Previous page: Summary (Merit Badges)
Other Awards, Achievements, and Recognitions
In addition to the numerous merit badges and the ranks advancements, scouting provides numerous other opportunities to learn and to have fun while providing special awards and recognitions for these efforts. These may be for the troop, patrol, or the individual scout — and some even for adult leaders. Several of these may be earned, while others are bestowed based on phenomenal service. This chapter discusses the most common of these extra opportunities and recognitions.
Note: This book does not list the requirements. See the official Boy Scouts Requirements book and other scouting applications for official requirements or contact the local council service center for applications.
Boardsailing BSA
The Boardsailing BSA patch (worn on swim shorts) recognizes scouts who can show skills with boardsailing preparation and sailing. The requirements also involve safety and explaining equipment.
BSA Lifeguard
Scouts, at least 15 years old, can become a BSA Lifeguard by completing the BSA Lifeguard course and American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (or approved equivalent) training and numerous other tasks related to swimming experience, swimming skills, rescue techniques, search techniques, and advanced first aid. They also need to pass a written test and serve as a lifeguard.
Boy Scout Leader's Training Award
The Boy Scout Leader's Training Award is awarded for adults who completed training courses, served for two years, and participated or supervised in various activities, such as attending roundtables, Courts of Honor, and campouts.
Den Chief Service Award
Trained Den Chiefs may receive this recognition for serving in a Cub Scout pack for a year and various other requirements as listed in the Den Chief Handbook.
50-Miler Award
The 50-Miler Award may be earned for planning and completing a five-day 50-mile trail or boat trip (without motors) and performing service.
Firem'n Chit
The Firem'n Chit certification, available as a patch and a wallet card, covers fire safety, camp fire, and related Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles. In some cases, the card may be taken if the boy is not responsible with fire.
Historic Trails Award
Scouts who hike and camp for two days along one of 300-plus BSA-approved historic trails or sites may earn the Historic Trails Award. The scouts will also study the site and perform related service. Example sites include the Missions Historic Trail in San Antonio, Texas and the Covered Wagon Trail near Omaha, Nebraska.
Hornaday Awards
The William T. Hornaday Badge and Medals honor units and individuals for exceptional service or several years of commitment related to recycling, forestry management, pollution control, and natural resource conservation.
Interpreter Strip
The Interpreter Strip, which identifies a foreign language or signing, is worn above the the right pocket. To receive this, the individual shows he or she can translate (written and orally), write, and converse in the foreign language or in sign language.
Leave No Trace Achievement Award
Scouts who learn and live by the principles of Leave No Trace and perform related service and other requirements can earn this award.
A summary of the Leave No Trace principles follows:
- Plan and prepare before outdoor activities.
- Do activities on durable surfaces and be careful around and protect sensitive areas.
- Pack out litter and properly dispose of waste.
- Leave nature and cultural artifacts as you found them.
- Consider using stoves instead of campfires (and use safe and minimal impact decisions).
- Respect wildlife by observing from distance, not restricting water access, not polluting, and not feeding them.
- Be courteous to other outdoor visitors.
Kayaking BSA
This patch, worn on swim shorts, recognizes scouts who can demonstrate knowledge and skill with kayaking.
Mile Swim BSA
The Mile Swim emblem is awarded to scouts who swim one mile over an approved and supervised course. The scout also discusses exercise and safety precautions and performs at least four days of supervised training.
National Camping Awards
Different level awards are available for troops for annual or cumulative camping, such as ten nights of camping annually or accumulating 1000 nights of camping. Individual scouts can also earn the awards (including family campouts).
National Quality Unit Award
The National Quality Unit Award recognized units that achieve certain goals during a charter year. These included adult leader training, two-deep leadership, six outdoor activities, on-time renewal, planning conference conducted, calendar published and presented at a family activity, service project, ongoing advancement, troop retention or growth, Boys' Life subscriptions, youth leadership training, and more.
The Journey to Excellence program also recognizes quality troops based on similar goals.
National Honor Patrol Award
The award may be earned for an entire patrol that shows three months success of performing as a patrol, such as good attendance, completing service projects (or ``good turns''), advancements, and other requirements. This was formerly known as the Baden-Powell Patrol Award.
National Court of Honor Lifesaving and Meritous Action Awards
These awards recognize individuals for significant service or exceptional heroism — such as attempting to save a life with great risk. Since 1924, around 250 individuals have received the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.
National Outdoor Badge(s)
The National Outdoor Badges recognize scouts accumulating experience in adventure, aquatics, camping, hiking, or riding. These five areas are available as segments that are placed around the embroidered National Outdoor Awards badge. The applicant must have earned his First Class rank and complete various related merit badges and additional tasks or awards.
The National Medal for Outdoor Achievement may be awarded to scouts who have earned multiple National Outdoor badges, merit badges, complete official Wilderness First Aid course, and perform other requirements.
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is an honor society for scouting. It offers further leadership training and provides camp promotion. The candidate for OA must be at least a First Class and have 15 days and nights of camping within the previous two years. He is elected by his troop and approved by his Scoutmaster.
At a special event, such as a summer campfire program, the OA candidates are tapped out to begin the Ordeal process. This may involve camping overnight and spending a day in service — or hard labor. Often, the scout has little to eat, only a few supplies, and will be silent for the entire night and day. The other levels are the Brotherhood and the rare Vigil Honor.
An OA member is part of an OA lodge, often named after Native American terms. They may hold monthly meetings. OA members are identified by a lodge patch on their right chest pocket flap and a narrow white sash with a red arrow on it draped over the shoulder and opposite hip. (There are different sashes for each level.)
Paul Bunyan Woodsman
The Paul Bunyan Woodsman patch may be awarded for scouts who earn the Totin' Chip, teach Totin' Chip skills, and perform approved forestry service such as building a retaining wall or clearing trails with a three-quarter ax or saw.
Religious Emblems
The BSA believes that citizens have an obligation to God. Scouts have an on-going reminder to their duty to God and that a scout is reverent. Several religions expand on this for scouting and offer awards or recognitions for further study or following their faith's tenants. They define their own requirements which are approved by the Boy Scouts of America. For details or a specific booklet, contact your religious organization or your local council center. Common requirements may include: daily religious study, memorizing scripture verses, participating in worship services, reflecting on lessons learned, reaching personal goals, and performing service.
Often the presentation of the award is done during a religious ceremony. Scouts may wear a religious emblem square knot on their uniform above the left pocket.
Some troops participate in a special Scout Sabbath or Scout Sunday, commonly on the first or second week of February. They may wear full uniforms to their church service.
Scoutmaster's Key
The Scoutmaster's Key is an award for Scoutmasters who have already earned the Boy Scout Leader's Training Award and their unit earned the National Quality Unit Award twice (within three years). It requires three years service, additional training, and the Scoutmaster must conduct youth leader training.
SCOUTStrong Presidential Active Lifestyle Award
The SCOUTStrong PALA Challenge Award is a new recognition to encourage scouts and adults to live active lifestyles. To earn the patch, scouts need to keep track of 60 minutes of physical activity a day, five days a week, for six weeks. Adults need to do physical activity 30 minutes a day.
Scuba BSA
Scuba BSA is awarded to individuals who prove safety, knowledge, and swimming, scuba, and diving skills to an official instructor. This patch is worn on swim shorts.
Snorkeling BSA
The Snorkeling BSA award, which is worn on swim shorts, has numerous requirements including swimming, safety, survival, snorkeling signals, and various snorkeling skills.
Totin' Chip
The Totin' Chip is a contract scouts have to follow safety and respect guidelines with knifes, axes, saws, and other blades. The boy receives a card when he demonstrates the requirements to his leader. Often troops and scout camps require this before a boy may use blades (and it is a requirement for the Woodcarving merit badge). The boy may lose this privilege if he breaks the rules.
Trained Leader
The Trained Leader patch is awarded to adults or youth who have completed important standard training courses, including training specific to their position. The patch is worn on the left sleave below the position patch (that the training was for).
World Conservation Award
Scouts may earn the World Conservation Award by earning the Citizenship in the World, Environmental Science, and either the Fish and Wildlife Management or Soil and Water Conservation merit badges.
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