TASK: “Train Scouts and lead them in a construction project that puts your knowledge to full use.”
The construction project for the Top Award is also a culmination of your promise to “help other people at all times” like your service project. This is your opportunity to contribute to the community and to actively put Scouting’s aims into action.
PROCEDURE TO COMPLETING THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
1. Decide on the project you want to do.
2. Discuss your project idea with your Troop Scouter and Court of Honour.
3. Contact the Troop Scouter and discuss the initial project idea if you area unsure of your project idea.
4. Meet with the various people who will be involved with the project and clarify exactly what you will be doing and when.
5. Prepare a drawing of your project plan and a list of all the equipment to be used, submit this copy to the Troop Scouter as well as your District Commissioner at least 10 days before
you start your project.
6. Once the plan has been approved, proceed to implement the project.
7. A date must be set for when you will be constructing you project so that your District Commissioner can come and inspect your construction project. This arrangement must be made with the Troop Scouter and your District Commissioner at least a month before the intended date. Make sure you scaled model is ready on the day of construction.
8. On completion of the project you must write a final report on the project. This should be forwarded to the Troop Scouter within one month of completing the project and should also be available at the final approval interview with both the District and Area Springbok application panel.
Some guidelines on the above procedures are given below:
WHAT PROJECT SHOULD I CHOOSE ?
The project you choose should be something which will benefit the greater (local) community. This could include Dog Kennel, aviary or a duck pond, or your regularly visited campsite could do with some pioneering gadgets that take longer to construct than is usually time for at camp, or build a fun project like a merry-go-round, or a floating tower. A list of ideas is given on page 59 of The Scout Target.
It is important that you LEAD other scouts in the project. Not only will it enable you to accomplish more, but the scouts will also be able to meet requirements for their own badge advancement.
THE COST OF THE PROJECT ?
This depends on the type of project you undertake. There are many kinds of people who will donate certain material, or you will need to do some fund raising. Or look and see what is in your HQ store room or ask other Troops for use of their pioneering equipment .
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WHAT IS A PROJECT PLAN ?
The project plan is what you will use to set out what you expect from the project. It should include the following headings:
- Objectives (what you are going to do)
- Resources (who will help you, what equipment you will need)
- Action Plan ( when and what is going to be done in the project)
Try to make your plan as detailed as possible - include dates and set yourself “mini-targets” to be accomplished during the project.
HOW SHOULD THE PROJECT BE IMPLEMENTED ?
Always remember to inform the people you are working with from the community of what you are going to do before you do it. Make sure that they are also happy with your project plan. Have a meeting with scouts who will be assist you before you arrive at the project site so that they know what to do.
Your construction team and yourself should be clearly recognizable as scouts - wear scout uniform, T-shirts or scout hiking caps. If possible, try to get news coverage of the project in your local newspaper.
WHAT INFORMATION IS IN THE FINAL REPORT ?
The final report should give details on the achievement of your objectives, the resources you used and the actions you carried out. Photographs/drawings of what you accomplished may also be included. Copies of any newspaper coverage can be included. A copy of a letter from the people who benefited from the project should be included. The original of this letter must be attached to your Top Award application form. The final report should be in a neat folder and about 5 pages in length.
LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT !