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The following table displays all of the current adult advancement awards available. The requirements to earn and wear each award can be found by clicking on the requirements link under each award. A brief description of each award is listed below.
 

Eagle Scout Award

Worn by adults who earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth member. The Eagle Scout is the highest youth rank in the Boy Scouting program. For current requirements see, the current Eagle Scout Requirements

Eagle Rank with Palms:
After earning the Rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout can continue to advance by earning palms. A palm may be earned by meeting a three month tenure requirement, a leadership requirement, and earning five additional merit badges. A bronze palm is awarded for the first five merit badges after Eagle. A gold palm for the next five and silver for an additional five. If a Scout continues to advance, combinations of palms may be earned with bronze and silver representing 20 merit badges beyond Eagle (and 12 months tenure). These palms may be worn on the Eagle Scout knot as illustrated below:

Religious Awards

Religious Emblems:
This knot may be worn by any Scout or Scouter that completed a religious emblem program. The actual administration of religious emblem programs is conducted by the Scout's religious organization. The religious organization usually presents the religious emblem upon completion of the religious emblem program. Units frequently honor the recipient with a presentation of the Universal Religious Emblem Square Knot. Only one youth award square knot is worn, no matter how many times the holder earns a second or subsequent religious award as a youth member.

Arrow of Light

Worn by adults who earned the Arrow of Light as a youth member. For current requirements, see the Webelos Arrow of Light requirements in the Cub Scout Handbook.

 

Tiger Cub Award

Training

1. Complete Fast Start training.

2. Complete Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.

3. Participate in a Cub Scout leader pow wow or attend at least four roundtables.

Tenure

Complete 2 years as a registered Tiger Cub group coach.

Performance

Do all of the following:

1. Conduct a Tiger Cub group roundup for your pack with at least five new Tiger Cub boy/adult teams recruited each year (for 2 years).

2. Contact the host team each month and provide support as needed (for 2 years).

3. Coordinate Tiger Cub group participation in two Cub Scout pack activities each year (for 2 years).

4. Graduate a Tiger Cub group into Cub Scouting with at least 75 percent of the Tiger Cubs graduating into a pack as registered Cub Scouts each year (for 2 years).

Cub Scouter Award

Training:

1. Complete Fast Start training, if available for your position

2. Complete Cub Scout Leader Basic Training

3. Participate in a Cub Scout Leader pow wow or attend at least four roundtables.

Cubmaster Award

Training:

1. Complete "The New Cubmaster" Fast Start training.

2. Complete Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.

3. Participate in a Cub Scout leader pow wow or attend at least four roundtables.

Tenure:
Complete 2 years as a registered Cubmaster or as a registered Assistant Cubmaster for 1 year and a Cubmaster for 1 year.

Performance:

1. As a Cubmaster or assistant Cubmaster in a pack, earn the National Quality Unit Award at least twice.

2. At least once, earn the National Summertime Pack Award.

Den Leader Award

Training

• Complete "The New Den Leader" Fast Start training.

• Complete Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.

• Participate in a Cub Scout leader pow wow or attend at least four roundtables.

Tenure

• Complete 2 years as a registered den leader, or
  1 year as an assistant den leader and 1 year as a den leader.

Performance
Do five of the following:
 

• During at least one program year, have a minimum of 50 percent of the Cub Scouts in your den earn the rank for their grade or age (Wolf or Bear).

• At least once, reregister a minimum of 75 percent of the eligible members of your den as a part of pack rechartering.

• Graduate a minimum of 60 percent of the eligible members of your den into Webelos Scouting.

• Have an assistant den leader, den chief, or den aide who meets regularly with your Webelos den.

• Have 50 percent or more of your Webelos den members subscribe to Boy's Life magazine.

• Take leadership in planning and conducting a den service project.

• Conduct at least three den meetings per month, 9 months per year or an optional meeting plan approved by the pack.

• Participate in a Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout resident camp experience.

Den Leader Coach Award

Training

1. Complete "The New Den Leader" or "The New Webelos Den Leader" Fast Start training

2. Complete Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.

3. Complete Den Leader Coach Seminar.

4. Participate in a Cub Scout leader pow wow or attend at least four roundtables.

Webelos Den Leader Award

Training

1. Complete "The New Webelos Den Leader" Fast Start training.

2. Complete Cub Scout Leader Training.

3. Complete Webelos Leader Outdoor Training.

4. Participate in a Cub Scout leader pow wow or attend at least four roundtables.

Scoutmasters Key Award

Training

1. Complete Boy Scout Fast Start Training.

2. Complete three part Scoutmastership Fundamentals:

   1. "The Troop Meeting"

   2. "Troop Organization"

   3. "The Outdoor Program".

3. Conduct troop junior leader training (three times).

4. Participate as an adult in junior leader training.

5. Participate in one supplemental training course beyond basic training (local council or national level experience).

6. Earn Boy Scout Leader's Training Award.

Boy Scout Leader Roundtables

Attend at least six roundtables during each year for three years.

Tenure

Complete at least 3 years of registered tenure as a Scoutmaster within a 5-year period.

Performance

Earn the Boy Scout Troop National Quality Unit Award. (2 times)

Scoutmaster Award of Merit

The Scoutmaster Award of Merit may be earned by a Scouter who has:
 

• Served as Scoutmaster for at least 18 months

• Attended Scoutmaster Fundamentals (basic training)

• Earned for his Troop the Quality Unit Award at least once

• Successfully trained his or her youth Troop leaders.

The Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Committee Chair recommends the Scoutmaster for the award, based on the unit's performance over the past 18 months.

Heroism Award

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.

District Award of Merit

The District/Division Award of Merit is awarded by a District or Exploring Division to volunteer and professional adults for service to youth in the District or Division. Normally, the award is presented for service to youth in excess of five years. A person may receive more than one District/Division Award of Merit, although there are no provisions for the wearing of a device or emblem officially to denote the second or subsequent awards. Unofficially, those Award holders that have received more than one may wear a small Universal device centered on the knot. The BSA has no records of any volunteer or professional earning the Award of Merit in more than two separate Districts or Divisions. Career members of the Boy Scouts of America may receive this award upon concurrence of the Council Scout Executive and the Director of Operations at the National office, BSA.

Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.

Requirements:
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.

Honor 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.

Scouter's Training Award

The Scouters' Training Award can be presently earned by the following groups of Scouters:

Boy Scouters:

• Scoutmasters

• Assistant Scoutmasters

• Committee Members

• Chartered Organization Representative

Varsity Scouters:

• Coaches

• Assistant Coaches

• Committee Members

• Chartered Organization Representative

Venturing Leaders:

• Advisors

• Assistant/Associate Advisors

• Committee Members

• Consultants

• Chartered Organization Representative

Sea Exploring Leaders:

• Mates

• Committee Members

• Consultants

• Chartered Organization Representative

District/Council Scouters:

• Cub Scout Roundtable staff members

• Boy Scout Roundtable staff members

• Varsity Scout Huddle staff members

Each award group has requirements covering basic training, performance, tenure, and certification. Scouters earning the Training Award in one program area MUST complete ALL requirements (including tenure) for a subsequent Training Awards in another program area. Scouters earning a Training Award cannot use the tenure for the Training Award toward earning the Scouters' Key Award in the same program area.


 

Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented to Arrowmen for outstanding cheerful service to the Order of the Arrow and Scouting over a significant period of time at any level beyond the local Lodge level. For example, many Arrowmen have received this award after serving as leaders at the Sectional, Regional or National level. Most adults receiving this award have served in an advisory capacity for an extended period of time, normally more than ten years or have served both as a youth leader and an adult with a combined tenure of more than ten years.

 

Professional Training Award

The Professional Training Award may be earned by:

• Associate District Executives

• District Executives

• Senior District Executives

• Exploring Executives

• Senior Exploring Executives

• District Directors, and

• Field Directors with supervisory responsibilities for District or Exploring Executives.

To earn the award, Scouters must:

• Successfully attend all three sessions of the Professional Executive Institute (PEI)

• Complete or participate in five of eight training or coaching programs (including Wood Badge, Exploring Advanced Seminar, and National Camping School)

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

Professional Circle Award

This award may be earned by completing all eight coaching or training programs, meeting of all critical achievements within all three years, and the completion of a research paper to be forwarded to the National Executive Training Center for approval. Holders of this award may wear the small Universal/Troop device at the center of the knot. This is a rare award.

 

James West Fellowship Award

The James West Fellowship Award is probably the one award that sparks the most misunderstanding when spotted on a uniform. Some folks immediately assume that the award was simply purchased, which is not accurate. This award is presented to individuals based on a contribution of $1000 or more to the local Council's West Fellowship Fund. Only registered Scouters or youth members receive and wear the square knot.

The money may be given by a group of Scouters or individual Scouter to honor a fellow Scouter, as a memorial on the death of a Scouter, or to recognize an achievement.

For example, a group of Scouters could put the money together to recognize the outstanding efforts of an individual who spent years doing publicity work for a local Council through newsletters, press releases, web pages, etc., for which there is no official recognition. The award can also be given to an individual who makes a contribution on his/her own behalf. Regardless of the source of funding, the award is used by BSA to generate badly needed funds to support critical local Council and national programs which have suffered major losses due to diversion of funding for national-level resolutions of risk-management issues.

All contributors receive special invitations to local Council and National West Fellowship Dinners, special publications, and a certificate in addition to some local Council plaques and other items.

 

Medal of Merit

The Medal of Merit is awarded to Scouts and Scouters who have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond that normally expected of a youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. This act may involve a lifesaving effort, but is not confined to lifesaving. It may also be awarded for any meritorious action using some aspect of Scouting skills or learning.

Explorer Gold Award

This recognition knot was most recently used for the Explorer Gold Award and earlier for the Explorer Achievement Award.

The Exploring Growth Opportunity in Leadership Development (G.O.L.D.) Award was earned by male and female members of any Explorer Post or Ship after a period of service, leadership and tenure. Each Explorer created his/her own set of of "requirements" for the award. At the end of the period of service and leadership, candidates appeared before the Post or District Exploring Committee to review the path taken to complete the requirements for the award.

Requirements for Exploring Gold Award:

1. The candidate must have been an active, registered Explorer for at least 12 months tenure before final qualification.

2.The candidate must have been an active member of the Explorer post, and served in one or a combination of leadership roles within the past 12 months (roles may be concurrent as follows: (paraphrased) Post officer, EPA member, post activities chairman; church or school elected youth officer, elected or appointed team leader.

3. The candidate must have participated in a district/Exploring division, council, area, region, or national Explorer event.

4. The candidate must, in consultation with the post Advisor or a member of the post committee, set one personal growth goal related to each of the six experience areas of Exploring, in which the Explorer certifies completion of the goals. (See previous EAA examples)

5. The candidate must plan, prepare for, and lead to completion two or more post activity projects that relate to at least two of the six experience areas; suggested post activity projects are listed separately below. The action should involve at least five Explorers, and it should require a minimum of 4 to 6 months from inception to completion; the project should be approved and the goals of the project set by the post Advisor and/or a member of the post committee and the Explorer candidate. Both parties should certify the completion of the projects (s). Activities should be arranged to fit into normal post programming. Qualifying activities . . . (see previous EAA examples).

6. The candidate must be able to recite the Explorer Code.

7. The candidate must submit three letters of recommendation to the post Advisor that confirms he or she lives in accordance with the principles of the Explorer Code. The letters should come from adults outside the post, such as school or church leaders, employers, or community leaders.

8. After completing all other requirements, the candidate should prepare evidence of completion of the work and submit it to the post Advisor. The post president, in conjunction with the post Advisor, should then appoint a review committee of four to six people including Explorers and adults. The committee should interview the candidate to determine whether that person grew as a result of the pursuit of the Gold Award.

9. Finally, the candidate must have qualified for the Gold Award before his or her 21st birthday.

Significant differences from the Explorer Achievement Award to the Gold Award: Tenure now 12 months, vice 18. Personal growth goals in all six experience areas, vice two. Must recite the Explorer Code. Review committee is youth and adult, can be from the post, vice district/council Exploring committee.

Exploring Leadership Award
Presented by councils, areas/regions, and national to Explorers and adults who have made exceptional contributions to Exploring and who exemplify the Explorer Code.

Qualifications:

1. Be registered and involved in Exploring as an Explorer or an adult for at least one year.

2. Hold a leadership position or office on the unit, district, council, area, regional or national level (as appropriate for the level of award presented).

3. Show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and service to Exploring and to explorers on the level appropriate for the award.

Quota: Two youth and two adults per year, up to fifty posts/ships, one additional each for each 25 additional units. Regions: 12/12. National: 6/6.
 

Quartermaster Award

The Quartermaster Award is the highest award in the Sea Exploring Program. In order to earn Quartermaster Award, Sea Explorers must show nautical proficiency, leadership, and service over a period of time; earn several rating awards; and pass a Board of Review at the local Council level. This is a rare award.
 

Sea Badge Award

This knot is given recognition of completion of The Sea Badge Course, which is the advanced training course for Sea Exploring leaders at the Ship, District, Council or Regional level. The course consists of a four or five day resident course and up to two years to apply the principles taught in the course. In the two years after the practical course candidates use their knowledge to develop and extend the Sea Exploring program of Exploring in the local Council or within a Ship. This is in some ways similar to the Wood Badge training courses which also feature a resident course followed by up to two years to apply the principles taught in the course. Attendance at the Sea Badge course is nominative.
 

Silver Beaver

The Silver Beaver Award is presented upon action of a Council Executive Board of one of the BSA's local Councils or the Direct Service Council for outstanding service to youth within the Council or for outstanding longtime service to youth by a registered Scouter residing within that Council. The average tenure for Silver Beaver candidates is ten years or longer. Career members of the Boy Scouts of America may receive this award upon concurrence of the Council Scout Executive and the Director of Operations at the National office, BSA.

Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate
 

Silver Antelope Award

The Silver Antelope Award is presented upon action of the Regional Executive Board of one of the BSA's four Regions for service to youth within the Region or for outstanding longtime service to youth by a registered Scouter residing within that Region. Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.
 

Silver Buffalo Award

The Silver Buffalo Award is awarded upon action of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America to volunteers Scouters and other individuals for outstanding service to youth on a national basis or over a significant period of national service to a youth agency or in actions affecting youth. The Silver Buffalo Award is the traditional award presented to the Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America sometime during his term of office. Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.
 

Silver World Award

Until 1994 this award was presented by the Chief Scout Executive, National President, International Commissioner BSA, or other designated person to adults for international service to the BSA's Scouting programs, but were not registered members of the BSA. The Chief Scout Executive, National President and the BSA's International Commissioner had the group authority to authorize the award to anyone that they chose. This created several situations whereby the Silver World Award was awarded to BSA Scouters. The awards were suspended in 1994 by action of the National Executive Board until narrower requirements for the awarding of the medal could be made. Of the 40 or so Scouters that were presented the award for international service to the BSA's Scouting programs, approximately half were presented to Scouters belonging to the Direct Service Council, the Transatlantic Council, the Canal Zone Council, or to a stateside local Council. Award by nomination only.
 

Whitney Young, Jr. Award

Several years ago BSA was concerned that certain rural and inner-city urban areas were not being reached by the Scouting program. As part of its push to offer the Scouting program, the Whitney Young, Jr. Award was developed to recognize outstanding support and service at both the local and national level in reaching under-served areas. The knot may only be worn by holders of individual awards. Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.
 

William T. Spurgeon Award

This award may or not apply to career Posts in Learning for Life. This award was presented to adult Exploring leaders, businesses, and organizations at both the local and national level for service in support of the Exploring program. Only holders of individual awards may wear the knot (not officers or employees of a firm that received the award). Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.
 

George Meany Award

The George Meany Award is a national recognition approved by the AFL-CIO Executive Council. It may be presented to any adult union member who has made a significant contribution to the youth of their community through Scouting.

Each AFL-CIO city central labor council and each AFL-CIO state federation is permitted to give one award annually. The emphasis of this award is on the the importance of being selective. There is no rule that the quota must be used every year. No honorary recognitions should be made.

The purpose of the award is to recognize the recipient's outstanding service to youth through the programs of the Boy Scouts of America.

From 1974 to 1991 1,440 Scouters were recognized with this award. In recent years about 125 of these awards have been presented each year.

Applications may be obtained from your AFL-CIO central labor council, state federation, or your area's AFL-CIO Community Services liaison or from

Labor Relationships, S226
Boy Scouts of America
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, Texas 75015-2079

The central labor council or state federation may develop its own standards for judging, but will consider such factors as the nominee's record in:

• Promoting and expanding the use of the American Labor merit badge

• Recruiting youth to earn the American Labor merit badge

• Forming Scout units, especially those to be operated by local unions or other labor groups

• Recruiting union members to become Scout leaders, especially to become American Labor merit badge counselors and to be involved in units operated by union organizations.

• Contributing to Scouting in the field of labor relationships, and bringing the Scouting and labor movements together to serve the community

• Taking Scouter training and setting a good example to youth

• Promoting Scouting for all youth, regardless of race, creed, or handicapping condition.

The application is form no. 86-011

Awardees receive a medal suspended from the neck, a cloth pocket insignia, a square note and a frame certificate. Distribution is restricted and orders may only be made via Labor Relations, BSA.

Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nomination disqualifies the candidate.
 

William T. Hornaday Award

The William T. Hornaday Award recognizes Scouts and Scouters for ecology efforts and service to conservation in their communities. To earn the Hornaday Award as an individual, youth members must earn a series of merit badges followed by a concentrated series of conservation and/or environmental education projects to be conducted in the member's community or nearby, under the advise of a trained conservation, naturalist, or environmental engineering expert.

There are three levels to this award -- Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Holders of the Bronze and Silver levels may wear the square knot. Holders of the Gold medal may also wear the gold badge or the square knot. If the award was earned by a group, the members of the group may wear the badge depicted above.

The present adult Gold award is nominative in nature, and extends over at least a ten-year span of working in or with conservation or environmental education/reclamation efforts in the community, state or nation.

As a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer, you belong to one of the world's oldest environmental organizations. By subscribing to the Outdoor Code, you're already doing a lot to help conserve renewable natural Resources. But do you yearn to do more? Great! There's a special way for individual Scouts or Scout units to make a real contribution.

Unit Commissioners Key Award

For Unit Commissioners

Training

Complete the three-session training program outlined in Commissioner Basic Training Manual, No. 33614.

1. "Why Commissioners?"

2. - First visitation.

3. "Units: The Commissioner's Greatest Priority"

4. - Second visitation

5. - Third visitation

6. "How To Help a Unit"

Complete personal coaching orientation including orientation projects.

Tenure

Complete 3 years as a registered commissioner within a 5-year period.

Performance

Earn the Arrowhead Honor Award.