Pathfinder Scout

The Pathfinder Scout Award offers each Scout the opportunity to develop more initiative and ability to work with minimal adult supervision. Upon completion of these requirements, Scouts have demonstrated the ability to tackle the Venturer Program.

By earning the Pathfinder level of the four Activity Badges, the two remaining Year Round Camping Awards, and more Challenge Badges, Scouts develop advanced knowledge and skills in Citizenship, Leadership, Personal Development and Outdoor Skills areas.

Pathfinder Scout Award

Requirements to qualify as a Pathfinder Scout:

1. Successfully complete the Voyageur Scout requirements.
2. Complete the advanced requirements in each of the following Activity Areas: Citizenship, Leadership, Personal Development, Outdoor Skills at the Pathfinder level.
3. Earn six (6) more Challenge Badges from at least two (2) new categories.
4. Complete the Summer and Winter portion of the Year-Round Camping Award.

Pathfinder Citizenship Award

To earn the Pathfinder Citizenship Award, complete the following requirements:

1. Identify the following flags: the United Nations, World Scout, Canadian provinces and territories.
2. With other members of your patrol meet with a member of local government or the legal system. Discuss with this person their responsibilities and the workings of their system.
3. Explain the following to show that you understand how the Government of Canada works: the roles of the Queen, Governor General, and Lieutenant Governors; the general functions or powers of federal, provincial and local governments; the role of civil servants and the role of political parties.
4. Meet with a member of a local service club, and discuss their organization's role in the community.
5. Know how to do the following in your community:
   1. Report damage or need for repairs to roads and bridges;
   2. Report damage to electrical power, sewer mains, water supply systems;
   3. Report a spill of hazardous material;
   4. Obtain a building permit for a house or garage; and
   5. Report suspected water contamination to the local health authority.
6. With members of your patrol; visit a historic memorial site and explain its significance to the community.
   OR
   Visit an industrial plant, business or educational centre. During your visit, find out about the types of jobs or careers that are available.
   OR
   Report on the history, growth and present role of one of the following: Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Armed Forces, Supreme Court of Canada.
7. Actively participate in five community projects. At least two must be different from the choices made at the Voyageur level.
8. Communicate and explore local Scouting activities with a Scout from another area or culture. (This could be done in person, or by letter, fax, ham radio, e-mail.

Pathfinder Leadership Award

To earn the Pathfinder Leadership Award, complete the following requirements:

1. Research a local or world leader. Lead a ten-minute discussion about this leader (including the leadership role he or she played) in your patrol or troop.
2. Plan and participate in leading an all-day outdoor activity for your patrol. Evaluate the event with your patrol at the end of the activity.
3. Using a patrol meeting, plan and conduct a troop camping trip lasting at least forty-eight hours. A detailed plan will be developed showing the steps necessary to have a successful venture. Evaluate the event with your Patrol at the end of the activity.
4. Teach a basic level skill to a Scout working at the Pioneer or Voyager level skills. At the end of your activity the Scout must successfully demonstrate good knowledge of the subject.
5. Provide a leadership role to another group (Cubs, church, sports, etc.). Discuss your experience with your patrol leader and/or Scouter.

Pathfinder Outdoors Skills Award

With members of your patrol and/or troop, participate in the following outdoor activities and demonstrate advanced skills and abilities. Be able to use equipment with little or no supervision:

1. Camp outdoors for a minimum of six (6) nights, not including those done for the Voyageur Award. This must include at least two, two-night or one, three-night camps, and one lightweight or mobile camp.
2. Participate in three (3) additional hikes/trips of at least six (6) hours duration each:
   1. One must include an overnight stay of at least two nights. (These nights may be included in the camps detailed above).
   2. Another must be in winter conditions.
   Note: For the purpose of this requirement alternate methods may be chosen, i.e. bikes, xcountry skiing, horseback, canoeing, etc. Motorized transportation is not acceptable.
3. Demonstrate the proper care, use and maintenance of equipment including stoves, tents, axes, saws, cooking equipment.
4. Plan a menu for two Scouts for a weekend camp:
   1. The plan shall have minimum of five (5) meals.
   2. The plan must include a food and supplies list, which includes quantity.
5. Plan a balanced menu for a patrol of Scouts for a weekend camp. The plan shall have minimum of five (5) meals and must include a food and supplies list which includes quantities required.
6. Sleep in a temporary overnight shelter that you built, while minimizing the damage to the environment.
7. Demonstrate square and diagonal lashing and describe their uses.
8. Demonstrate to Voyageur level Scouts the proper care, maintenance and packing of personal camping gear suitable for a two-day camp. Include sleeping bag, pack, clothes, boots, etc.
9. Identify four wild birds and four mammals that are indigenous to the area where you live or camp. Keep a list of the sightings you encounter on at least two camps or hikes.
10. Identify four types of trees/shrubs in the area you camp or hike in.
11. Identify four types of wild flowers in the area you camp or hike in.
12. Demonstrate proper disposal of cooking residues, grey water and body waste.
13. Plan and lead an Environmental project for your patrol/troop.
14. Demonstrate throughout the Pathfinder Award that you have put into practice your personal Environmental Code and Leave No Trace philosophies.

Pathfinder Personal Development Award

To earn the Pathfinder Personal Development Award, complete the following requirements:

Spiritual

1. Understand the role of your religion, spiritual belief and/or church. Discuss your beliefs with the spiritual advisor of your choice. (Requirement satisfied by Green Religion in Life award.)
2. Prepare and perform a leading role in a Scout's Own.

Social

1. Explore the area of social interaction with others. Subjects may include: dating, behaviour in public, sexually transmitted diseases, and abusive behaviours.
2. Know and demonstrate good personal grooming habits.
3. Explore at least two issues of public health. Subjects may include: AIDS, contagious diseases, blood supply, or Medicare.
4. Explore at least two issues of public safety and security. Subjects may include:  Neighbourhood Watch, Block Parents, swarming, the homeless, public facility safety, or safety inspectors.
5. Research and report on the effects of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Intellectual

1. Review your goals made for the Voyageur level and:
1. evaluate your progress towards goals set in the Voyageur level; and
2. set new goals based on your progress in the Voyageur level.

Physical

1. Demonstrate knowledge of emergency treatment and first aid by qualifying at the St. John's Ambulance "Emergency First Aid" level or the Red Cross "Emergency level",

OR


2. By demonstration, discussion or participation show good knowledge of the following:
   1. How to treat shock and choking;
   2. Demonstrate not less than five (5) bandaging techniques using triangular bandages. (Scouts must demonstrate at least one method of stabilizing fractures.);
   3. The meaning of first aid and the management of a case;
   4. The types of wounds and dangers of infections;
   5. The general rules for treating fractures and poisons, as well as bleeding wounds;
   6. How to control bleeding;
   7. How to make a stretcher and splints from items found at the site of an accident;
   8. How to treat an arm for a cut, burn and scald; and
   9. CPR

NOTE: Training must be delivered by a qualified instructor.

Year Round Camping Award (SUMMER and WINTER)

Purpose: To encourage the Scout to get camping experience in the Summer and Winter.

Requirements: To qualify, complete the following requirements for the Summer Badge and for the Winter Badge:

1. You must spend at least two nights in tents or other temporary shelter.
2. As a patrol, for each camp you must:
   1. Obtain written parental permission to camp;
   2. Select the campsite and obtain permission to use it;
   3. Arrange transportation. If you use a vehicle, you must travel the last kilometre on foot and carry in all your gear with your patrol members;
   4. Develop a menu and buy the food you need;
   5. Prepare the patrol camping equipment suitable for the season; and
   6. Plan the program activities for the camp.
3. Get the approval of your Troop Scouter or Patrol Counsellor for all of your actions related to the items in #2.
4. Evaluate each camp with a Scouter within two weeks of the camp. Discuss your preparations, camp outcomes and Leave No Trace actions.