Years of service to scouting, dedication to working with young scouts, and taking on national leadership roles in the organisation have earned Michael Thompson (19) the Queen's Scout Award, the highest award in scouting.
The award will be officially presented by the Governor General at a ceremony next year.
Also heavily involved in the development of Scouts in Otago, as well as devoting many hours to patrol leadership is Ben Reveley (15), who has received the Chief Scout Award.
The bravery and level-headed actions of younger Scout Willow Millar (12), who kept her head and helped a friend caught in a rip while swimming, have also been acknowledged with the award of a Chief Scout Commendation.
For Michael Thompson, achieving the Queen's Scout Award has involved three years of hard work, including being a leader at both Mosgiel Scouts and Opoho Scouts, leading regional scout camps, and helping to train scout leaders.
A member of the scouting movement from the age of 5, Michael is involved in regional and national governance and is one of two lower South Island representatives on the National Youth Council of Scouting New Zealand, and is also a member of the National Council of Scouting NZ.
He is also an active member of the Crew Otago Rover Group.
Outside scouts, Michael is completing an apprenticeship with Dunedin precision machining firm United Engineers, working with computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
''Scouting has been a big part of my life. You not only get to spend time with your friends, you learn a lot about what you are capable of,'' Michael said.
''I find I have a lot of skills that other people my age don't have,'' he said.
''But I think the most enjoyable thing about scouts has been the chance to meet some amazing people, right through New Zealand and Australia.
''That has been a great experience.''
To achieve the Chief Scout Award, Ben Reveley has worked hard in leadership within Mosgiel Scout Group, has been involved in leadership training, as well as planning and leading expeditions.
Also a member of the scouting movement since the age of 5, Ben is now a Venturer and is the Mosgiel Scout Group's representative on the regional venturer council, which plans events for Venturers in Otago.
''Being a Scout has been great for me. I have learned a lot of skills and made a lot of friends,'' Ben said.
Leadership in scouts still lies in the future for Willow Millar, who joined as a kea in Oamaru, and has been a member of Mosgiel Scout Group for the past year.
The skills she has learned as a scout helped her to keep her head during a crisis when she was caught in a rip at Brighton Beach in March with her friend Jasmine Kerr.
As Willow had a boogie board with her, she was able to get her friend on to it and help to keep her afloat. The girls were helped back to shore by Willow's mother Donna Millar.
A kea leader at Mosgiel Scout Group, Mrs Millar said she was proud of both girls to staying calm in a difficult situation.
''As the stronger swimmer, Willow was able to help her friend on to the board, which was very good thinking,'' Mrs Millar said.
Being involved in scouts had helped Willow to challenge herself and to respond well in a situation beyond her comfort zone, she said.
The Chief Scout Commendation award was presented to Willow recently by Scouting NZ national commissioner Kelly Bleakley.
Mosgiel Scout Group leader Michelle Ryan said she was ''extremely proud'' of all three young people for their achievements.
''A lot of hard work has gone into these awards - they have had to be dedicated and self-motivated,'' Mrs Ryan said.
