(introduced in 1988). An award designated as a definite forward step in Pathfinder leadership. It is designated not only for the counselor or staff member but for the club director, area coordinator, and conference Pathfinder specialist as well. The emphasis is on inservice training and active involvement within the club in order that the participants may gain new experiences and the chance to develop greater leadership skills. With the Basic Staff Training Course completed, the participant has opportunity to build on his or her foundation with a more detailed in-depth study of the fundamentals of Pathfindering. The course has been divided into seven skills areas, and these segments of the Pathfinder Leadership Award will involve the participant in at least 20 hours of seminar attendance.
Following on from this seminar instruction, the participant is in a position to select two of the seven skills areas studied and major in these subjects. This further study enables participants to specialize in skills that suit their talents and interests.
Advanced Pathfinder Leadership Award (also introduced in 1988). In the Advanced Pathfinder Leadership Award, the participant is asked to choose a further skill and complete the necessary requirements. This course is designed as an additional training unit for Pathfinder staff members and is open to all applicants meeting the course requirements and involved with Pathfinders. A person could spend many years in Pathfindering with the objective of ultimately becoming qualified in all the seven skills areas as outlined in the Advanced Pathfinder Leadership Award requirements.
In 1974 a new Pathfinder Staff Manual was published, with 533 pages of material covering every aspect of Pathfindering.