Awards For Adult Leaders
Awards adult leaders earn:
Most of the major religious bodies in the United States have programs to recognize adult volunteers who demonstrate faith, observe their creeds or principles, and give service.
The religious emblems are not Scouting awards; however, they may be worn on the upper left pocket of the adult leader uniform.
This award recognizes den leaders who have completed training, tenure, and performance requirements.
It is available for Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos den leaders and can be earned in each position, but tenure must be completed separately for each award. In addition to a certificate and a medal, a yellow square knot on a blue background is available to wear on the uniform.
Scouting is a worldwide organization and encourages youth and adults to share their culture and heritage with others. The interpreter strip informs others that you can communicate in a foreign language, American sign language, or Morse code. Youth and adults may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of a foreign language or the sign language for the hearing impaired by:
Carrying on a five-minute conversation in this language
Translating a two-minute speech or address
Writing a letter in the language (does not apply for sign language)
Translating 200 words from the written word
James E. West Fellowship Award
Like many community organizations, Scouting requires financial support today and into the future. This award is presented to recognize those who have given at a particular level to local council endowment funds. To learn more about this and other awards associated with financial gifts to Scouting, contact your local council service center.
Leave No Trace Awareness Award
This award can be presented to registered Cub Scout adult leaders who have two years’ tenure in the pack and have completed position-specific training and other performance requirements designed to encourage and recognize those who give of their resources to make the pack successful. Tenure does not need to be in the same position. In addition to a certificate and medal, a green square knot on a khaki background is available to wear on the uniform.
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.
Service Stars
Just as you recognize Cub Scouts with service stars, adult leaders are also eligible to receive these pins. After one year of service an adult may be presented with a one-year service star. An adult who has been involved in Scouting as a youth or has been involved for more than five years is also eligible for the Veteran Award. There is no application for this recognition.
After five years of registered service in the Boy Scouts of America, an adult may, upon application, receive the designation of “Veteran.” There are additional veteran awards for every five years.
Applications are submitted to the local council service center.
As local communities grow, the opportunity to start a new pack increases. For those adults who establish a new pack, troop, crew, or ship with a chartered organization, a special silver knot on a yellow, green, and red background is available to wear on the uniform. If you are interested in starting a new pack, troop, crew, or ship, contact your local council service center.
Recognition for adult leaders for exceptional service (presented by the local district or council):
Community Organization Award
Community Organization Award is a generic term used by the BSA to identify a category of awards used by secular, national, and 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 than 20 different national chartered organizations have this award.
District Award of Merit
This is the highest honor a local district can bestow upon a volunteer. The award is presented to Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level. How districts accept nominations and present this award may vary. In addition to a plaque, certificate, and medal, a silver overhand knot on a blue background is presented to be worn on the uniform.
George Meany Award
¡Scouting! ... Vale la Pena! Service Award
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.
Silver Beaver
The highest honor a council can bestow on a volunteer is the Silver Beaver. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given at the council level. How councils accept nominations and present this award may vary. In addition to a certificate and medal, a white-and-blue square knot on a khaki background is presented to be worn on the uniform.
Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award
The Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award recognizes outstanding service by an adult or an organization involved in development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds. In addition to a certificate and medal, a bronze-and-white square knot on a black background and gold border is presented to be worn on the uniform.