The Missing Roundtable Session – November 2020
Awards, awards, awards, and more awards. Awards may be a simple thank you, a certificate, a patch, a trophy, or a gift. Awards are recognition for a job well done. Awards are the motivation to “Do Your Best!” and to try new things. Awards, from Bobcat to Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts and from the Scout rank (badge shown on the left) to Eagle Scout in Scouts BSA, drive your Scouting program. There are Scouting awards established by Boy Scouts of America and awards established by other authorities that can be earned by Scouts and Scouters. There are awards for Scouts and awards for Scouters. Let’s take a look at some familiar and some unfamiliar awards that you can use to enhance your Scouting Program.
Awards that Drive Your Unit Program
Advancement is one of the Methods of Scouting and advancement awards are a prime mover of Scouting activity in your unit. They are THE motivator of achievement for your Scouts. I have never seen a Scout beam with such well-deserved pride as when they have earned their next rank advancement. But I encourage you and your Scouts to take a look around along the trail to advancement because there are more achievements that can be earned along the way.
Applies To: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Den, and Pack
Of course, you probably already know this. But did you know that you can supplement the program provided by rank advancement requirements with other awards like the National Summertime Pack Award for Cub Scout units. This award eludes some Packs for reasons like “Everyone takes vacation during the summer”. Well, yes they do but not all at once. “It is too big of a job. No one wants to take it on”. It is a big job so split it up. The key to a successful summer program is more, not less
Some of the program is already taken care of for you by civic events like 4th of July parades. Add a pack Movie Night once a month. Throw in a bicycle rodeo or a swim party at a public pool. Now add a summer reading program like “Reading Around the World in 80 Days” or the Scholastic summertime reading program and you have 3 or more options every months. Your Scouts and families should be able to make at least one each month. Heck, if you do a reading program, they can take that anywhere they might go.
Applies To: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award is another great Cub Scout award that drives the Den and Pack program but the Scout must attend either day camp or resident camp to earn it. This can be a financial burden on some Scouts but the Capitol Area Council does not want cost to keep a Scout from achieving all that they can. If your Scout needs financial assistance to attend camp, our annual Trail’s End popcorn fundraiser could be the answer for you. You may also fill out a campership request form to request assistance from Capitols Area Council. In addition to day camp or resident camp, there are several other “outdoor” requirements to earn it. One of the best things about this award is that it can be earned each year as a Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos.
Applies To: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts
Speaking of day camp, while you are there earning the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity award, you will have the opportunity to earn the Cub Scout Shooting Sports awards for both BB guns and archery. But wait, that’s not all. Did you know that there is a third discipline for the Shooting Sports award your Cub Scout can earn?… Slingshot! Just complete the level one requirements to earn the rank-appropriate patch and the level two requirements in the same discipline to earn the discipline device (pin). Rinse and repeat for each shooting sports discipline. The shooting sports awards may only be earned at a district or council owned property under qualified supervision.
Applies To: Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts
The Cub Scout World Conservation award can be earned by Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts. The purpose of the award is to encourage all youth members to think globally and act locally to preserve and improve our environment. In addition to an outdoor conservation project, Scouts must complete conservation requirements and electives that are already part of the rank advancement. There are too few of our Scouts earning this award. Consider coordinating a Pack-level conservation project to enable all of your Scouts to achieve this important award.
Applies To: Scouts and volunteers in all Scouting programs
The Emergency Preparedness BSA award can be earned by Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts in addition to adult leaders. There is a unit award as well as a district and council award when either 30% (bronze), 40% (silver), or 50% (gold) of Scouts at that level earn the award. There are age-appropriate activities to earn the award for each rank. The award is a pin that can be worn on everyday clothes or on the uniform on the left pocket flap.
Here’s a tip: A first aid class is a great start for this award at all rank levels.
Applies to: World Scouting
The Messengers of Peace award is a great pack program-driving award that may also be completed individually. It is a global initiative to turn each Scout in more than 220 countries into ambassadors of peace through community action. By sharing what they have done in their commuity, they can inspire other Scouts to action as well. In this time of the global COVID pandemic, rncourage your Scouts to join the global peace pandemic by completing service projects in their communities. And, for those that go the extra mile, there is the Messengers of Peace Heroes award.
Applies To: Scouts and adults in any BSA program.
The SCOUTStrong series of awards includes the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, the Healthy Unit award, and the BeMedWise award. Aimed at improving health and general well-being of participants, this is another program enhancement that not only delivers recognition, but also tangible physical benefits.
Awards and Recognition for Scouts and Scouters from Other Organizations
There are several awards and recognition offered through other organizations that Scouts and Scouters can earn. These awards are not offered by BSA but, in some cases, may be worn on the Scout uniform. I all cases, they can be earned through the Scouting ptogram.
Applies To: Scouts and Scouters
To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed the Religious Emblems programs. The Boy Scouts of America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official uniform. The various religious groups administer the programs. Check with your local council service center or contact the religious organization directly to obtain the curriculum booklets.
Applies To: All volunteers (Youth and Adults)
The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too. To earn this award, the volunteer must volunteer for a minimum of 100 hours for adults ( (bronze level) during the calendar years. These hours are reduced for younger volunteers down to 26 hours (bronze level) for Cub Scout age volunteers. Contact the Capitol Area Council to certify your hours!
Applies To: Scouters
The concept of the Community Organization Award is similar to the adult religious recognition program in that the award itself and the criteria for granting the award is under the ownership and auspices of the particular national chartered organization which presents the award. The intent of the National Uniform and Insignia Committee is to provide a square knot for Scouters who have received a BSA accepted and authorized award from a national community organization.
District Awards
Every year the North Shore District recognizes our best and brightest achievers at our District Awards Banquet. In truth, it is not always a banquet but it is always our fondest thanks for all that you do.
Unit of the Year
Applies To: All Scouting Units
The Unit of the Year award is based on your unit’s Journey to Excellence score which makes this an award for a well-rounded program that you must earn throughout the program year. Strive for excellence and take the North Shore oar home to your unit.
Applies to: All North Shore District Units
The Northern Star Award recognizes those who have served young people and the Scouting movement. It honors district volunteers as well as an exceptional leader or “star” in each Scouting unit in North Shore District. (For many recipients, this award is the first that they have received for their service.) Each recipient is given a unique certificate placed over a beautiful astrophotograph. Northern Star Award recognitions are presented at the annual District Recognition Ceremony. You may submit your nomination by filling out Northern Star Award Online Form and emailing it to commissioner@northshoredistrict.org
Applies to: All North Shore District volunteers
The Silver Squirrel Award recognizes Scout leaders and supporters for exceptional service to young people. Inspired by such legendary Scouting honors as the Silver Buffalo, Silver Antelope and Silver Beaver Awards, this award is unique to North Shore District. Recipients receive a silver squirrel pendant suspended from a grosgrain ribbon of dark blue and white, the color of the District Award of Merit. Silver Squirrel Award recognitions are presented at the annual District Recognition Ceremony.
Applies To: All district volunteers
The District Award of Merit is the highest award presented and awarded by a district to scout leaders for service to youth. The award is most often presented for service to youth of at least five years. Districts are allowed to present a very limited number of these awards, based on the size of the district. Candidates for this award must be nominated by another scouter (self-nomination disqualifies the candidate). District Award of Merit recognitions are presented at the annual District Recognition Ceremony.
This is not a comprehensive list of awards that Scouts and Scouters can earn, far from it. But, it is a list of notable awards that you may not be aware of, many of which can be easily integrated into your unit program. I hope you find this information useful. Feel free to reach out to your Roundtable team for more information.
