CADET PROFICIENCY PROGRAM

"Grand Prior's Badge Award"

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You’ll work towards achieving a proficiency and certificate in each subject at the Youth Unit meetings. Units usually meet once a week, and it takes around six weeks to earn your first proficiency.

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Introduction

The Youth Proficiency Program is an integral part of the total St. John Ambulance youth program. It encourages Youth to deepen and broaden their interests, talents and skills in many areas. Certificates, badges, and the Grand Prior’s Badge, give recognition to St. John youth who have committed time and effort to meet the required standards.

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Criteria

Every youth member must be given the opportunity to work towards the highest of all the Cadet awards - The Grand Prior’s Badge. This award is highly regarded and is presented, in some provinces, by the Lieutenant-Governor. It is the only Cadet merit award badge which may be worn on the St. John Ambulance uniform as long as the individual is a member of the Brigade.

More information on the The Proficiency Subjects will be posted here soon! have been divided into seven categories (see Appendix
A in "The Cadet Proficiency Program" guide 1997 for a complete listing):

Category

A - Knowledge of the Order (Compulsory)
B - Hobbies
C - Outdoor Activities
D - Sports and Physical Fitness
E - Health and Safety
F - Community Service
G - Communications

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Back to Program Menu -or- Back to SJA Youth Online

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The following are the requirements of Cadets/Crusaders wishing to qualify for the Grand Prior’s Award: 

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• Completion of a total of twelve Proficiency Subjects. At least one proficiency in each of the above categories must be completed.

• Knowledge of the Order is a compulsory category.

• No more than four subjects may be completed in a calendar year.

• The Grand Prior’s Badge will not normally be awarded until a Cadet/Crusader has a minimum of three years membership in good standing.

• Youth who have qualified in a Proficiency Subject prior to becoming a Cadet/Crusader are permitted to include their training up to two years before their enrolment date.

• Certificates will not be awarded prior to the youth’s official enrolment, or after their 21st birthday.

• In the case of candidates with disabilities, some proficiencies might require special consideration. In some cases, the Instructor/Evaluator should decide the acceptable level for certification or the suitability of the proficiency requirement(s).

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Award Stages

You must complete a certain number of subjects to receive your bronze, silver and gold awards. Please also see the "Criteria" section. Each subject in the Grand Prior Award scheme is offered at three levels so that everyone can participate at their own level.

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• Complete 12 subjects – Bronze award

• Complete 16 subjects – Silver award

• Complete 20 subjects – Gold award

• Complete 24 subjects – Grand Prior Award

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SUBJECTS:

As a Cadet / Crusader, you can take part in over 58 subjects from 7 different categories to earn your awards:

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Knowledge of the Order "KOTO" (Compulsory)

(Category A) This subject gets you to explore St John Ambulance, learning about its past and future. The Knowledge of the Order is a compulsory category.

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Hobbies

(Category B) From entertainment to photography, this gives you the opportunity to get creative. Learn about crafts and music, and how they can help you in everyday life. Subjects include:

• Astronomy

• Collector

• Crafts I

• Crafts II

• Electronics

• Fine Arts / Art Appreciation

• Gardening / Horticulture

• Home Repair

• Knowledge and Care of Animals

• Music Appreciation

• Music Performance

• Theatrical Arts

• Visual Media

 

Outdoor Activities

(Category C) These activities help you learn how to live, survive and respect our outdoor environments. Subjects include:

• Camping

• Environmental Awareness

• Map Using

• Recreational Boating

• Voyageur

• Wilderness Survival

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Sports & Physical Fitness

(Category D) What skills do you think you are lacking? How could you improve yourself and reach your potential? Learn a new skills or improve yourself through participation in other training providers through our community. Subjects include:

• Dance 

• Individual Sports 

• Physical Fitness 

• Self Defense 

• Swimming and Water Safety 

• Swimming and Life Saving 

• Team Sports 

 

Health & Safety 

(Category E) These activities helps you become more aware of your surroundings, from accident prevention to cookery and food hygiene. It is here to help you understand more about your personal safety. Subjects include: 

• Child Care/Babysitting 

• Cooking and Nutrition 

• Family Health Care 

• Fire Safety 

• Firearms/Hunter Safety 

• Hygiene 

• Road and Home Safety 

• Snowmobile Safety 

 

Community Service

(Category F) Learn about looking after everyone - children and adults alike. This element delves into everything from first aid care, leadership, fundraising and how to participate in and help your community. Subjects include:

• Basic First Aid Course Leader 

• Basic Rescuer II 

• Basic Rescuer I 

• Casualty Simulation 

• Citizenship 

• Flight Safety 

• Fundraising 

• Leadership 

• Multiculturalism 

• Therapy Dog Program 

• Voluntary Service 

 

Communications

This section improves your communication skills and helps you to understand others. You could practice using a radio, learn sign language or build your IT and listening skills. Subjects include:

• Communications with Persons with Disabilities 

• Computer Literacy 

• Computer Technology 

• Creative Writing 

• International Friendship 

• Interpretership 

• Journalism 

• Public Relations 

• Public Speaking 

• Radio Communications