Square Knots - Meaning and Placement

• Personal Achievement:
  • Arrow of Light Award
  • Eagle Scout Award
  • Venturing Silver Award
  • Sea Scout Quartermaster Award
  
  
• Recognition:
  • James West Fellowship Award
  • Medal of Merit
  • Heroism Award
  • Honor Medal
  • Youth Religious Emblem Award
  
  
• Service:
  • Adult Religious Service Award
  • Community Organization Award
  • District/Division Award of Merit
  • George Meany Award
  • Distinguished Commissioner Service Award
  • Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service
  • Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award
  • Silver Antelope Award
  • Silver Beaver Award
  • Silver Buffalo Award
  • William D. Boyce Award
  • Scouting Service Award
  • Special Needs Scouting Service Award
  • Whitney Young Jr. Service Award
  • ¡Scouting ... Vale La Pena! Award
  • Asian American Award
  • International Scouter Award
  • Silver World Award
  • Venturing Leadership Award
  • NESA Life Membership Award
  • Philmont Training center Master Track Award
  • Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award
  • Alumni Award
  
  
• Training:
  • Den Leader Award
  • Unit Leader Award of Merit
  • Scouter's Key Award
  • Scout Leader's Training Award
  
  
• Professional:
  • Professional Training Award
  
  
• Retired or Discontinued:
  • Cubmaster Award
  • Cub Scouter Award
  • Den Leader Award - Webelos
  • Den Leader Award - Tigers
  • Explorer G.O.L.D award, Silver award, and Achievement award
  • Pack Trainer Award
  • Scouter Award of Merit
  • Speaker Bank Award
  • Sea Badge
  • William T. Hornaday Award

• An Arrow of Light scout earns the Arrow of Light rank by completing requirements from the Arrow of Light handbook. The Arrow of Light rank is the hightest Cub Scout rank available. The rank patch is worn as an Arrow of Light scout and as a Scouts BSA - adults wear the square knot symbol.
  (Historically, this was considered an award earned by Webelos scouts, but was changed to a rank in 2024.)

• A Scouts BSA earns the Eagle Scout award by completing requirements from the Scouts BSA handbook. The Eagle Scout award is the highest youth rank in scouting. The award patch is worn as a Scouts BSA - adults wear the square knot symbol.

• Earn one Venturing Bronze Award.
• Earn the Venturing Gold Award, which includes knowing and living the Venturing Oath, service, personal development, and 12 months' tenure.
• Be proficient in emergency preparedness, including earning Standard First Aid and CPR certification, and knowing and using Safe Swim Defense.
• Demonstrate leadership, including successfully completing the Venturing Leadership Skills Course.
• Participate in the Ethics in Action program, including Ethical Controversies activities and an Ethics Forum.
• Show a crew review committee you have met the requirements for the Venturing Silver Award.

• Ideals. Must lead a discussion on 'participating citizenship' and submit a paper on the 'World Brotherhood of Scouting.'
• Membership. Attend at least 75 percent of ship meetings and activities for 18 months. Present a talk on Sea Scouting and complete a service project.
• Special Skills. Complete the 11 special skills required for Quartermaster, which include:
  1. Boats
  2. Marlinspike Seamanship
  3. Ground Tackle
  4. Piloting
  5. Signaling
  6. Swimming
  7. Cruising
  8. Safety
  9. First Aid
  10. Rules of the Road
  11. Weather
• Electives. Complete four of the following electives: sailing, engine, radio, boat maintenance, electricity, navigation, drill, piloting, rigging, yacht racing crew.

• The Merit Medal honors Scouts, Venturers and Scouters that have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected of a youth or adult member of Scouting America. Key in the difference between this award and the Heroism awards is that the action need not involve saving life, but must employ some aspect of Scouting learning or skills in the execution.

• The Heroism Award is presented to Scouts and Scouters that have saved a life at little or no personal risk. In the past, those persons would receive a Certificate of Heroism from the local Council. Today, those previous holders of Certificates of Heroism as well as present Scouts, Explorers or Scouters are honored with the present Medal.

• The Honor Medal is presented to Scouts and Scouters shown courage in attempting to save a life with personal risk. This award has been presented posthumously to Scouts who have died while attempting to save the life of another. In very exceptional cases the award is presented with crossed gold palms to Scouts and Scouters who have attempted to save a life at great personal risk demonstrating exceptional heroism.

• Religious emblems are for all members of Scouting America that wish to pursue them. The Youth Awards are earned through work with the individual religious unit and the requirements for each are set by the church and not by Scouting America. Once earned, the award is generally presented by the church or religious group but may also be recognized by the Scout unit at an event such as a Court of Honor or Troop meeting or Pack meeting. This award may be earned as a youth, or presented to an adult that is nominated. Once earned as a youth, the knot may be displayed on the uniform from that time forward. If a Scout earns the youth award and as an adult later is presented the adult award as well, both knots may be worn. For each faith, a specific set of requirements is published and is established by the religious faith and not by Scouting America. For a listing of resources for each of the religious faiths that participate in this program, see the P.R.A.Y. web site

• James E. West served as the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America for over 30 years. The West Fellowship award is available for gifts of $1,000 or more to a council endowment fund. The gift must be in addition to -and not replace or diminish - the donor's annual Friends of Scouting support.
  The James E. West Fellowship Award is an 8-by-10-inch certificate, personalized with the donor's name, date of gift, and council name. In addition, there will be a distinctive lapel pin/charm and an embroidered square knot for uniform wear. While it is a national recognition, the James E. West Fellowship award is authorized and presented by the local council.

• 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 and Scouting America page

• Community Organization Award is a generic term used by Scouting America 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 Scouting America 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 Scouting America.
  To ensure compatibility with the objectives and mission of Scouting America, the concept, requirements, and criteria for presenting the award must be approved by the Scouting America national Relationships Committee.
  For list of organizations and details, see this web page

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.

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 Scouting America. 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 Scouting America 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 Scouting America.

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 Scouting 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

• 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 Scouting America
• Conduct at least nine roundtables/huddles per year for the past two consecutive years

Any registered commissioner who is providing direct unit service is eligible to earn the Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service, through unit service and a project that results in improved retention of members and on-time unit recharter, over the course of two consecutive years. If a commissioner who is not registered as a unit commissioner wishes to earn this award, they must work with the district commissioner where the unit(s) is/are registered.

• Technical Skills: Use UVTS 2.0 to log unit visits and generate reports
• Participation:
  1. Be a participant or staff member in ONE continuing education event for commissioner service.1 For example: district, council, territory, or national College of Commissioner Science, commissioner conference, Philmont, Sea Base, or Summit training.
  2. Make at least six physical visits to each assigned unit per year and log with UVTS 2.0. Examples: unit meetings, unit activities, leader meetings, and summer camp visitations
  3. Make at least six significant contacts (in addition to those made in item 2) for each unit served, by telephone, twoway electronic communication, or in person, and log in UVTS 2.0.
• Training and Experience:
  1. Complete Commissioner Basic Training
  2. Provide rechartering service by holding membership inventories, training verification, and Journey to Excellence progress review meetings. Perform charter presentations for the chartered organizations of the units you serve.
• Performance: Identify a specific goal in a specific unit that would result in higher quality unit performance. Create a written plan to achieve the goal. Track unit self-assessments and retention for two years.

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.

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 Scouting America or independent of the movement.

The Silver Antelope Award, created in 1942, is granted for outstanding service to youth within a Scouting America Council Territory. There are 14 separate Council Territories. The criteria is similar to the Silver Buffalo except that a recipient must be a registered adult member of Scouting America. Awards are bestowed on the basis of the number of registered volunteers in a territory.

Established in 1931, the Silver Beaver Award is presented for distinguished service to young people within a Scouting America 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 Scouting America. Silver Beaver Awards are presented on the basis of the number of units in a council.

• 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, Scouts BSA 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.
• Scouting 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, Scouts BSA 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.

This award recognizes adult volunteers who have earned one of the following five different awards, each celebrating a leader's dedication to a special segment of Scouting:
• Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award*
• ¡Scouting... Vale la Pena! Service Award*
• Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award*
• American Indian Scouting Association Grey Wolf Award
• Special Needs Scouting Service Award

1. Complete the following two (2) requirements:
   1. Be a registered adult or professional staff with the B.S.A. and maintain current Youth Protection Training.
   2. Actively participate in activities concerning youth who have disabilities/special needs through either the unit (pack, troop or crew), or at either the District or Council or Territory or National level for three (3) years.
2. Complete 6 of the following 12 requirements:
   1. Attend a training seminar or conference on disabilities/special needs sponsored and conducted by the B.S.A or through an organization that serves youth and/or adults with disabilities/special needs, i.e. A.R.C., Blind Associations, Cerebral Palsy Agencies, Independent Living Resource Centers, Autism Societies, Special Olympics, etc.
   2. Present one of the nationally approved disabilities/special needs classes (e.g., classes within the College of Commissioner Science curriculum or classes prepared by the National Disabilities Awareness Subcommittee) at any level.
   3. Serve as a Staff member at either a District, Council, Territory or National event which presents a theme of youth with disabilities/special needs in Scouting.
   4. Create and organize a unit (pack, troop or crew) to primarily serve youth with disabilities/special needs and be open for membership by youth not possessing disabilities/special needs.
   5. Serve as a Mentor for a Scout who has disabilities/special needs for six (6) months.
   6. Serve as a Group Discussion leader on Scouting for youth with disabilities/special needs at either a Roundtable or District Commissioner meeting or similar gathering of volunteer Scouters and/or professional Scouters.
   7. Promote and assist in organizing and conducting an outdoor event for youth with disabilities/special needs, or one that promotes disabilities awareness and acceptance among those who don't have a disability.
   8. Recruit and register either two (2) adults to volunteer in providing Scouting opportunities to youth with disabilities/special needs or recruit two (2) youth with disabilities/special needs to join Scouting and remain a member for one (1) year.
   9. Assist the District or Council in forming a Partnership with an organization that serves individuals with disabilities/special needs.
   10. Actively serve on a District, Council, Territory or National Committee on Scouting with disabilities/special needs for two years.
   11. Assist the local council in efforts to raise funds for Scouts with disabilities/special needs concerning activities within the Scouting program.
   12. Assist the local council in a public awareness campaign to heighten knowledge of Scouting with disabilities/special needs.

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 Scouting America. Recipients are approved nationally through nomination by local councils.

• 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).

• 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).

1. Giving leadership to international Scouting:
   1. Serve as a council international representative for a minimum of two consecutive years.
   2. Serve as a council international committee member or as a member of Scouting America's International Committee for a minimum of three consecutive years.
   3. Serve as a registered adult leader with a Direct Service, Far East Council, or Transatlantic Council Cub Scout pack, Scouts BSA troop, or Venturing crew.
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 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 Scouting America contingent to a world Scout jamboree or Pan-American Scout jamboree.
   2. Serve as an adult leader for a group of Scouting America Scouts participating 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, territory, or national event.
   3. Participate in organizing or providing leadership for a Scouting America 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.

1. 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.
2. 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 Scouting America.
3. Approved awards may be presented by an authorized member of Scouting America either by a personal visit with the recipient or at an official meeting of a National Scout Association, including Scouting America.
4. Nominations will be reviewed by and selections made by a subcommittee of the National Court of Honor.
5. Nominations are made in writing by letter, containing all the pertinent facts about an individual in support of the nomination.
6. As evidence of the award, there will be presented a suitable certificate duly authorized by Scouting America.

• Venturing Leadership Award candidates must be registered and involved as a Venturer for at least one year.
• Candidate must be a youth member when nominated for the award.
• Candidate must hold a leadership position or office on the unit, district, council, territory or national level (as appropriate for the level of award presented).
• Candidate must show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and service to Venturing and to Venturers on the level appropriate for the award.

• Council: Medallion suspended from blue and white ribbon and worn around the neck. (For unit-, district-, and council-level recognition.)
• Territory: 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.

• Attend the PTC as a participant

• Take an additional course at PTC
• Recruit 3 people to attend a PTC course
• Teach a Scouting America course in your district, council, or territory

• Do one of the following two items:
  • Serve as a Faculty Member on a PTC Course
  • Attend an additional training course at the PTC
• Recruit at least 3 people to attend a PTC course
• Do one of the following three items:
  • Coordinate a Council or Territory Cluster approved training event and coordinate and staff a promotional booth for the PTC at a council event
  • Conduct a Council "Philmont Family Meeting" to share PTC information and encourage family participation
  • Teach a training course in a foreign country coordinated and approved by the Scouting America International Division

• All requirements must have been completed after June 1, 2009.
• Applicants must be currently registered adult Scouters of Scouting America.
• All applicants must receive the approval of their local council's alumni relations committee chairperson and their council Scout executive.

• Alumni Identification/Promotion - 3 of 5 possible requirements
• Alumni Engagement - all 4 requirements
• Personal Participation - all 4 requirements
• Personal Education - any one of the three requirements

• Complete the basic training for the selected den leader position.
• Attend a pow wow or university of Scouting (or equivalent supplemental training as determined by the council), or attend at least four roundtables during the tenure used for this award.

• Have an assistant den leader who meets regularly with your den/patrol.
• Have a den chief who meets regularly with your den/patrol.
• Have at least 70% of your active den/patrol Cub Scouts renew their Scouting America registration, or cross over to a Scouts BSA troop.
• Take leadership in planning and conducting a den/patrol service project.
• Have a published meeting/activity schedule for the den/patrol's parents.
• Participate with your den/patrol in a Cub Scout day camp or resident camp.
• Complete Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO).
• Participate with your den in at least one pack camping activity. For Arrow of Light patrols, at least two pack or patrol camping activities.
• Take leadership in planning two den/patrol outdoor activities.
• Hold monthly activity planning sessions with your assistant den leaders.

1. Be a currently registered Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach, or Advisor who has served in that position at least 18 continuous months.
2. Meet the training requirements for the registered position.
3. Distribute a printed or electronic annual unit program plan and calendar to each family in the unit.
4. Have a leader succession plan in place.
5. Effectively use the advancement method so that at least 60 percent of the unit's youth have advanced at least once during the last 12 months.
6. Cultivate a positive relationship with the chartered organization.
7. Project a positive image of Scouting in the community.

• Within a five-year period, complete at least three years of registered tenure as a Cubmaster or one year as a registered assistant Cubmaster plus two years as a registered Cubmaster. (This can include the tenure used to earn the Scouter's Training Award.)

• Complete basic training for Cubmasters.
• Complete This Is Scouting training.
• Attend a pow wow or university of Scouting (or equivalent), or attend at least four roundtables (or equivalent) during each year of the tenure used for this award.

• Achieve at least the Silver level of Journey to Excellence for at least two years. The Quality Unit Award is acceptable if the tenure used is prior to 2011.
• Earn the National Summertime Pack Award at least once.
• Conduct an annual pack planning session and have a published pack meeting/activity schedule for the pack's parents in each year.
• Participate in at least one additional supplemental or advanced training event at the council, territory, or national level.

• Complete at least three years of registered tenure as a Scoutmaster within a five-year period. (This can include the tenure used to earn the Scouter's Training Award.)

• Complete basic training for Scoutmasters.
• Complete This Is Scouting training.
• Attend a university of Scouting (or equivalent), or attend at least four roundtables (or equivalent) during each year of the tenure used for this award.

• Achieve at least the Silver level of Journey to Excellence for at least two years. The Quality Unit Award is acceptable if the tenure used is prior to 2011.
• Earn the National Outdoor Challenge Award at least once.
• Conduct an annual troop planning session and have a published troop meeting/activity schedule for the troop's parents in each year.
• Participate in at least one additional supplemental or advanced training event at the council, territory, or national level.

• 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.)

• Complete basic training for Advisors.
• Complete This Is Scouting training.
• Attend a university of Scouting (or equivalent), or attend at least four roundtables/teen leaders' councils/Venturing officers association meetings (or equivalent) during each year of the tenure used for this award.

• Achieve at least the Silver level of Journey to Excellence for at least two years. The Quality Unit Award is acceptable if the tenure used is prior to 2011.
• Have an annual crew planning session and have a published crew meeting/activity schedule for the crew in each year.
• Participate in at least one additional supplemental or advanced training event at the council, territory, or national level.

• Complete three years of registered tenure as a Skipper within a five-year period.

• Complete This is Scouting and Venture Leader Youth Protection Guidelines.
• Complete Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training.
• Complete a boating safety course offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, or similar organization.

• At least twice during the 3-year period serve as the Skipper of a ship earning the Journey to Excellence Award or Centennial Quality Unit Award.

• Complete at least 2 years of tenure as a registered adult leader in a Cub Scout pack.

• Complete basic training for any Cub Scout leader position.
• Complete This Is Scouting training.
• Attend a pow wow or university of Scouting (or equivalent), or attend at least four roundtables (or equivalent) during each year of the tenure used for this award.

• Participate in an annual pack planning meeting in each year.
• Serve as an adult leader in a pack that achieves at least the Bronze level of Journey to Excellence in each year. The Quality Unit Award is acceptable if the tenure used is prior to 2011.
• Give primary leadership in meeting at least one pack Journey to Excellence objective in each year.
• Participate in at least one additional supplemental or advanced training event at the council, territory, or national level during the two years.

• Complete at least two years of tenure as a registered adult leader in a Scouts BSA troop.

• Complete basic training for any Scouts BSA leader position.
• Complete This Is Scouting training.
• Attend a university of Scouting (or equivalent), or attend at least four roundtables (or equivalent) during each year of the tenure used for this award.

• Participate in an annual troop planning meeting in each year.
• Serve as an adult leader in a troop that achieves at least the Bronze level of Journey to Excellence in each year. The Quality Unit Award is acceptable if the tenure used is prior to 2011.
• Give primary leadership in meeting at least one troop Journey to Excellence objective in each year.
• Participate in at least one additional supplemental or advanced training event at the council, territory, or national level during the two years.

• Complete at least two years of tenure as a registered adult leader in a Venturing crew.

• Complete basic training for any Venturing leader position.
• Complete This Is Scouting training.
• Attend a university of Scouting (or equivalent), or attend at least four roundtables/teen leaders' council meetings/ Venturing officers association meetings (or equivalent) during each year of the tenure used for this award.

• Participate in an annual crew planning meeting in each year.
• Serve as an adult leader in a crew that achieves at least the Bronze level of Journey to Excellence in each year. The Quality Unit Award is acceptable if the tenure used is prior to 2011.
• Give primary leadership in meeting at least one crew Journey to Excellence objective in each year.
• Participate in at least one additional supplemental or advanced training event at the council, territory, or national level during the two years.

• Complete three years of registered tenure in any adult capacity in Sea Scouting

• Complete New Leader Essentials and Venturing Position Specific Training
• Complete the Sea Scout Officers Specialized Training
• Complete a boating safety course offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, or similar organization

• Perform to the satisfaction of the Skipper your assigned leadership duties

• Complete or participate in five of eight training or coaching programs (including Wood Badge, Exploring Advanced Seminar, and National Camping School)
• Successfully attend all three sessions of the Professional Executive Institute (PEI).

• Meet all critical achievements in his or her District/Division/Council for two of the three years.

Description: Light blue over light blue knot on gold field with gold border.

This award has been discontinued in 2013. Cubmasters can now earn the Scouter's Key award.

Description: Gold over light blue knot on blue field with blue border.

This award has been discontinued in 2013. Pack leaders can now earn the Scout Leader's Training award.

Description: Blue and Gold knot on gold field with blue border.

This award has been discontinued in 2013.

Description: Black over orange knot on gold field with orange border.

This award has been discontinued in 2012. All den leaders can now earn the Den Leader's award.

Description: orange on orange knot on gold field with gold border.

This award has been discontinued in 2012. All den leaders can now earn the Den Leader's award.

Description: white on white knot on tan field with tan border.

Superceded by Unit Leader Award of Merit.

Description: Gold knot on black background with black border.

This award has been discontinued.

Description: Blue trident on white background with silver border. (White on blue is also available for blue uniform.)
The Single Trident is the only official knot and is presented to conference attendees; double trident is for staff members; triple trident is for course directors.

This award has been discontinued.

• The William T. Hornaday Award recognizes Scouts and Scouters for their service to conservation and ecology efforts in their communities. There are six different Hornaday awards with an ever-increasing scale of challenge. The youth individual awards are based on earning certain merit badges and completing one or more significant conservation projects.
• The Silver Medal award is the highest possible attainment in conservation for a Scouts BSA
• The Gold Medal is the highest possible attainment in conservation for a Scouter. The gold medal may be considered when a qualified Scouter is recommended by his or her council, by an established conservation organization, or by any recognized conservationist. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a national or international level, reflecting the natural resource conservation/environmental awareness mission of Scouting America. Nominations must be approved by Scouting America's national conservation committee.
• A Unit Certificate can be awared to a den, patrol, or group of five or more Scouts for a unique, substantial, conservational project, but the square knot is reserved for those earning one of the medals.

This award has been discontinued.