Awards

The purpose of this award is to recognize at the Annual District Dinner individuals who have given of themselves on behalf of the Scouting movement, but behind the scenes.  

The support should be noteworthy and significant and have required some personal sacrifice.  This award is intended to recognize individuals not registered with the Boy Scouts of America.  This could include the special support provided by the spouse of a scout leader.

The purpose of this award is to recognize at the Annual District Dinner scouters who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.    

The suggested minimum criteria are that the individual has given significant and noteworthy service to scouting and is current in their completion of Basic Training. 

NOTE: previous District Award of Merit recipients are not eligible for this award.

The District Award of Merit is the highest recognition a Scouting District can bestow upon an individual.  The award is presented to registered volunteer Scouters for noteworthy service to youth.  The requirements for the award are:

• Candidates for the award must be a registered volunteer Scout Leader.

• They must have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, out Scouting, or both

• A suggested minimum of five years of accumulated service to youth will be considered

• Service to youth and community involvement outside of Scouting are desirable.

• The nominee's attitude toward and cooperation with the District and/or Council will be considered.

Wood Badge is the foremost training experience for Adult Scout leaders.  During Wood Badge, the model Boy Scout troop will serve as a laboratory for training purposes.  Its focus is on leadership, not out-of-door skills. As a result of attending Wood Badge, participants will be able to:

• View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values-based programs that provide age-appropriate activities for youth

• Recognize the contemporary leadership concepts utilized in corporate America and leading government organizations that are relevant to our values-based movement.

• Apply the skills they learn from their participation as a member of a successful working team.

• Revitalize their commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experience that helps    provide Scouting with the leadership it needs to accomplish its mission on an ongoing basis.

These skills and experiences are solidified with a “Woodbadge Ticket.”  A ticket is a contract between you and a member of the staff usually referred to as a Troop Guide or Ticket Counselor. This contract is your commitment to practice using the Leadership Skills taught at Wood Badge in the performance of your Scouting job.

The Silver Beaver Award 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. 

The award is to recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.  It is given to those who do not actively seek it.

The award is presented annually to a Scoutmaster within the Heart of America Council who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the values of the Scout Oath and Law and to the mentorship of Eagle Scouts. The purpose of this award is to recognize a Scoutmaster who sets the standard of Scoutmaster leadership.  The award named after Paul Arend a highly respected and long tenured scoutmaster of the Blue Elk District and Chieftain of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say from Independence, Missouri.

A scoutmaster who exemplifies:

• A record having the scouts during his tenure advancing to Eagle Scout.

• Demonstrates the ability to develop a scouts character, Citizenship, Leadership and Community Service. 

• Actively goes on overnights, and long term camping with the troop.  

• Actively participates in both district and council activities. 

• Has earned the respect of scouts, scout parents, fellow leaders, and peers in the Scouting community in the areas of: Religious faith, Integrity, Kindness, Compassion, and Humility. 

• Promotes the God and Country award.

Recognition of Tom Newhard serving scouting for 75 years.