The top awards in the Explorer Scout and Scout Network Sections are the Chief Scout's Platinum Award, the Chief Scout's Diamond Award and the Queen's Scout Award. All three are linked to the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold respectively).

If they are not already doing so, Explorer Scouts should be encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. Explorer Scouts need to be registered in order to get a Record Book, and this can be done through the appropriate County or Area contact. With good planning, it is possible to gain both the Scouting Award and the appropriate Duke of Edinburgh's Award; a double recognition of achievement. The main differences between the two schemes are outlined in the table below.

Differences between the two schemes
	Scouting Awards	Duke of Edinburgh's Awards
	Chief Scout's Platinum and Diamond Awards and the Queen's Scout Award	Bronze, Silver and Gold
Registration	By joining an Explorer Scout Unit.	By purchasing a Record Book from the County or Area contact.
Assessors for the parts of the Awards	Any suitable person. For expeditions in Terrain 1 and Terrain 2, the Assessor should hold the appropriate Scout authorisation.	Any suitable person approved by the District Commissioner. For wild country expeditions, the Assessor should hold the appropriate Scout authorisation, and the Wild Country District Commissioner should be notified using the appropriate form.
Authorisation of the Award	Under arrangements made by the District Explorer Scout Commissioner.	Bronze and Silver Awards: Under arrangements made by the District Explorer Scout Commissioner. Gold Awards: By the appropriate National Headquarters.
Minimum age for entry	Chief Scout's Platinum Award: 14 or at the point of Investiture into the Section. Chief Scout's Diamond Award: 15 or on completion of the CSPA. Queen's Scout Award: 16.	Bronze: 14 or earlier with peer group. Silver: 15 or on completion of Bronze Award. Gold: 16.
Presentation	Chief Scout's Platinum Award and Chief Scout's Diamond Award: by the District Explorer Scout Commissioner or their nominee. Queen's Scout Award: by the County or Area Commissioner or their nominee.	Bronze and Silver Awards: by the District Explorer Scout Commissioner or their nominee. Gold Awards: by the County or Area Commissioner or their nominee.

The full requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards can be found in the Record Books and in publications available from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. You can get these from your County or Area contact or from the Scout Information Centre. You can find more information from www.theaward.org