Highest Rank in Scouting

First, we'd better define what we mean by 'highest rank'. Most national Scout associations have various awards for adults and Scouts. These can include awards that are bestowed, such as a medal for bravery or saving life. And they can include other awards that can be earned, such as those for training or service. But by 'highest rank', we are referring to the highest award for advancement (achievement) that a Scout can earn.

Baden-Powell created the original system of Scout advancement, starting with Tenderfoot (basically a new or inexperienced Scout), followed by Second Class, and culminating with First Class. B-P's Scouting for Boys explains general requirements for these awards, which are often called 'ranks' in English-speaking countries. In 1909, Britain's King Edward VII authorized a new top rank, King's Scout (called Queen's Scout since approval by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953). This is available to Scouts in countries that are members of the UK Commonwealth. A similar Queen's Guide award is authorized for Girl Guides. Many national Scout associations have since created a similar highest rank.

Many national Scout associations do not have an advancement system, and hence do not have a highest level of advancement/achievement/rank that a Scout can earn. For those associations that have an advancement system, they often have a highest rank for each level of the program (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, etc). But the highest rank, and the one with the most prestige (and carryover value into the adult world) is typically the top award available to a Scout in the association's program for older Scouts (typically aged about 14 until 18, although some associations that have Rovers allow earning their top award up to about age 25).

Here is what we have found for the highest rank in various national Scout associations. We'd be delighted if you would email us with addtional information, as we have certainly missed many organizations, and have not found pictures of all the top ranks.

It's interesting that the name of the highest rank typically falls into one of three categories
(1) Named after the Chief of State (King, Queen, President)
(2) Named after an animal (sometimes mythical or religious) (dragon, eagle, garuda, lion, quetzal, springbok, tiger)
(3) A name with national pride or religious significance

So far, we've found 26 countries where there is a highest Scouting rank. If you know of more, please let us know! Thanks.

Country (Scout Association)	Award Name	Picture
Australia (Scouts Australia)	Queen's Scout (UK Commonwealth)
Australia (Guides Australia)	Queen's Guide (UK Commonwealth)
Bangladesh (Bangladesh Scouts)	President's Scout
Belgium (association uncertain; not clear if this is still a current award)	Kroonverkenner (Crown Scout)
Brazil (União dos Escoteiros do Brasil)	Escoteiro da Pátria (Scout of the Fatherland)
Canada (Scouts Canada)	Queen's Venturer (UK Commonwealth)
China / Hong Kong (The Scout Association of Hong Kong)	Dragon Scout	[no picture]
Guatemala (Asociación de Scouts de Guatemala)	Quetzal Scout (the resplendent quetzal is the national bird)	[no picture]
India (The Bharat Scouts and Guides)	Rashtrapati Scout / Guide (President's Scout / Guide)
Indonesia (Gerakan Pramuka)	Pramuka Garuda (Garuda Scout—the garuda is a mythical bird in Hindu & Buddhist mythology)
Japan (Scout Association of Japan)	Fuji Scout (Mt Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, has national and religious significance)
Kenya (The Kenya Scouts Association)	Lion Scout
Kiribati (Kiribati Scout Association)	President's Award
Korea, South (Boy Scouts of Korea)	Tiger Scout
Maldives (The Scout Association of Maldives)	President's Scout
Malaysia (Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia)	Pengakap Raja (King's Scout)
Mexico (Scouts de México)	Caballero Aguila (Eagle Knight; based on the ancient Aztec army)
New Zealand (Scouting New Zealand)	Queen's Scout (UK Commonwealth) (apparently the same design as the Scouts Australia award)
New Zealand (The Girl Guides Association New Zealand)	Queen's Guide (UK Commonwealth)
Philippines (Boy Scouts of the Philippines)	Eagle Scout
Portugal (Federação Escutista de Portugal)	Cavaleiro da Pátria (Knight of the Fatherland)
Singapore (The Singapore Scout Association)	President's Scout
South Africa (South African Scout Association)	Springbok
Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Scout Association)	President's Scout
Tanzania (Tanzania Scouts Association)	President's Scout
Thailand (The National Scout Organization of Thailand)	King Scout
United Kingdom (The Scout Association)	Queen's Scout
United Kingdom (The Guide Association)	Queen's Guide
United States (Boy Scouts of America)	Eagle Scout
United States (Girl Scouts of the USA)	Girl Scout Gold Award