Awards and Recognitions
Please visit Awards Central, the Boy Scouts of America’s repository, for information about official awards and recognition. This is where the most up to date information about BSA-related awards may be found. View the Guide to Awards and Insignia. This resource is also a helpful guide for all program awards, insignia and patches and can be purchased at the Scoutshop.
Council Honors awards, such as the Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Silver Beaver, North Star and District Award of Merit are listed with further information below.
Eric Hiser
Council Recognition Chair
EHiser.BSA@gmail.com
Annual Council Honor Awards
The Grand Canyon Council honors volunteer Scouters who provide exceptional service and leadership to youth and Scouting. The District Award of Merit is awarded for service to youth at the district level. The Meritorious Service Star is awarded for service to Scouting at the district or council level. The Silver Beaver, a National honor, is awarded for exceptional service to youth at the council level. The Distinguished Service Star is awarded for distinguished service to Scouting, typically to individuals who had previously received their Silver Beaver. The North Star is awarded to non-Scouters for distinguished service to youth at the council level.
Nominations for these council honors are open from April 1 until October 15 of each year. Please do not notify a nominee of a nomination to avoid disappointment should the award not be granted.
The Silver Beaver Award
A National Court of Honor Award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service at the council level. This includes council leadership and committee engagement and/or leadership of council events or leadership elevating youth at the statewide level. Training Courses completed or staffed and Scouting Recognition/Honors are fundamental to receive consideration. Noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth outside of Scouting and detailed information on the nominee’s standing in the community are required and evaluated. Letters of recommendation are requested. (1/60 units)
The nomination form will be available from May 1 – October 15, 2023
The North Star Award
A National Court of Honor award given to non-Scouters (not currently registered as a Scouter) to recognize individuals for significant service or contributions in the Council. Examples include contributing land for a new service center, or for the CPA who has served the council for years, or an attorney who contributes his/her legal services and expertise. The candidate’s standing in the community is considered (business, professional, civic, religious, educational, fraternal, veteran, rural and other fields, exclusive of Scouting.) Noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth within the territory under the jurisdiction of the council is considered. (No limit)
The Distinguished Service Star
A Council award given to a registered Scouter with unusually noteworthy service to Scouting at the unit, district or council level over a period of at least 20 years. This award looks at the lifetime of service provided by the individual at the unit, district or council level (or all of the above) and the impact of that service on Scouting’s ability to deliver character, leadership, fun and growth to youth within the council. Nominee must a registered Scouter and render outstanding service beyond the expectation of their Scouting position. Training, prior honors received and dedication to Scouting ideally required. Letters of recommendation are required. (1/250 units)
The nomination form will be available from May 1 – October 15, 2023
The Meritorious Service Star
A Council award given to a registered Scouter with noteworthy service to Scouting at the unit, district or council level over a period of at least 5 years. Service may consist of a single plan or decision that contributed vitally to the lives of a large number of youth (for example, leading camporees, service on camp staff, service as an Order of the Arrow adviser) or given to a smaller group over an extended period of time (for example, unit leadership or exceptional merit badge counseling and mentoring.) Nominee must a registered Scouter and render outstanding service beyond the expectation of their Scouting position. This is often the second honor a Scouter may receive. (1/40 units)
The nomination form will be available from May 1 – October 15, 2023
“District” Award of Merit
The “District” Award of Merit in Grand Canyon Council is a council award given to a registered Scouter who has demonstrated outstanding service within the council. Eligible candidates include volunteers in council leadership and/or committee member positions (For example; Advancement, Leadership & Development, Program, Membership) in addition to Unit Service positions which includes Community Commissioners and Unit Coaches.
Youth service may consist of a single plan or decision that contributed vitally to the lives of a large number of youths. For example, planning and leading a series of Camporees or Pinewood derby) or given to a smaller group over an extended period. For example, long term service on the district Eagle Board or as a unit leader who also supported council wide activities.
Consideration is given to the nominee’s Scouting position. The corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that Scouting position. Scouting Training Awards are considered. Service to youth in Scouting and the community is essential. For example, the President of the Rotary Club, the Lay Minister at Church, the Red Cross Campaign leader, the PTA, etc. This is often the first council honor a Scouter receives. (1/25 units)
BSA Alumnus of the Year
The Council Alumnus of the Year Award is given for exceptional service to the alumni movement on a council-wide basis. Each council may select one nominee for this award annually.
Eligibility: Primary consideration (80%) is given to those that:
- Remind Scouting alumni to maintain a lifetime relationship with Scouting, which enables Scouting to remain healthy for future generations.
- Scouting promotion, contributing significantly to the promotion and/or advancement of the BSA alumni program and activities at a Council level over a sustained period of time through word and/or deed.
- Bring Scouting Alumni back to the Campfire.
Secondary consideration (20%) is given for:
- Career and/or advocation, such as achieving high honor or distinction in their chosen profession.
- Community service, including contributions to Scouting or other community efforts or organizations.
Nominees must be a BSA alumnus which means he or she has been positively and personally impacted by the BSA in some way. A maximum of one recipient may be awarded per council per year. The nomination is not to be submitted posthumously. Nominations are submitted to the individual Council BSA Alumni Committee for their selection process. Approved nominations are forwarded to the BSA Alumni Association Committee for consideration. Those approved will be returned with a personalized certificate and added to the Council Alumnus of the Year recipients.
Procedure The completed nomination form will be submitted to the Council Honors Selection Committee for evaluation and approval.
Commissioner/Coach Award of Excellence in Unit Service
The Commissioner/Coach Award of Excellence is Unit Service is awarded to a Community Commissioner or Unit Coach who provides exemplary unit service to a unit which has been assigned by the Community Commissioner, and by developing a Unit Service plan through the use of the current Boy Scouts of America Commissioner Tools.
Focus areas of Excellence include General Requirements, Unit Service Criteria and Personal Growth and Development listed as part of the nomination form. The nomination form is to be initiated and completed by the Unit Coach then submitted to Community Commissioner for approval before it is submitted to the Council Honors Committee for final approval. Community Commissioners also complete and submit the nomination form to the Council Honors Selection Committee for final evaluation and final approval.
Procedure The completed nomination form will be submitted to the Council Honors Selection Committee for evaluation and approval.
Distinguished Commissioner/Coach
The Distinguished Commissioner Service Award is the highest recognition that can be given to a Community Commissioner or Unit Coach. It recognizes an individual who has consistently engaged in distinguished and exceptional commissioner service resulting in significant, positive impact on youth, units and/or council. In determining the value of such service, consideration must be given to the candidate recipient’s commissioner position and the corresponding opportunity to render outstanding and exceptional service beyond the expectations for that commissioner position.
- In order to be considered for the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, a candidate recipient must be nominated by a currently registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. Commissioners/coaches may not nominate themselves.
- The Distinguished Commissioner Service Award may be awarded once to a commissioner/coach.
- There is no restriction on the number of Distinguished Commissioner Service Awards that may be awarded by a local council during a calendar year.
Prerequisites: In order to be considered for the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, a candidate recipient shall:
- Be currently registered as a commissioner or have served as a commissioner within the last five years. When nominating a former commissioner, the nomination must be based on the nominee’s performance while a registered commissioner/coach.
- Possess the Commissioner Key (possession of the Commissioner Key automatically includes possession of the Arrowhead Honor).
Procedure: The completed nomination form will be submitted to the Council Honors Selection Committee for evaluation and approval.
Silver Antelope
The Silver Antelope Award, created in 1942, is the National Service Territory level distinguished award of the Boy Scouts of America, acting through the National Court of Honor. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters of exceptional character in their territory and this award recognizes their distinguished service to youth.
Silver Buffalo
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 or international in character and may or may not be directly connected to the BSA.
Square Knots Honors and Recognitions
Most awards and recognitions have certificates, pins or medals, and a patch usually with a square knot embroidered on it in different colors. Adult leaders and Scouts wear these square knot patches on their uniform over the left pocket. The order that they are worn is up to the individual.
Achievement Awards - Youth recognitions
Achievement awards are recognitions earned by youth for accomplishments in Scouting.
| Knot | Award | Program | Description |
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Cub Scouts |
Awarded to Cub Scouts upon earning their Arrow of Light. |
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Scouts, B.S.A. |
Awarded to Scouts upon earning the Eagle Scout rank. |
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Venturing |
The Summit Award represents Venturing’s highest honor. |
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Sea Scouts |
The highest award for Sea Scouts. |
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All programs |
To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed religious emblems programs. |
Bravery Awards
| Knot | Award | Description |
|---|---|---|
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The Honor Medal may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill in saving or
attempting to save life at considerable risk to self |
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The Heroism Award may be
awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has
demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or
attempting to save life at minimal personal risk to
self. |
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The Medal of Merit may be
awarded to a youth member or adult leader
who has performed an act of service of a rare
or exceptional character that reflects an
uncommon degree of concern for the wellbeing of others. |
Leadership and Training Awards
Leadership and Training Awards recognize an adult Scouter’s efforts to complete required training and serve youth directly. A few of the more commonly given awards are presented here. Others may be found at Awards Central and US Scouts.
| Knot | Award | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Complete one year as a registered den leader in the position selected.
Tiger Cub den leader’s tenure can be the program year as long as it is greater than eight months. |
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The training awards are designed to recognize unit Scouters for tenure, training, and performance in their leadership roles. Available for all programs. |
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The keys are designed to recognize unit Scouters for tenure, training, and performance in their leadership roles. |
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A quality Scouting experience will help keep Scouts in the program, and the Boy Scouts of America created the Unit
Leader Award of Merit to recognize the quality unit leaders who make that happen. |
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Completion of a program leading to the award of the Doctorate of Commissioner Science from a College of Commissioner Science. |
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Five years tenure as a Commissioner and other requirements. |
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Two years tenure as a Commissioner and other requirements covering unit service and improved retention of members. |
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Attendance at Philmont Training Center (PTC) as a participant at least twice, and other requirements. |
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Awarded to BSA alumni that promote Scouting. |
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Worn by adults who received religious awards as an adult. |
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Available to registered Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level. |
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Worn by those honored for their personal donation of a minimum of $1000 to a local Council Endowment Fund, or honored by others with such a donation |
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Worn by those honored for starting a new unit. |
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FAQs
By October 15th of each year. We recommend starting the nomination process earlier so that you have time to gather any required information. Please contact Kathy Coleman, the registrar, if you need a Scouter’s training and service record to complete a nomination form.
For council honors, the decision is made by the council Key 3 based upon recommendations of a volunteer honors and awards committee, which scores nominations objectively. The districts follow a similar procedure for district awards. Other awards have specific processes that are usually described in Awards Central.
Council and district honors and some awards are presented at their annual recognition event, which are usually in or around February of each year. Other awards may be presented at special events, round tables, or at the unit as is most appropriate.
Please email awards@grandcanyonbsa.org or Recognition Chair listed above.