Qrendi Scouts participate in the President's Award (An Award Programme for Young People)

The Award Programme was launched in the United Kingdom in 1956 as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, but it now exists under a number of different names in many countries of the world.

It was launched locally in 1961, making Malta the first country outside Britain to participate in the Scheme. It changed its name to The President’s Award in 1985. As the word Programme indicates it is not a membership organization but a set of activities designed for young people from 14 to 25 years of age. Within it participants are given opportunities to broaden their lives by participating in a wide range of interests which cover Service to Others, Adventure; Practical Skills and Physical Recreation, all of which are related to personal abilities and community needs.

The basic philosophy of the Award is to encourage young people to improve their own standards, to share the excitement and satisfaction of achievement, and above all, to enjoy their efforts following their existing interests or starting new ones, but are encouraged to think first of those activities which suit their own particular ambitions and which are appropriate to the environment in which they live.

Adults are involved in providing support through Instruction, Supervision and Assessment of Progress in each section of the award, gives them the satisfaction and pleasure of sharing their own experience with their young participants, thus helping to bridge the generation gap and improve harmony within the community. The Programme is not competitive as each individual seeks to improve his or her personal standards, not to beat others.

There are three levels of Award, Bronze, Silver and Gold, calling for increasing levels of commitment and perseverance. For the Bronze and Silver Awards, young people are required to undertake activities in four sections, to be carried out as a voluntary non-formal educational programme. These sections are: Service, Expeditions, Skills, and Physical Recreation. All four sections must be tackled over established minimum periods of time. Within each section there is a wide choice to allow widely differing potential talents and interests. For the Gold Award apart from the above-mentioned four sections, the youngsters have an extra requirement to undergo a Residential Project.

Service: “To encourage service to others”
From simple First Aid or Hospital Volunteer work to life saving or conservation work – learning the value of service to others is often the key to understanding community responsibility.

Expeditions: “To encourage a spirit of Adventure and Discovery”
Through Expeditions and Explorations, ranging from overnight camps to four day demanding ventures, in remote country, a spirit of adventure and an understanding of the environment is encouraged.

Skills: “To encourage the discovery and development of personal interests and social and practical skills” Choosing and following a hobby or leisure interest, from nearly 200 options – thus through perseverance, manual or cultural skills are developed, so encouraging social skills and a sense of creativity.

Physical Recreation: “To encourage participation in Physical Recreation and Improvement of performance”
Participation and progress in one or more than 70 activities helps to match fitness of body with mind. Meeting challenges from athletics to water polo, brings a lasting sense of achievement and satisfaction.

It was on Thursday 21st July 2003 that the Award’s Chairman, Mr. Charles Cilia visited the Qrendi Scout Group Headquarters and explained the award’s requirements, witnessing first hand the Group’s set up together and its member’s determination to reach set goals.

In no time the Group contacted Din l'Art Helwa's President, Mr. Martin Scicluna and volunteered to carry out work at the Bir Miftuh Medieval Chapel in Gudja. The Group also sought the assistance of St John Ambulance's Director of Training Mr. Franco Piccinino who explained the requirements of his association's First Aid awards. Together the work in favor of our national heritage and the acquiring of First Aid Skills form part of “Service” requirements.

The group was most fortunate to obtain the services of Mr. Warren Muscat, a professional instructor in abseiling who offered to instructed in this skill and it safety requirements, enabling his “students” to qualify for the “Physical Recreation” requirements.

Expeditions pose no problem for the group as this falls under the scouting program. However the group still felt the need to revise its scouting program to ensure the fullest benefits from its training. The program should fulfill the “Expeditions” requirements.

The “Skills” requirements were left to each and every one of its participants to discover his own interpersonal skills, which the group is not short of. Drawing and painting, gantutile or Gold Thread Flower making together with glass painting features amongst the greatest interest within the group.

The Qrendi Scout Group are confident that with its member's determination and its own resources and aided by numerous helpers, namely Warren Muscat, Roderick Bugeja, Venture Scout Leader Mary Pace and Cub Scout Leader Pamela Schembri, together with other associations or organizations, the group would be able to fulfill all the bronze, Silver and Gold Award requirements within the stipulated time limits.

His Excellency Profs Guido DeMarco, President of Malta is the Patron of the Malta 's President Award program.