Pack Leaders - Knot Awards
Adult Scouters can earn awards for their service to the Pack, and to other Scouting units. These awards often come with a certificate or a medal, and are represented on the uniform shirt by a small badge with a knot on it, worn above the left pocket. Adult Scouters can also wear knots for some of the awards they earned as a Scout.
Regulations do not specify any particular order for knots, but they do state that the knot(s) most important to the Scouter should be placed to the Scouter's right (closest to the buttons).
Below you will find some of the knots worn by our adult leaders, and their meanings.
Personal Achievement as a Scout
Arrow of Light
A Webelos scout earns the Arrow of Light award by completing requirements from the Webelos handbook. The Arrow of Light award is the hightest Cub Scout award available. The award patch is worn as a Webelos scout and as a Boy Scout - adults wear the square knot symbol.
Eagle Scout
A Boy Scout earns the Eagle Scout award by completing requirements from the Scout handbook. The Eagle Scout award is the highest youth rank in scouting. The award patch is worn as a Boy Scout - adults wear the square knot symbol. The Eagle Scout medal is work on formal occasions.
Youth Religious Emblem Award
The Youth Religious Emblem Awards are earned through work with the individual religious unit and the requirements for each are set by the church and not by BSA. Once earned, the award is generally presented by the church or religious group but may also be recognized by the Scout unit at an event such as a Court of Honor or Troop meeting or Pack meeting. This award may be earned as a youth, or presented to an adult that is nominated. Once earned as a youth, the knot may be displayed on the uniform from that time forward.
Adult Recognition - Training
Tiger Cub Leader Training Award
This award is earned by completing one year as a registered Tiger Cub den leader, completing all training for the position, and meeting certain performance goals related to youth advacement and retention.
Den Leader Training Award
This award is earned by completing one year as a registered Wolf or Bear den leader, completing all training for the position, and meeting certain performance goals related to youth advacement and retention.
Webelos Leader Training Award
This award is earned by completing one year as a registered Webelos den leader, completing all training for the position, and meeting certain performance goals related to youth advacement and retention.
Cub Scouter's Training Award
This award is earned by completing two years as a registered adult leader in a Cub Scout pack, completing all training for the position, and meeting certain performance goals related to youth advacement and retention, program planning, and/or service to the unit.
Cubmaster Training Award
This award is earned by completing two years as a registered Cubmaster (or one year as Assistant and one year as Cubmaster), completing all training for the position, and meeting certain performance goals related to youth advacement and retention, program planning, and/or service to the unit.
Scouter's Training Award
The Scouter's Training Award denotes two year served in any position as a registered leader in various Scouting units and positions of responsibility. Requirements vary, depending on position, but all requirements basically amount to creation and/or maintenance of a quality scouting program.
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 responsibities. To earn the award, Professional staff Scouters must complete or participate in five of eight training or coaching programs (including Wood Badge, Exploring Advanced Seminar, and National Camping School), successfully attend all three sessions of the Professional Executive Institute (PEI), and meet all critical achievements in his or her District/Division/Council for two of the three years.
Wood Badge
Wood Badge training is the highest level of adult Scout leader training available. It requires classroom work, several weekend sessions and one or more independent projects to complete, usually over the course of a year or longer. The goal of Wood Badge is to teach leadership skills - and their practical application - to Scouters. Wood Badge training is actualy represented on the uniform by a special neckerchief and slide ("woggle"), instead of a knot.
Adult Recognition - Service
District Award of Merit
The District Award of Merit is awarded by a District to a registered Scouter for service to youth in the District. Normally, the award is presented for service to youth in excess of five years. A nominee must have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, outside of Scouting, or both. Consideration is given to the nominee's Scouting position and the corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that Scouting position.
Silver Beaver
The Silver Beaver is awarded by a Council to a registered Scouter for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth within the local Council. It is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.
Unit Leader Award of Merit
The Unit Leader Award of Merit recognizes excellence in Scout unit leaders. Earning this award requires at least 18 months of service as a unit leader (not assistant), and meeting training requirements for that position. It requires program planning, succesison planning, high youth advancement, and working well with the chartered organization and the community. Unit leaders must be nominated for this award by their unit committee.
Other Knots
William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award
The William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award is presented to recognize volunteers who organize one or more traditional Scouting units. A volunteer can earn the knot by organizing one traditional unit, and a program device can be earned for up to three additional units organized.
James West Fellowship Award
The James West Fellowship Award is presented through a local Council to any individual that gives $1000 or more to the local Council's West Fellowship Fund (local Councils have differing names for this special pool) on behalf of him/herself, or another individual to be honored or recognized through membership within the West Fellowship. The money goes 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.
International Scout Award
The International Scout Award encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in World Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting.
