The Physical Fitness Award is a program developed by the Boy Scouts of America to promote physical activity and health education. Participants must complete seven physical achievements and an educational component, and receive a health certification from their physician. It is different from the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.
The Physical Fitness Award is a badge of honor presented to scouts and troop leaders who have demonstrated excellence in the field of exercise and athletics in the United States. Participants must complete a series of qualifications in front of their local troops and leaders to apply for this award. These guidelines test participants’ strength, stamina, willpower, and knowledge of proper safety protocols to use during exercise.
This program was developed and sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and leaders are eligible to receive the Physical Fitness Award. Participants must complete a physical and an educational component before receiving the award. Before beginning, a health certification from the individual’s primary care physician is required attesting to their health, strength, and ability to complete each step of the overall process. You can then arrange with your scout leaders to do the seven baseline activities that comprise the fitness portion of the test.
The seven physical achievements set forth before the entrants seeking the Physical Fitness Award are Posture, Accuracy, Strength, Agility, Speed, Balance, and Endurance. During the posture test, the explorer is photographed while standing and compared to a posture classification chart. Accuracy is measured by asking the scout to throw a softball through a target. Strength, agility, and speed are measured through sit-ups, side steps, and the dash, respectively. Balance and endurance are tested by requiring the explorer to perform the squat and the squat push. The exact specifications for each activity can be found on the Boy Scouts of America website, or by contacting a local scout leader.
The educational portion of the Physical Fitness Award requires several teaching sessions between the scout seeking the award and their leader and peers. The scout should educate his peers on the importance of staying physically active and the health benefits associated with daily exercise. He can use his own fitness goals, which should address each of the seven fitness areas, as an example for the troop, and present it to the scout leader for review. You are also asked to explain to your scout leader the different safety precautions that need to be taken before beginning physical activity, whether at home, in a gym, or in nature. This briefing should also address the issues of dehydration and hypothermia, and the ways in which such conditions can be combated.
The Physical Fitness Award is different from the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. Both programs are aimed at promoting greater activity in young people and adults through daily physical exercise. The Presidential Award requires participants to spend at least 30 minutes to an hour each day exercising. This routine must be completed five out of seven days for six out of eight weeks before the award is claimed. This award is a product of the United States President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and is not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.
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