Honors and Awards
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, including award applications and nomination forms. Additional awards, such as the Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, and Silver Bear have further information below.
View the Guide to Awards and Insignia. This resource is also available for purchase at the Scout Shop!
- Past Honorees for All National and Council Awards
- 2020 Grand Canyon Council Honorees
- 2021 Grand Canyon Council Honorees
- 2022 Grand Canyon Council Honorees | Accepted May 1 - Oct 14
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 until October 15 of each year. Additional information for these three awards is available here and the on-line nomination process appear below. 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 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 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)
District Award of Merit
A Council award given to a registered Scouter with noteworthy service at the district level. Service to youth may consist of a single plan or decision that contributed vitally to the lives of a large number of youth (for example, planning and leading a series of Camporees or Pinewood derby) or given to a smaller group over an extended period of time (for example, long term service on the district Eagle Board or as a unit leader who also supported district activities) Consideration is given to the nominee’s Scouting position and the correspond – ing opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectations of that Scouting position. Scouting Train – ing Awards are considered. Service to youth in Scouting and in the community are important. For example: President of Rotary Club, Lay Minister at Church, Red Cross Campaign leader, PTA, etc. This is often the first honor a Scouter receives. (1/25 units)
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.
Bravery Awards
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.
Resources
Eric Hiser
Council Recognition Chair
EHiser.BSA@gmail.com
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.