Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America

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Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America is a tradition dating from the inception of the Scouting movement. A fundamental purpose of advancement is the self-confidence a young man or woman acquires from his participation in Scouting. Advancement is one of the methods used in the "Aims of Scouting"– character development, citizenship training and personal fitness.

There are separate advancement and recognition programs for the three main program divisions: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. Each program is designed for its age group and goals.

Cub Scouting

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Main article: Cub Scouting youth advancement

Advancement is one of the methods used to promote the aims of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Everything a Cub Scout does in the advancement program is intended to achieve these aims and aid in personal growth. The program has two tiers of advancement: the classic rank system of Bobcat, Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and the Arrow of Light and the newer Academics and Sports Program.

Boy Scouting

Boy Scout Advancement

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Main article: Ranks in the Boy Scouts of America

The advancement program for Boy Scouts has two phases. The first phase of Scout to First Class is designed to teach the boy Scoutcraft skills, how to participate in a group and to learn self-reliance. Scout is the joining rank, and is awarded when the Scout demonstrates a rudimentary knowledge of the Scouting ideals.[1] Tenderfoot,[2] Second Class[3] and First Class[4] have progressively harder requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.

Focus turns toward individual achievement, leadership and community service once First Class is earned. The ranks of Star,[5] Life[6] and Eagle[7] require a set number of merit badges (minimum of 21 for Eagle Scout, with 13 from a compulsory list), as well as a minimum of time spent in a troop leadership position, and community service requirements, among other things. The rank of Eagle Scout requires the scout plan, develop and lead their own service project that benefits their community or an organization other than Scouting. In 2010, the Life Scout rank added a specific teaching requirement, where a Star-rank scout must teach a younger scout certain requirements for one of the early ranks.

Several religious emblems programs are administered by various religious institutions and recognized by the BSA. These are generally recognized by a medal and an embroidered square knot. Many other advancement and recognitions—such as the 50-Miler Award, Crime Prevention Awards, Emergency Preparedness Award and World Conservation Award —are available to Scouts who show performance in special areas.

Den Chiefs may earn the Den Chief Service Award or the Webelos Den Chief Service Award.[8]

There are also several positions of responsibility within each troop, which is usually divided into patrols, with patrol leaders and assistant patrol leaders. The troop itself has a senior patrol leader as its youth leader, along with an assistant senior patrol leader, and several other positions of responsibility, such as scribe, quartermaster, librarian, instructor, historian and chaplain's aide. Holding some sort of responsibility in the troop is a requirement for higher advancement ranks.

Varsity Scout advancement

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Main article: Varsity Scouting (Boy Scouts of America) § Advancement and recognition

Advancement is a key part of the Varsity program. Varsity Scouts can earn any award or recognition that is available to Boy Scouts, including merit badges, ranks advancements, and other awards. There are also several awards that are only available to Varsity Scouts, and sometimes their leaders.

Order of the Arrow

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Main article: Honors and awards of the Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a program of the Boy Scout division of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It is the BSA's national honor society for experienced campers, based on American Indian traditions, and dedicated to the ideal of cheerful service.

Awards are separate and distinct from the membership levels of Ordeal and Brotherhood. Awards available through the Order of the Arrow include: Vigil Honor, Founder's Award, Distinguished Service Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Red Arrow Award, E. Urner Goodman Camping Award, E. Urner Goodman, Scholarship Fund, National Service Award. Scholastic awards are also available to Arrowmen to aid in education expenses.[9]

Venturing

Youth advancement

A Bronze Award[10] may be earned for each category of arts and hobbies, outdoor, community and religious life, sea scouting and sports. After earning at least one Bronze Award and meeting tenure, leadership, personal growth and other requirements the Venturer may earn the Gold Award.[11] To earn the Silver Award,[12] the Venturer must earn the Gold Award, earn first aid and CPR certifications, show leadership and participate in ethics training.

Venturers may also earn expert awards that build on some areas of the Bronze Awards. These include the Venturing Ranger Award[13] (Outdoors); the TRUST Award[14] (Community and Religious Life); the Quest Award[15] (Sports); and the Quartermaster Award[16] (Sea Scouting).

Male members under the age of 18 may also earn Merit Badges and the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks from the Boy Scouting program if they have earned at least First Class rank in a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team.

Venturing Leadership Award

Both youth and adults are eligible for the Venturing Leadership Award. There are three levels of these awards: council (for those at the crew, district, and/or council levels), region (for those at the area or region levels) and National. A limited number of these awards are presented on an annual basis to those involved in Venturing who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing at their particular level and who exemplify the Venturing Code. These awards are similar in scope to the Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award, and Silver Buffalo Award.

Sea Scout Advancement

In Sea Scouts, the traditional advancement program consists of the 4 ranks in the following order Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and finally Quartermaster. Quartermaster is the highest Sea Scout Rank and is equivalent to Eagle Scout or Venturing Silver Award.

SEAL Training, (Sea Exploring Advanced Leadership), is the highest level of Leadership Training. The program originated in 1996 and at the time was under the name of Sea Exploring, however in 1998 when Venturing was formed the organization was known as Sea Scouts. The name SEAL training did not change. There are about 4-6 course per year held around the country. Participants age over 14.5 to less than 18 years old. Participants must have earned the rank of Ordinary before attending the course. Approximately 80% of participants pass the course. The course is similar to NAYLE or what was previously known as NJLIC. Upon successful graduation from the course the student may wear the SEAL Pin on their uniform. This the only youth earned pin that an Adult may wear.

Sea Scouts may choose to earn any Venturing awards, advancement, and training if they wish to. A male Sea Scout who has earned the rank of 1st Class in a Boy Scout Troop may complete further Boy Scout ranks and training from within his Sea Scout Ship.

Religious awards

Lifesaving and meritorious action awards

BSA's National Court of Honor is responsible for lifesaving and meritorious awards.[17][18] All Courts of Honor for Eagle Scout rank are convened as National Courts of Honor also.

Honor Medal With Crossed Palms
A lifesaving award presented to a registered youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated both unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self; may be awarded posthumously.
Honor Medal
A lifesaving award presented to a registered youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism in saving or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self.
Medal of Merit
Awarded to youth or adults who have performed an outstanding act of service and exceptional character by putting into practice scouting skills and ideals. It does not need to involve risk to self.
National Certificate of Merit
This award may be presented by the National Court of Honor to a registered BSA member, youth or adult, who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition. Such action need not involve attempts of rescue or risk to self, but puts into practice Scouting skills or ideals.
Local Council Certificate of Merit
This may be awarded for meritorious actions.

Adult leader awards

Cub Scout leader recognition

Cub Scout leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards. The Cub Scout Den Leader Training Award is available for Den Leaders, the Scouter's Training Award is for any registered Cub Scout leader, and the Scouter's Key is for Cubmasters. These awards are recognized by a certificate and an embroidered square knot insignia with the appropriate square knot device pin (indicates program or rank for which the award was earned).

Boy Scout leader recognition

Boy Scout adult leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards. The Boy Scout Leader's Training Award is available to any leader, while the Scoutmaster's Key and the Scoutmaster Award of Merit are only available to the Scoutmaster.

Varsity Scout leader recognition

Adult Varsity leaders may earn the Varsity Letter and activity pins. They meet the same requirements as the youth and must also complete Fast Start and Basic Leader Training (New Leader Essentials and Varsity Coach Leader Specific Training), attend six Varsity Roundtables, and complete a minimum of six months tenure.

Varsity Scout leaders who complete tenure, training and performance requirements may earn the Varsity Scout Leader Training Award. Varsity Coaches may earn the Varsity Coach's Key and the National President's Varsity Scout Coach Award of Merit.

Venturing leader recognition

Venturing adult leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards. The Venturing Leader's Training Award[19] is available to any leader, while the Venturing Advisor's Key[20] and Venturing Advisor Award of Merit[21] are only available to the Advisor.

Sea Scout leader recognition

Sea Scout adult leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards. The Sea Scout Leader's Training Award (part of the Scouter's Training Award series) is available to any leader, while the Skipper's Key is only available to Skippers. Seabadge is an advanced leadership program for all Sea Scout leaders. Seabadge can be worn as a pin or a knot with a single trident. Unofficial knots with multiple tridents are sometimes worn to represent a staff member or course director.

Sea Scout adult leaders may also wear the SEAL pin if they, earned it as a youth, served as course director, or served as a course director's mate.

Sea Scout adult leaders may also receive the Venturing Leadership Award

Commissioner recognition

Commissioners who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards. The Arrowhead Honor is for commissioners who exhibit quality performance and leadership. The Roundtable Staff Training Award (part of the Scouter's Training Award series) is available to Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout and Venturing roundtable staff. The Commissioner's Key (part of the Scouter's Key series) is available for roundtable commissioners, district commissioner, assistant district commissioners, unit commissioners, council commissioners and assistant council commissioners. The Distinguished Commissioner Service Award recognizes commissioners who provide quality service over a period of at least five years.

Scouter's Training Award

The Scouter's Training Award is a set of recognitions for leaders who complete tenure, training and performance requirements.

  • Cub Scout Leader's Training Award for the Cubmaster, Den Leaders, pack committee chairman and pack committee members
  • Boy Scout Leader's Training Award for the Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmasters, troop committee chairman and troop committee members
  • Varsity Scout Leader's Training Award for the Coach, assistant Coaches, team committee chairman, team committee member
  • Venturing Leader's Training Award for the Advisor, associate Advisors, crew committee chairman and crew committee members
  • Sea Scout Leader's Training Award for the Skipper, mates, ship committee chairman and ship committee members
  • Roundtable Staff Training Award for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout and Venturing roundtable staff

Scouter's Key

The Scouter's Key is a set of recognitions for primary unit leaders who complete advanced tenure, training and performance requirements.

  • Cubmaster's Key
  • Scoutmaster's Key
  • Varsity Scout Coach's Key
  • Venturing Advisor's Key
  • Commissioner's Key for roundtable commissioners, district commissioner, assistant district commissioners, unit commissioners, council commissioners and assistant council commissioner
  • District Committee's Key for the district committee chairman and members

Unit Leader Award of Merit

The Unit Leader Award of Merit is for Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Coaches and Advisors who meet requirements for tenure, personal training, unit quality and youth training.

  • Cubmaster Award of Merit
  • Scoutmaster Award of Merit
  • Varsity Scout Coach Award of Merit
  • Venturing Advisor Award of Merit

Leadership and training awards

Distinguished service awards

Distinguished service awards are presented at various levels to recognize noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth.

Service awards

National service awards

Whitney M Young Jr. Service 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 backgrounds.

¡Scouting ... Vale la pena! Service Award

Recognizes 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.

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award

Recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Asian American youth.

ScoutReach National President's Award
Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman Service Award

A National Service Award for full-time paraprofessional Scouters given every other year, named in honor of Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman.[34] Mr. Coleman was highly involved in Scoutreach.

Support of Scouting awards

  • James E West Fellowship Award
    • 1910 Society
      • Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, Theodore Roosevelt and Waite Phillips levels
    • Founder's Circle
      • Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels
  • William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award
  • Good Scout Award

Memorials

Unit awards

  • National Den Award
  • National Quality Unit Award
  • National Summertime Pack Award
  • Veteran Unit Emblem
  • BSA Ready & Prepared Award[35]

Scholarships

  • E. Urner Goodman Scholarship Fund
  • National Jewish Committee on Scouting: Eagle Scout Scholarship Programs[36]
  • AFL-CIO Wood Badge Scholarship Program
  • VFW Wood Badge Scholarship Program
  • William M Minto Memorial Scholarship For Sea Scouts[37]
  • Sons of the American Revolution: Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship[38]

Special opportunities

Aquatics
  • Boardsailing BSA
  • BSA Lifeguard
  • Kayaking, BSA
  • Long Cruise
  • Mile Swim, BSA
  • Qualified Seaman
  • Scuba, BSA
  • Small Boat Handler
  • Snorkeling, BSA
Conservation
  • Boy Scout World Conservation Award
  • Conservation Good Turn
  • Cub Scout World Conservation Award
  • Cub Scout Leave No Trace Awareness Award
  • Leave No Trace Awareness Award
  • William T. Hornaday Awards
    • William T. Hornaday Unit Award
    • William T. Hornaday Badge
    • William T. Hornaday Gold Badge
    • William T. Hornaday Bronze Medal
    • William T. Hornaday Silver Medal
    • William T. Hornaday Gold Badge
    • William T. Hornaday Gold Certificate
  • Venturing World Conservation Award
Disabilities
  • Torch of Gold certificate
  • Woods Services Award
Emergency Preparedness
  • BSA Ready and Prepared Award
  • Crime Prevention Awards
  • Emergency Preparedness Award
Outdoors
Scoutcraft
Tenure
  • Service stars
  • Veteran Scouter Pin
Other

Awards from other organizations

Obsolete awards

These awards are no longer awarded, but may be worn by those who earned them:

  • Den Mother's Training Award- awarded from 1956, renamed to Den Leader’s Training Award in 1967
  • Den Leader Coach Training Award- awarded from 1967 to 2006, replaced by the Pack Trainer Award
  • Explorer Silver- awarded from 1949 to 1964
  • Explorer Achievement Award- awarded from 1981 to 1995, replaced by the Explorer G.O.L.D. Award
  • Explorer G.O.L.D. Award- awarded from 1995 to 1998
  • Explorer Ranger Award- awarded from 1944 to 1949
  • Explorer Ace Award- awarded from 1942 to 1954
  • Heroism Award- a lifesaving award presented to a registered youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated heroism in saving or attempting to save a life at minimum risk to self
  • National Camping Award- replaced by the National Outdoor Challenge Unit Award in 2010
  • Silver Fawn Award- equivalent of the Silver Beaver Award for female leaders issued from 1971 to 1974
  • Tiger Cub Coach Award— renamed to Tiger Cub Den Leader Award
  • William H. Spurgeon III Award- moved to Exploring (Learning for Life)

Sources

  • scouting.org - The official BSA Website for Scouting in the US.
  • MeritBadge.Org - is a Wikipedia that provides resources to Scouts and leaders in the US.
  • USScouts.Org - another volunteer site that provides resources to Scouts and leaders in the US.

Footnotes

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  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ International Scouter's Award
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "BSA Community Organization Award fact sheet." Retrieved on May 23, 2007.
  24. ↑ Cliff Dochterman Award
  25. ↑ Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award
  26. ↑ Alpha Phi Omega: National Service Fraternity | Herbert G Horton Service to Youth Award
  27. ↑ The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the USA: Marvin Lewis Awards
  28. ↑ Microsoft Word - 10-USPS Finley Sea Scout Service Award
  29. ↑ http://www.sar.org/forms/handbook/SAR_Handbook_Vol_III.pdf
  30. ↑ http://www.ruritan.org/publications/scoutLeaderAward.pdf
  31. ↑ Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) :: Community Service
  32. ↑ Welcome to the American Legion Online
  33. ↑ Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
  34. ↑ BSA Press Release
  35. ↑ Ready & Prepared Award
  36. ↑ http://www.jewishscouting.org/awards/eagle.html
  37. ↑ Sea Scouting: Opportunities and Activities
  38. ↑ NSSAR - Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship Program
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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