Recognition is important to you and your Unit. Our Youth notice your recognition and it instills in them a desire to be recognized, it promotes learning/advancement within the unit. We lead by our example.
You are important to us, and we would like to recognize you for your hard work and dedicated service to Scouting and your unit.
Help us to help you, by keeping up with your progress and keeping us informed – we NEED to recognize you for all that you do for Scouting.
Award
Overview
The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light Award. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light Award have also completed all requirements for the Boy Scout badge.
This award is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light Award when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform.
A recognition program to encourage participation and work in council alumni relations programs, including NESA activities; areas of work include alumni identification/promotion, alumni engagement, personal participation, and education.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow…
The Regional Alumnus of the Year Award features an acorn, a reminder that Scouts and Scouters plant trees under which they may never sit.
It is in that vein that the award was created as it recognizes those that promote and share the gift of Scouting through their careers, avocations, and their influence.
To recognize outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Asian American youths.
A Community Organization Award (COA) square knot is available for registered volunteers to wear on their Scout uniform. This square knot denotes that a Scout volunteer has been recognized by one of 20 approved national chartered organization partners for Scout service within that organization. Those organizations are as follows:
- AFL/CIO George Meany Award
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Good Turn Service Award
- Alpha Phi Omega Herbert G. Horton Youth Service Award
- American Legion Scouting Award
- AMVET Boy Scouts of America Youth Outreach Award
- ARRL Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award
- Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Marvin M. Lewis Award
- Department of Defense-United States Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
- International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians Cliff Dochterman Award
- Kiwanis International – Boy Scouts of America Community Organization Award
- Lions Club Scouting Service Award
- Masonic Daniel Carter Beard Scouter Award
- Military Order of the World Wars
- National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Boy Scout Volunteer Award | Requirements
- Nonprofit Leadership Alliance H. Roe Bartle Training Award
- Philmont Staff Association, Silver Sage Award
- Ruritan National Service Clubs Scout Leader Community Service Award
- United States Power Squadrons, Raymond A. Finley, Jr. Sea Scout Service Award
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Scouter’s Achievement Award
- Woods Services, Woods Services Award for Scouting With Special Needs
This award is for Cub Scout adult leaders with three years’ tenure—including at least two years as Cubmaster—who have completed training and other performance requirements. The Cubmaster’s Key is also a great way to incorporate a succession plan for Cubmaster. In addition to a certificate and medal, a green-and-white square knot on a khaki background is available to wear on the uniform.
To recognize den leaders who have completed training, tenure, and performance requirements. Available for Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders, and Webelos den leaders.
about In October of 2020, the BSA announced the William T. Hornaday Award, was discontinued, and replaced by the new BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award.
District Award of Merit
It is the highest honor a local district can bestow upon a volunteer leader for service in Scouting. Available to registered Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level.
Tenure Within a five-year period, complete at least three years of registered tenure as a member of a district committee as the chair of one of the operating committees.
To recognize Eagle Scouts who earned their award 25 years or more ago and have achieved national-level prominence in their field.
Eagle Scout Knot
Scouting’s top honor for youth as a boy. Scouts who have earned this rank can wear this knot as an adult.
The Fretwell Award is not exclusively for
classroom teachers. Any school employee who
is equipping students to make moral and ethical
choices is eligible for this award. This could
be a teacher, administrator, custodian, cafeteria
worker, attendance clerk, resource officer,
teacher’s aide, or any number of others.
Worn by all youths and adults whose names are on a new-unit charter or who join the new unit before it recharters for the first time; members of veteran units still in operation who were on the original charter may also wear the bar.
To recognize local Jewish communities on Scouting that meet standard objectives in the support of the local council; named after Frank L. Weil, a founding member of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting and its chairman from 1935–1957.
Not for purchase; offered by National Jewish Committee on Scouting.
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting has established this award to recognize the chartered organization to help motivate and improve the effectiveness of the individual unit and its adult leadership, and to provide each youth with a top-quality program.
To recognize union members who have made a significant contribution to the youth of their communities by volunteering in the programs of the BSA.
Several uniform insignia and awards are available to show a Scout’s involvement in the world Scouting movement:
To recognize adult volunteers who promote international Scouting on all levels who in turn help broaden the perspectives of Scouting.
An emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Crest may be worn by all registered youth members and adult leaders as a symbol of their membership in a worldwide Scouting brotherhood.
For youth and adult leaders, the International Spirit Award emblem is worn as a temporary patch centered on the right uniform pocket. The award seeks to broaden knowledge of international Scouting and increase appreciation and awareness of different cultures and countries.
To signify that a youth or adult member speaks a foreign language (one other than English)
Any member who speaks a specific foreign language; demonstrate knowledge by carrying on a five-minute conversation in this language, translating a two-minute speech or address, and writing a letter in the language (does not apply for sign language); or, translating 200 words from the written word.
To recognize gifts to local council endowment funds.
LEVELS (Bronze 1K, Silver 5K, Gold 10K and Diamond 15K)
A program for units to add a memorial gold star to their unit flag if a previous or present member of the unit has given their life for their country.
To recognize individuals who participate in a Messengers of Peace project (service project). A global service project program carried out by Scouts throughout the world.
The National Duty to God Award created in 2016 recognizes adult individuals who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting.
High-level award presented by councils on the behalf of the National Court of Honor for nonregistered volunteers who have made a significant contribution to Scouting; on same level as the Silver Beaver Award, which is for registered volunteers.
Presented to nonregistered Scouting supporters; may be presented at the council, area, region, and national levels.
Council, area, or region sends nomination to National Court of Honor at least 30 days prior to award presentation; presented at council recognition banquet, public gathering, or other event appropriate to the honoree.
The National Order of the Arrow committee presents the Distinguished Service Award to those Arrowmen who have rendered outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, area, regional, or national basis.
Each unit (Pack, Troop, Team, or Crew) has the opportunity to select three adults to receive the Three Rivers District Outstanding Scouter Award. This is your chance to publicly thank three individuals who have given their time and efforts to make Scouting happen in your unit.
To promote educational opportunities by returning to Philmont Training Center over a number of years, growing through advanced-level training, and then taking knowledge back to units, districts, councils, council clusters, and national and international venues.
Recognizes Commissioned professionals who have completed various phases of professional training and other BSA and/or non-BSA development courses, and have been certified by the Scout executive and Scouting University.
Commissioned professionals earn the award after they have earned the Professional Circle.
Recognizes professionals who have completed various courses, submitted a written thesis, and have been certified by the Scout executive or area director along with Scouting University.
Chart of Religious Emblems
This chart lists all Religious Emblems Programs available to members of the Boy Scouts of America. Images of the medals, where available, may be viewed by clicking the award’s name.
To encourage training, performance, and tenure.
Earned by Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Venturing Crew Advisors, district and assistant district commissioners, district committee members.
To encourage training, performance, and tenure.
Earned by Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Venturing Crew Advisors, district and assistant district commissioners, district committee members.
To encourage training, tenure in a position, participation, and performance of adult leaders.
Earned by roundtable commissioner staff, Cub Scout leaders, Webelos Scout leaders, Scouts BSA leaders, Venturing leaders, Sea Scout leaders, commissioners, and district committee members.
In development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic/Latino youth. It is presented by the local council, which also sets the qualifications. In addition to a certificate and desk trophy, a blue-and-yellow square knot on a red background is presented to individuals to be worn on the uniform.
To recognize outstanding service by adults in the promotion of Scouting among Jewish youth. Self and spousal nominations will not be accepted.
To recognize members for their tenure in Scouting.
Any youth or adult member who have at least one year of tenure in Scouting.
To recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a region.
To recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.
To recognize registered Scouters and others of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service at the national level.
Presented by the National Court of Honor.
This award was established to provide clear and visible recognition to adults, volunteer and professional, who serve the community of members with disabilities/special needs of the Scouting movement. This award is earned by direct action on behalf of members with disabilities/special needs and by spreading the ideals of inclusiveness, diversity, and disability awareness in Scouting. The award is intended to create enhanced visibility of the resources available to serve these members and to ensure their success in Scouting.
A posthumous award to recognize the contributions of Scouting members who lost their lives in an untimely accident or illness.
Presented by the National Court of Honor on behalf of councils; for youth members under the age of 21. The application must be submitted within six months of the youth member’s death.
To recognize individuals who have provided outstanding service in the area of Scouts with special needs. (Reference: Special Needs Scouting Service Award)
Presented to Scouts BSA youth members, Venturing youth, and adults upon completion of training; also may be worn by den chiefs who have completed den chief training.
To encourage units to be strong and viable by attaining certain benchmarks characteristic of strong units; seven requirements must be met with nomination by the top youth leader if for a troop, crew, or ship; nomination is certified by the unit commissioner.
Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Venturing Crew Advisors, and Sea Scout Skippers
Complete at least three years of registered tenure as a Venturing crew Advisor within a five-year period.
(This can include the tenure used to earn the Venturing Training Award.)
In order to recognize Venturers and Venturing Advisors who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law, councils, areas, regions, and the BSA National Council may present individuals with the Venturing Leadership Award.
To recognize BSA individual members for tenure in Scouting
Earned by all registered members
5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year awards are awarded by the local council, while awards for 25 years and more are awarded by the national office; submit application to receive a certificate and option to purchase pin from Scout shop.
To recognize individuals who have contributed more than $25 million to the BSA.
Presented by the office of Philanthropy and Chief Scout Executive.
Recognizes outstanding service by an adult individual or by an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds.
To recognize volunteers who have organized a new unit.
On October 12, 2020, BSA announced that the William T. Hornaday Award program for distinguished service in natural resources conservation has been DISCONTINUED.
BSA Unveils Distinguished Conservation Service Award
To recognize volunteers who have provided visionary leadership through service and giving in leading their council on the path of financial sustainability.
Presented to council level volunteers.
A national-level recognition for volunteer adults who provide outstanding service to Scouts with special needs.
Be currently registered as a member of the Boy Scouts of America and have three or more years of service in any Scouting capacity related to Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and/or Venturers with disabilities.
Presented by the national Scouts With Special Needs Task Force.
Scouters have over the years created their own knot awards that are not official BSA recognized awards.