Description: purple on purple knot on silver background with silver border.

Award Requirements:

An adult religious recognition award is presented by nomination only. The recognition is presented to worthy adults for their outstanding service to youth both through their religious institution and one of the national youth agencies. Recipients of these awards are unaware that they are being nominated. They are nominated to receive an award by submitting the required application, letters of recommendation, and resume. Please check eligibility requirements for specific awards. For a listing of resources for each of the religious faiths that participate in this program, see the P.R.A.Y. web site

Description: gold on gold knot on purple background with gold border.

Award Requirements:

Community Organization Award is a generic term used by the BSA to identify a category of awards used by secular, national, community organizations to recognize their members for voluntary service and achievement. The organization must also be a BSA national chartered organization. The recognition piece, the concept of the award, and the criteria for awarding and presenting it are developed and owned by the national community organization which is also a chartered organization with the Boy Scouts of America.

More Details

Description: silver overhand knot on deep blue background with silver border.

Award Requirements:

The District Award of Merit is awarded by a District to a registered Scouter for service to youth in the District. Normally, the award is presented for service to youth in excess of five years.

• Candidates must be nominated, not self-nominated.
• A nominee must be a registered Scouter.
• A nominee must have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, outside of Scouting, or both. Note: The nature and value of 'noteworthy service to youth' may consist of a single plan or decisions that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth or it may have been given to a small group over an extended period of time.
• Consideration must be given to the nominee's Scouting position and the corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that Scouting position.
• The nominee's attitude toward and cooperation with the district, division, and/or council is to be taken into consideration.

Nomination

Description: blue on blue knot on red and white background with red and white border.

Award Requirements:

In recognition of their contributions to America's future, the AFL-CIO Executive Council established the George Meany Award. It recognizes union members-men and women-who have made a significant contribution to the youth of their communities by volunteering in the programs of the BSA. The award is named for the AFL-CIO's first president, who gave strong support to Scouting over the years

• The central labor council invites all local unions to submit their candidates for the award. Any person, group, affiliated council, or local union may nominate a Scouter/member for the George Meany Award. The nominee must have the local union's recommendation as well as BSA council certification.
• The central labor council makes the final selection of its recipients from the candidates submitted. The selections and approvals are normally the responsibility of the Community Services Committee of the central labor council in conjunction with the Executive Board.
• The central labor council forwards the recipient's completed application to the Labor Relationships of the Boy Scouts.

Application

Description: silver on silver knot on red background with silver border.

Award Requirements:

The Distinguished Commissioner Service Award is intended to recognize commissioners who provide quality service. Each council decides how to certify eligibility and keep records. There is no national application form for this award.

• Be a currently active council, assistant council, district, assistant district, or unit commissioner
• Complete training as outlined by the local council, including earning the Commissioner’s Key
• Serve as an active commissioner for five consecutive years and be currently registered with the Boy Scouts of America
• Recharter at least 90 percent of the units in your area of service for a minimum of the past two consecutive years
• Assist units so that more than 60 percent of the units in your area of service achieve the National Quality Unit Award for a minimum of the past two consecutive years

Requirements for Roundtable/Huddle Commissioners:

• Complete training as outlined by the local council, including earning the Commissioner’s Key
• Serve as an active commissioner for five consecutive years and be currently registered with the Boy Scouts of America
• Conduct at least nine roundtables/huddles per year for the past two consecutive years

Description: white on white knot on red background with red border.

Award Requirements:

The Distinguished Service Award was created in 1940 to honor those who rendered service to the Order beyond the lodge level. The award is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. Since the time of the first awards given in 1940, approximately 500 Distinguished Service Awards have been presented.

The award is a sterling silver arrowhead, bearing an arrow pointing upward and to the wearer's right, suspended from a white neck-ribbon upon which are embroidered red arrows. Presentation of the award is limit; nominations are open to both youth and adults.

Application

Description: white on red knot on tan background with tan border.

Award Requirements:

The Silver Buffalo Award, created in 1925, is bestowed upon those who give truly noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. This award, Scouting's highest commendation, recognizes the invaluable contributions that outstanding American men and women render to youth. The service must be national in character and can be directly connected with the BSA or independent of the movement.

Application

Description: white on orange knot on tan background with tan border.

Award Requirements:

The Silver Antelope Award, created in 1942, is granted for outstanding service to youth within the territory of a BSA region. There are 4 separate BSA regions. The criteria is similar to the Silver Buffalo except that a recipient must be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. Awards are bestowed on the basis of the number of registered volunteers in a region.

Application

Description: white on blue knot on tan background with tan border.

Award Requirements:

Established in 1931, the Silver Beaver Award is presented for distinguished service to young people within a BSA local council. More than 50,000 recognitions have been conferred to date. As with the Silver Antelope, a recipient must be a registered adult member of the BSA. Silver Beaver Awards are presented on the basis of the number of units in a council.

Application

Description: white on black knot on tan background with red border.

Award Requirements:

This award recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrouds - this is in fulfillment of Dr. Young's dream of justice and equality for all. The award is presented to people at all levels of the BSA. Recipients are approved nationally through nomination by local councils.

Application

Description: silver knot on gold/green/red background with tan border.

The William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award is presented to recognize volunteers who organize one or more traditional Scouting units. The award may be worn on the adult uniform. The award is a square knot placed over the three colors representing the three phases of the BSA program - Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. A volunteer can earn the knot by organizing one traditional unit, and a program device can be earned for up to three additional units organized.

The award recognizes volunteers for organizing traditional units after March 1, 2005. The award is administered by the Relationships Division and will be presented by the local council.

Award Requirements:

• With the approval of the district committee chair, the volunteer serves as the organizer and completes the successful organization of one new traditional unit (Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity team or Venturing crew).
• The volunteer organizes the unit by following all procedures as published in the 'New Unit Organization Process' (No. 34196), particularly ensuring that new unit leadership is trained, a program for the new unit is organized and in operation, the new unit committee is functioning, a unit commissioner is assigned, all paperwork for the new unit is completed and processed, and the unit charter is presented to the chartered organization.
• The Boy Scouts of America realizes that quite often several individuals help to organize a new unit. However, for this award, only one volunteer can be recognized as the organizer for a new unit.
• To further recognize the volunteer's effort for organizing additional new units, a program device can be earned and worn on the new-unit organizer knot. The program device represents the type of unit organized (a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity team, or Venturing crew.) The knot and up to three program devices may be worn in recognition for organizing up to four new traditional units. Multiple program devices for organizing units in the same program may be earned and worn.
• The new-unit organization award recognizes volunteers for organizing traditional units after March 1, 2005.

Application and New Unit Info  (3.4MB)

Description: yellow on blue knot on red background with red border.

The purpose of the ¡Scouting...Vale la Pena! Service Award is to recognize outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic American/Latino youth.

Award Requirements:

• Recipients are approved nationally through nomination by a local council. (Councils should use ¡Scouting...Vale la Pena! Service Award Nomination Form, No. 11-193. Copies may be obtained from the National Distribution Center, 2109 Westinghouse Boulevard, P.O. Box 7143, Charlotte, NC 28241-7143.)
• The award is presented to people at all levels of the organization (executive board, district Scouters, unit personnel) and to people of all races and income levels.
• The council's annual quota of awards shall not exceed the number of districts in the council. Emphasis is on being selective, with no intention that the full quota must be used every year. The quota is noncumulative.
• The council president designates a committee to administer the award for the council. This may be a special ¡Scouting...Vale la Pena! Award committee or the council's advancement and recognition committee, Silver Beaver committee, or council Scoutreach committee. The committee should include at least one person who is familiar with serving Hispanic American/Latino families. The Scout executive or a designated staff member serves as adviser to the committee.
• The committee screens, prioritizes, and selects worthy nominees. Nominations may be submitted to the committee by committee members, professional staff, or any other registered Scouter.
• Nominations are then submitted by the local council to the Scoutreach Division at the national office. Please allow 60 days for review and consideration of approval by a national volunteer committee and delivery of the award. Approval should be received before the award is announced or presented.
• Select a highly visible event with an appropriate ceremony to present the award. Council and district appreciation dinners, annual business meetings, testimonial dinners, or a major function that the recipient is associated with provide excellent settings for the award presentation.
• The presentation might also involve other community agencies that are actively involved with serving the Hispanic American/Latino community (such as LULAC, National Council of La Raza, or U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce).

Application and Info

Description: white on black knot on blue background with blue border.

The purpose of the Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award is 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 youth.

Award Requirements:

• Recipients are approved nationally through nomination by a local council. (Councils should use Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award Nomination Form, No. 11-194. Copies may be obtained from the National Distribution Center, 2109 Westinghouse Boulevard, P.O. Box 7143, Charlotte, NC 28241-7143.)
• The award is presented to people at all levels of the organization (executive board, district Scouters, unit personnel) and to people of all races and income levels.
• The council's annual quota of awards shall not exceed the number of districts in the council. Emphasis is on being selective, with no intention that the full quota must be used every year. The quota is noncumulative.
• The council president designates a committee to administer the award for the council. This may be a special Asian American Spirit of Scouting Award committee or the council's advancement and recognition committee, Silver Beaver committee, or council Scoutreach committee. The committee should include at least one person who is familiar with the Asian American community. The Scout executive or a designated staff member serves as adviser to the committee.
• The committee screens, prioritizes, and selects worthy nominees. Nominations may be submitted to the committee by committee members, professional staff, or any other registered Scouter.
• Nominations are then submitted by the local council to the Scoutreach Division at the national office. Please allow 60 days for review and consideration of approval by a national volunteer committee and delivery of the award. Approval should be received before the award is announced or presented.
• Select a highly visible event with an appropriate ceremony to present the award. Council and district appreciation dinners, annual business meetings, testimonial dinners, or a major function that the recipient is associated with provide excellent settings for the award presentation.
• The presentation might also involve other community agencies that are actively involved with serving the Asian American community (such as the United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce).

Application and Info

Description: white on purple knot on tan background with purple border.

The International Scouter's Award encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in world Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting.

Award Requirements:

Applicants must be currently registered adult Scouters of the Boy Scouts of America. All applicants must receive the approval of their local council's international committee chairperson or international representative and their council Scout executive. Complete any six of the following, from at least three of the following categories:

1. Giving leadership to international Scouting:
   1. Serve as council international representative, council international committee member, or BSA International Committee member for a minimum of three consecutive years.
   2. Serve as a registered adult leader with a Direct Service Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, or Venturing crew.
   3. Serve at least one year in any international Scouting position approved by the BSA International Division.
2. Giving leadership to international events held in the United States:
   1. Host Scouts/Scouters (minimum of three visitors per group) from another country as part of an official national, council, district, or unit activity.
   2. Serve on the international staff at a national Scout jamboree.
   3. Assist in the organization of your council's participation in the International Camp Staff program. Be responsible for bringing a foreign Scout on staff to the council's summer camp program for two summer camp seasons.
3. Giving leadership to international events held in other countries:
   1. Serve as an adult leader in a BSA contingent to a world Scout jamboree or Pan-American Scout jamboree.
   2. Serve as an adult leader for a group of BSA Scoutsparticipating in an event held by a foreign Scout association recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The activity may be an exchange program, camp experience, tour activity, or home hospitality function.
   3. Serve on the international service staff of a world Scout jamboree.
4. Educating self and others:
   1. Attend an international Scout conference at the Philmont Training Center. Share what you have learned with others in your council.
   2. Promote international Scouting at a district, council, regional, or national event.
   3. Participate in organizing or providing leadership for a BSA Scout activity in another country that involves interaction with Scouts from that country, such as an exchange program, camping experience, or tour activity.
5. Giving support to international Scouting:
   1. Organize a collection for the World Friendship Fund at two district and/or council events.
   2. Become or recruit a member of the Order of the Condor for the Interamerican Scout Foundation.
   3. Become or recruit a Baden-Powell Fellow for the World Scout Foundation.

Application

Description: Blue globe with three stars on red and white striped background with dark green border. Worn with two stars to wearer's right. Colors correspond to red and white striped ribbon on medal.

The award is a distinguished service award similar to the Silver Buffalo, Silver Antelope, and Silver Beaver.

Award Requirements:

The Boy Scouts of America may award the Silver World Award for distinguished service to youth on an international basis upon the following basis and procedure:

• The award may be presented to citizens of any country whose Scout association is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, in recognition of his or her service of exceptional character to the youth of his or her own country, or on an international basis.
• The recipient does not have to be a member of a Scout association. United States citizens may receive the Silver World Award for international service to youth, provided they are not registered members of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Approved awards may be presented by an authorized member of the Boy Scouts of America either by a personal visit with the recipient or at an official meeting of a National Scout Association, including the BSA.
• Nominations will be reviewed by and selections made by a subcommittee of the National Court of Honor.
• Nominations are made in writing by letter, containing all the pertinent facts about an individual in support of the nomination.
• As evidence of the award, there will be presented a suitable certificate duly authorized by the Boy Scouts of America.

The award design will be a circular blue enamel silver medallion upon which will be superimposed meridian lines and stars signifying the global scope of the award. An applied silver universal badge of the Boy Scouts of America will be centered upon the front of the medallion.

The award will be suspended upon a red and white ribbon and will be worn about the neck of the recipient, when such practice does not conflict with approved uniforming policy.

Nominations should be submitted to the International Division for consideration of a special selection committee.

1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
972-580-2401
intnldiv@netbsa.org

Description: Silver knot on green/red/blue background with silver border.

The Venturing Leadership Award is presented by councils, regions, or National Council to venturers and adults having made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Venturing code.

Award Requirements:

• Venturing Leadership Award candidates must be registered and involved in Venturing as a Venturer or an adult for at least one year.
• Candidates must hold a leadership position or office on the unit, district, council, area, region or national level (as appropriate for the level of award presented).
• Candidates must show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and service to Venturing and to Venturers on the level appropriate for the award.

There are three levels of award:

• Council: Medallion suspended from blue and white ribbon and worn around the neck. (For unit-, district-, and council-level recognition.)
• Area/Region: Medallion suspended from green and white ribbon and worn around the neck.
• National: Medallion suspended from red and white ribbon and worn around the neck.

Application