South Africa National Office before beginning your Springbok Journey. The path to Springbok is demanding, but it is also one of the most rewarding adventures you will ever undertake.
Seize the Springbok challenge, lead with purpose, and leave your legacy!
Learn what it means to be a Scout, and learn new skills.
Be involved with your Patrol and Troop, sharpen your Scouting Skills.
Become a well-rounded Scout and citizen.
Lead your Patrol and Troop on a number of projects that challenge you.
Springbok Award Requirements:
Adventure
1. Map work
Create and lead an exciting wide game for your Troop that challenges Scouts in orientation and navigation. The game must include at least ten bearings and involve two or more Patrols competing.
2. Springbok Expedition
Plan and lead a three-day, two-night Springbok Expedition over a route you have not previously covered.
- Minimum distance: 30 km on foot (other modes of transport must be approved by the RTC: Scout Programme).
- Group: at least four Scouts, including yourself, with the others at First Class level or below.
- Plan your route on a 1:50 000 map (or equivalent)
After the Springbok Expedition:
- Submit a written log to your examiner within four weeks of completing the expedition. The log should include:
- Detailed routes, directions, and landmarks
- Your planning and outcomes
- Reflections on what could have been improved
- Clear enough for someone else to repeat your route.
Note :
- Your Springbok Expedition planning must be approved beforehand by the RTC: Scout Programme (or appointed nominee).
- Evaluation is conducted by the RTC: Scout Programme (or nominee).
- A specialist Springbok Coordinator from the Regional Support Team may assist with guidance.
Click here for a handy Summary of the Springbok Expedition Requirements; Expedition Timeline - Before and After the Hike, Pre-Expedition Planning Document and Expedition Logbook Checklist.
Safety Awareness
3. In Your Community
Earn ONE of the following Interest badges:
- Disaster Risk Management Scout Interest Badge
- Fire Fighter Scout Interest Badge
- Home Carer Scout Interest Badge
- Life Saver Scout Interest Badge
- Public Health Scout Interest Badge
- Safety Code Scout Interest Badge
Do ONE of the following with your Patrol or Troop:
- Take your Patrol on a day outing to visit an emergency services organisation.
- Invite a guest speaker from emergency services to talk to your Patrol / Troop.
- Obtain a Water Activity Licence or Air Safety Awareness Licence, and then organise a day activity with your Patrol / Troop to demonstrate your skills and training.
Living Outdoors
4, Springbok Camp
Plan, organise, and lead a camp of at least two Patrols for a minimum of two nights.
Requirements:
- The camp must take place away from the Troop meeting place.
- You may not lead either Patrol.
- The camp may include Patrols from another Troop
- Younger Scouts must be trained and given responsibilities.
- An Adult may be present only if essential but may not take any organisational role.
After the Springbok Camp:
- Take part in an oral discussion with your examiner about the planning, camp programme, activities, training and advancement opportunities, and outcomes, including what could have been improved.
Note :
- Your Springbok Camp planning must be approved beforehand by the RTC: Scout Programme (or appointed nominee).
- Evaluation is conducted by the RTC: Scout Programme (or nominee).
- A specialist Springbok Coordinator from the Regional Support Team may assist with guidance.
Service
5. Springbok Community Service Project
Undertake ONE of the following:
- Identify a need in the community (in Scouting, your local community, or the environment) and produce a plan to meet it.
- Raise money for charity through your own initiative or by leading participation in an external charity drive. Submit a business plan to your examiner for the project.
- Plan and run a training camp for disadvantaged children or Scouts.
Requirements:
- The project must involve at least 40 hours of active participation.
- The project must be ratified by your Court of Honour.
After the Springbok Community Service Project:
- Take part in an oral discussion with your examiner about the planning, implementation, outcomes, how the chosen project benefited the community and lessons learned, including what could have been improved.
Note:
- Your Springbok Community Service Project planning must be approved beforehand by the RTC: Scout Programme (or appointed nominee).
- Evaluation is conducted by the RTC: Scout Programme (or nominee).
- A specialist Springbok Coordinator from the Regional Support Team may assist with guidance.
6. Movement Service
Give a presentation on Scouting, your personal Scouting journey and the lessons you have learned.
The presentation must be delivered to a non-Scouting audience or an adult audience at your Scout Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) and must highlight the service projects in which you have participated or led.
Scout Skills
7. First Aid
Lead a team of at least three Scouts in handling two staged First Aid incidents set by the examiner. Incident scenarios may take place on land, sea, or air.
Incidents must demonstrate:
- Triage management
- Leadership skills at an accident scene
Scenarios must include:
- At least one incident with multiple casualties
- Severe bleeding
- Improvised bandages and splints
- Suspected spinal or head injury
8. Major Springbok Project
Select ONE of the following and complete all associated requirements:
Pioneering Project
- Build an appropriately scaled model (1:10 or 1:20) of a major pioneering project that you have not constructed before.
- Use the model to plan and demonstrate the project, then train younger Scouts and lead them in building the full-scale project, ensuring they understand the techniques, safety measures, and teamwork required.
Construction Project
- Draw an appropriately scaled, detailed diagram (1:10 or 1:20) of a proposed permanent construction project.
- Use the diagram to plan the project, then train younger Scouts and lead them in constructing it, ensuring they understand the techniques, safety procedures, and teamwork involved.
OR
- Undertake a construction project under the supervision of a certified electrician, plumber, or other qualified artisan, applying your skills while ensuring safety and quality standards are met.
Boating
- Fulfil the role of Quartermaster in your Troop’s boat store for at least one term.
During this time:
- Repair at least four boats of two different types, demonstrating practical skills and problem-solving.
- Train at least four other Scouts in boat maintenance, ensuring they understand techniques and safety procedures.
- Train at least four Scouts on a Water Activities Interest Badge, providing guidance and support throughout the process and ensuring that at least one Scout attains the badge.
Flying
- Select and undertake an aeronautical project on an aircraft or in a hangar.
- Ensure the project is vetted by a skilled expert in the relevant field and liaise with the RTC: Scout Programme for guidance and approval.
- Train at least four Scouts on an Air Activities Interest Badge, providing guidance and support throughout the process and ensuring that at least one Scout attains the badge.
Climbing
- Demonstrate your ability to lead a climb on sport and traditional grade 16 (moderate) climbs.
- Tie off correctly at the top and provide a lead belay to ensure the safety of your team.
- Train Scouts on climbing safety, proper techniques, and the correct use of climbing equipment.
- Assist at least one Scout in attaining the Scoutcraft Climbing Badge, providing guidance and support throughout the process.
Food for Life
- Attain the Gold level Food for Life Badge.
- Train younger Scouts on the Starter or Silver Food for Life Badge.
Banquet
- Lead a Patrol of at least four Scouts in planning and executing a banquet with at least three courses for a minimum of 20 people.
- Take full responsibility for décor, menu, food preparation, budget, programme, invitations, and all other aspects of the banquet.
- Ensure all Scouts actively participate in cooking, while you demonstrate effective leadership of the cooking team.
- Use raw ingredients, with flexibility in the choice of cooking resources selected by you.
Wildlife Training Programme
- Complete a formal Wildlife Training Programme to acquire recognised skills, such as game ranging, ornithology, or similar.
- Lead a party of at least four Scouts on an excursion to demonstrate these skills in a safe location that does not include any of the ‘Big Five’.
Note:
- Your Major Springbok Project planning must be approved beforehand by the RTC: Scout Programme (or appointed nominee).
- Evaluation is conducted by the RTC: Scout Programme (or nominee).
- A specialist Springbok Coordinator from the Regional Support Team may assist with guidance.
Personal Development
9. Leadership
- Attend six Court of Honour (COH) meetings.
- Hold office as Scribe or Chairperson of the COH for at least one term.
- Assist with and document succession planning and goal setting for your Troop or Patrol.
- Plan and run a Scout's Own for your Troop or District, delegating tasks as appropriate.
- Demonstrate leadership by planning and guiding your Patrol across two outdoor obstacles set by your Troop Scouter. Develop a method, gather resources, and direct your Patrol to complete the challenges successfully.
- Demonstrate respect for others by completing ONE of the following, with prior approval from your Court of Honour and Troop Scouter,:
- Meet with someone of a different religion and share your learnings with your Patrol/Troop.
- Lead your Troop in a discussion/debate on a local social issue (religion, gender, ethnicity, etc.).
- Construct a handicap awareness trail for younger Scouts.
- Take younger Scouts on a visit to an organisation that supports people living with disabilities.
Badge Requirements in printable PDF format
See also
- Scout Advancement Programme
- Springbok Award forms and information on the SCOUTS SA website
- List of Springbok Scout Award Recipients
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