This chart lists all Religious Emblems Programs available to members of the Boy Scouts of America. Images of the medals, where available, may be viewed by clicking the award’s name. African Methodist Episcopal Church Local council service center or P.R.A.Y.11123 S. Towne Square, Suite BSt. Louis, MO 63123Toll Free: 1-800-933-7729; Fax: 314-845-0038; e-mail info@praypub.org ; […]

Welcome to Awards Central, the Boy Scouts of America’s repository for information about official awards and recognitions. This is where the most up-to-date information about BSA-related awards may be found, including award applications and nomination forms. Those interested in proposing a new award should complete an Award Proposal Application, which includes details about the […]

Filter Awards by Program Cub Scout Eagle Scout Explorer High Adventure Base Staff Order of the Arrow Scout Sea Scout Venturer Amount: $500 – $999 $1,000 – $1,999 $2,000 – $4,999 $5,000 – $9,999 $10,000 – $49,999 $50,000 – $70,000 SHOW RESULTS NESA World Explorer Alumni Relations Award Amount: Varies To qualify as a […]

Applications Workbook FAQ Award Requirements Conservation & Environment Conservation Awards Introduction of the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot […]

IMPORTANT:  Before beginning work on STEM Nova or Supernova Awards check with your local council to confirm if the program is available in your area.  The STEM Nova and Supernova Awards are optional awards that are administered by local councils.  Local councils have the option to make these awards available.   UPDATED 3/8/2023 RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS   […]

[…] Scouter. You may NOT choose your parent or your unit leader. Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award First-Level Supernova Award for Venturers Complete THREE of the Venturer Nova Awards. (Note: These may be done at any time after becoming a Venturer.) Complete the Venturing Scholarship exploration. (The following requirement was inadvertently left out of the guidebook.) Do ONE of the following: Show that you have had an average grade of B or higher (80 percent or higher) for one term or semester. Show that for one term or semester you have improved your school grades over the previous period. Do TWO of the following: Discuss with your mentor the following situation: Suppose you are writing a research paper and you find a resource in which the author’s words are so perfectly aligned with your perspectives and understanding that you cannot imagine a better way to put it in your paper than to use the author’s own words. How can you handle such a situation while still maintaining scholarly integrity? Discuss with your mentor the following situation: Suppose you are writing a research paper and you find resources with conflicting “facts” and/or conflicting conclusions. What are some viable strategies for resolving these conflicts and deciding which resources are trustworthy? Discuss with your mentor the following situation: Suppose you are writing a research paper and have acquired dozens of resources. How would you keep track of the resources, summarize the salient parts of each resource, and synthesize the collection of resources into a coherent research paper? Get a note from an instructor* of yours that states that during the past term you have demonstrated satisfactory abilities or progress in independently completing scholarly endeavors and proactively seeking help when needed. *If you are home-schooled, you may obtain a note from a counterpart such as your parent. If you are near the end of your current term, you may ask a current instructor. Otherwise, you should ask an instructor from the immediate past term. Do ONE of the following: Show that you have taken part in a scholarly activity (in school or in Scouting) that required teamwork, and discuss with your mentor what you learned about how a team of people can work together effectively, fairly, and efficiently. Find three resources (online, in a library, personal interview, etc.) of expert advice on successful teamwork strategies and discuss with your mentor what you learned about how a team of people can work together effectively, fairly, and efficiently. Do ONE of the following: Write an argument of approximately 500 words that defends or opposes the principle that, “Students should be obligated to report instances of cheating by others.” Discuss this with your mentor. With your crews, another crew, school class, or another peer group, conduct an ethical controversy discussion that addresses the question, “Should students be obligated to report instances of cheating by others?” Using the guidelines found in the “Venturing STEM Explorations” chapter, complete STEM explorations for four of the topics listed above. (Note: These may be completed at any time after becoming a Venturer.) Complete TWO Supernova activity topics, one each in two different STEM areas. Participate in a local, state, or national science fair or mathematics competition OR in any equally challenging STEM-oriented competition or workshop approved by your mentor. An example of this would be an X-Prize type competition. Do ONE of the following: Spend at least one day “shadowing” a local scientist or engineer. After your visit, discuss with your mentor your experience and what you learned about STEM careers. Learn about a career that is heavily involved with STEM. Make a presentation to your mentor about what you learned. Working with your mentor, organize and present a Nova award or other STEM-related program at a Cub Scout den or pack meeting. Be sure to receive permission from the appropriate unit leader, and plan accordingly. If a Cub Scout den or pack is not available, your presentation may be given to another youth group. Review the scientific method (you may know this as the scientific process) and note how scientists establish hypotheses, theories, and laws. Compare how the establishment of “facts” or “rules” using the scientific method differs from the establishment of “facts” or “rules” in other environments, such as legal, cultural, religious, military, mathematical, or social environments. Then do each of the following: Choose a current subject with at least two competing theories on the subject and learn as much as possible about each theory. Analyze the competing theories, decide which one is most convincing to you, and explain why to your mentor. Make a presentation to your mentor that describes the controversy, the competing theories, and your conclusions about how the scientific method can or cannot contribute to the resolution of the controversy. Submit an application to the district or council Nova or advancement committee for approval. Wright Brothers Supernova Award OPTION 1: Second-Level Supernova Award for Venturers and Sea Scouts For those who earned the Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award as a registered Venturer or Sea Scout. Earn the Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award while a registered Venturer. Complete ONE additional Venturer Nova award for a total of four. (Note: This may be done at any time after becoming a Venturer.) Using the guidelines found in the “Venturing STEM Explorations” chapter, complete FOUR of the topics listed above. The four topics must be different from those completed while working on the Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award, for a total of eight different topics. (Note: These awards may be earned at any time after becoming a Venturer.) Complete TWO additional Supernova activity topics, one each in the two STEM areas not completed for the Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award. (Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Wright Brothers Supernova Award, the Venturer will have completed one Supernova activity topic in each of the four STEM areas.) Participate in a local, state, or national science fair or mathematics competition OR any other equally challenging STEM-oriented competition or workshop approved by your mentor. An example of this would be an X-Prize type competition. (Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Wright Brothers Supernova Award, the Venturer will have participated in two such events.) Working with your mentor, organize and present a Nova awards or other STEM-related program at a Cub Scout den or pack meeting. Be sure to receive permission from the appropriate unit leader. If a Cub Scout den or pack is not available, your presentation may be given to another group. (Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Wright Brothers Supernova Award, the Venturer will have completed two such presentations.) Research a scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematical breakthrough or invention of the past 100 years that has affected our society in a meaningful way. Develop your hypothesis on how this invention might further affect our society during your lifetime. Present either a 30-minute oral report or a 1,500-word written report to your mentor. Submit an application to the district or council Nova or advancement committee for approval. OPTION 2: Second-Level Supernova Award for Venturers and Sea Scouts For those who earned the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award as a registered Boy Scout. Earn the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award while a registered Boy Scout. Complete ONE additional Venturer Nova award for a total of four. (Note: This may be done at any time after becoming a Venturer.) The Venturer Nova award completed should be different from the Boy Scout Nova awards previously completed. Using the guidelines found in the “Venturing STEM Explorations” chapter, complete FOUR of the topics listed above. The four topics must be different from those completed while working on the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award, for a total of eight different topics. (Note: These awards may be earned at any time after becoming a Venturer.) Additional merit badges earned while a Boy Scout may not be used in lieu of the STEM explorations required for this award. Complete TWO additional Supernova activity topics, one each in the two STEM areas not completed for the Harris Supernova Award. (Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Wright Brothers Supernova Award, the Venturer will have completed one Supernova activity topic in each of the four STEM areas.) Participate in a local, state, or national science fair or mathematics competition OR any other equally challenging STEM-oriented competition or workshop approved by your mentor. An example of this would be an X-Prize type competition. (Note: The intent is that, upon completion of the Wright Brothers Supernova Award, the Venturer will have participated in two such events.) Working with your mentor, organize and present a Nova award or other STEM-related program to a Cub Scout den or pack meeting. Be sure to receive permission from the appropriate unit leader. If a Cub Scout den or pack is not available, your presentation may be given to another youth group. (Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Wright Brothers Supernova award the Venturer will have completed two such presentations.) Research a scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematical breakthrough or invention of the past 100 years that has affected our society in a meaningful way. Develop your hypothesis on how this invention might further affect our society during your lifetime. Present either a 30-minute oral report or a 1,500-word written report to your mentor. Submit an application to the district or council Nova or advancement committee for approval. Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award NOTE: A youth must be a registered Venturer or Sea Scout when this work is completed in order to this award. Third-Level Supernova Award for Venturers and Sea Scouts Earn either the Thomas Edison Supernova Award while a registered Boy Scout or the Wright Brothers Supernova Award while a registered Venturer. Complete FOUR additional Supernova activity topics, one in each of the four different STEM areas. (Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award the Venturer will have completed two Supernova activity topics in each of the four STEM areas for a total of eight.) Create and propose a new Nova awards topic for any program (Cub Scout, Webelos, Boy Scouts, or Venturing) comparable to the existing Nova awards topics at that program level. Prepare a written outline for this proposed Nova awards topic and submit it to your mentor. With guidance from your mentor, select an area of current STEM-related concern and develop a research project or experiment related to that area. Prepare a one-page written proposal detailing your scientific hypothesis or engineering objective and your proposed experimental methods, which must be approved by the National STEM in Scouting Committee before you begin work (einstein@scouting.org).  This research project or experiment should be challenging and should require a significant investment of time and effort on your part. (A guideline would be approximately 100 hours.) If your mentor is not a specialist in the area of your project or experiment, he or she will solicit assistance from a specialist who to serve as a STEM consultant. Execute the project or experiment. Prepare a complete and well-documented written report AND an oral presentation. Present both to your mentor and your local council STEM in Scouting committee. Submit an application to the national STEM in Scouting committee for approval. A guide to earning and mentoring the Dr Albert Einstein Supernova Award is available (updated 2020 Feb 05).  Supernova Activity Topics Each STEM field—science, technology, engineering, mathematics—offers a choice of three Supernova activity topics. These are two-part, hands-on, high-level activities created to challenge you and help you continue along your STEM journey to excellence. Part 1 involves research, preparation, set up, coordination, and/or organization. Part 2 includes elements such as analysis, reflection, experimentation, design, or invention, and culminates in a report created by you. Click here to get started. STEM Exploration Requirements Science Technology Engineering Mathematics –> The following requirements apply to any specific STEM field of interest chosen by a Venturer or Sea Scout in the course of completing a Nova or Supernova […]

[…] in Charlotte January 2013 Avoiding Delays in Requests for Extension of Time to Earn Eagle Scout Rank January 2013 Avoiding Issues for Eagle Scout Candidates June/July 2012 Awards: New Whitewater Rafting Award September/October 2017 Awards (Sea Scouts): Sea Scout Elective “Strands”: A Primer March/April 2017 Awards (Sea Scouts): Quartermaster Rank Materials Updated November/December 2016 […]

[…] have inquired about the development of a recognition that could be given to registered adult leaders in units chartered to community organizations, similar to the adult religious awards presented by various denominations and faith groups. After study and evaluation, the BSA National Court of Honor approved the concept of a Community Organization Award square […]

Awards and Recognition Conservation Resources National Conservation Training Opportunities National High-Adventure Base Conservation Opportunities BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Program Since 1910, conservation and environmental studies have been an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts have rendered distinguished public service by helping to conserve wildlife, energy, forests, soil, and water. […]

[…] Tigers are not eligible to earn the Cub Scout Supernova award. Although it is not a requirement, it is recommended that you earn at least two Nova awards for Cub Scouts before earning the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award. Requirements 1. Complete the adventure appropriate for your rank AND complete either option A […]

Most adult awards and recognitions have certificates, pins or medals, and a patch usually with a square knot embroidered on it in different colors.  Adult leaders wear these square knot patches on their uniform over the left pocket.  The order that they are worn is up to the individual.  To learn more see the Guide […]

Awards Cub Scouts Earn as Individuals Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts may earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award by meeting the following requirements and activities. The Cub Scout will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the […]

[…] an ankle using only materials in your pack? Are you prepared to do any of these in rain, snow, sleet, or heat? If so, the National Outdoor Awards are for you. There is nothing virtual about these awards—you can earn them only by demonstrating knowledge and experience in the outdoors. So, if you are a […]

Outdoor Awards –  For a full list of BSA awards visit the BSA awards Central. Below are some awards that are specific to Outdoor Programs 50-Miler Award—This embroidered patch, No. 00191, or leather patch, No. 00241, is earned when a Scout hikes, paddles, bikes, or rides horseback for at least 50 miles over five consecutive […]

[…] is the BSA’s highest conservation award available.  Developed to encourage learning by the participants and to increase public awareness about natural resource conservation through sound stewardship. The awards program has three awards: Youth: BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Adult: BSA Distinguished Conservationist Organizations and Individuals: BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Certificate World Conservation Award The World Conservation Award provides […]

The Boy Scouts of America’s NOVA Awards program incorporates learning with cool activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA members, and Venturers. The hope is that the requirements and activities for earning these awards stimulates interest in STEM-related fields and shows how science, technology, engineering and mathematics […]

[…] through existing programs. From archery to welding, Scouts can’t help but enjoy the wide range of STEM-related activities. To support this initiative, the BSA developed the Nova Awards program so that youth members have fun and receive recognition for their efforts. The Boy Scouts of America developed the Nova Awards program to excite and […]

[…] your alley. To be eligible, you must be a First Class Scout or higher. As a prerequisite, you must first earn any three of the four Nova awards for Scouts BSA. With your parent’s and unit leader’s help, you must select a council-approved mentor who is a registered Scouter. You may NOT choose your […]

Most adult awards and recognitions have certificates, pins or medals, and a patch usually with a square knot embroidered on it in different colors.  Adult leaders wear these square knot patches on their uniform over the left pocket.  The order that they are worn is up to the individual.  To learn more see the Guide […]

[…] both courses. She has attended five National Scout Jamborees and the most recent World Scout Jamboree. Julie has received the council, area, region, and national Venturing Leadership Awards, Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. Professionally Julie manages a Trust Department for a community bank […]

Back to: Marketing Awards 2022 Honorees The National Marketing Awards honors councils who have demonstrated marketing excellence in building and promoting the Scouting brand through: Fundraising, Membership Recruitment, Program Implementation, or Social/Digital Outreach. We celebrate the work of this year’s award-winning councils! FUNDRAISING Chattahoochee Council – Columbus, GA Circle Ten Council – Dallas, TX […]

Unit Guides DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF These unit guides provide information and examples on how to conduct STEM Nova Award topics as part of your unit meeting.  

[…] Award, or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award. For more information, click here! Deadline: March 1 Religious Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Distinguished Scout Scholarship Each year, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting awards $2,000 scholarships to five outstanding Catholic young men or women who are high school seniors and currently registered and active in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, or […]

[…] leadership carry out the aims and mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Advancement Is Based on Experiential Learning Everything done to advance—to earn ranks and other awards and recognition—is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons. Members learn and develop according to a standard. This is the case from the time a […]

[…] Advancement Report, No.34403, as documentation for the Nova Award. Submit the Supernova Award Application, below, as instructed in the requirements. Submit any questions regarding the Nova or Supernova awards to program.content@scouting.org Effective June 1, 2015, the rank requirements for Cub Scouts are changing (see www.scouting.org/programupdates for these new requirements). Cub Scouts currently working on the Nova awards or […]

[…] on the TRUST award, Venturers will learn more about themselves, their communities, their religion and culture, as well as those of others. LEARN MORE Nova and Supernova Awards The Boy Scouts of America developed the Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in our Scouts. By working with an adult […]

Webelos can earn any of the Cub Scout Nova Awards.  They may also earn the Dr. Charles Townes Supernova Award, as described below. Below are the current requirements for the Dr. Charles Townes Supernova Award, as of January 1, 2018.   Please use the Advancement Report, No.34403 as documentation for the Nova Award. Submit […]

[…] preparation for the first National Exploring Conference. 1964: The Air Explorer program was eliminated, and the Sea Explorer program was overhauled to meet changing demands. 1966: The last Silver Awards were earned as Exploring began to turn more towards career emphasis. 1969: The BSA allowed young women ages 14 to 20 to join special-interest Explorer posts. 1971: Young […]

The International Spirit Award can now be purchased through the Scout Shop on-line here, as well as at your local Scout Shop. Previously, International Spirit Awards were processed by the BSA International Department at the BSA National Office. Going forward, Youth International Spirit Awards will be processed consistent with Youth advancement procedure through Scoutbook/Internet […]

[…] who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law, councils, territories, and the BSA National Council may present individuals with the Venturing Leadership Award. The council, territory, and national awards are selected by a task force of youth and adults from the respective tier and are processed by a committee that is formed by the respective […]