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Adult Awards
The District Award of Merit, a silver square knot on a dark blue background Scouter's Key, a green and white knot on a beige background  

In March of 1946 the Boy Scouts of America announced the first six square knot awards. These awards were to replace the ribbon bars that were being earned at the time. The list of knots has continued to grow. Some knots have been discontinued and others have been added. At present there are 32 knot awards in the areas of Achievement, Bravery, Leadership & Training, Outstanding Service, Religious, and Support awards. These awards are worn on the Scouting uniform in place of the plaque or large pendant that they represent.

Generally, the knot awards are worn by adult leaders. But there are a few that may be worn by youth members. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts may wear the Universal Religious Emblem and the lifesaving and Meritorious Award knots.

Some knots are the same for training or service in different programs. For example, the Scouters Training Award knot is the same for service in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting and Exploring, Commissioner Service and District Committee.To distinguish the difference in programs a small device may be worn inside the knot for the appropriate program. If the knot award is earned in more than one program then more than one device should be worn.

Here are some of the knots you might see and what they mean

Click on the image of the knot to go to the description of its award.
Youth Religious Knot, a silver square knot with a purple background and border Arrow of Light, this is a green and red knot on a beige background with a yellow border Quartermaster Award, a black square knot with a white background and border
Explorer Achievement Award, a white square knot with red, white, and blue background and white border Hornaday Award, a blue, green, and white square knot with beige background and border Adult Religious Knot, a purple square knot with a silver background and border Tiger Cub Den Leader Award, a black and orange square knot with a yellow background and orange border
Cub Den Leader Award, a yellow square knot with a dark blue background and border Webelos Den Leader Award, a yellow square knot with a yellow background and border Cub Den Leader Coach Award, a blue square knot with a dark blue background and border Cubmaster Award, a light blue square knot with a yellow background and border
Cub Scouter Award, a blue and yellow square knot with a dark blue background and border Scouter's Training Knot, a green square knot with beige background and border Scouter's Key, a green and white square knot with beige background and border Scout Master Award of Merit, a white square knot with beige background and border
The Sea Badge, a dark blue trident on a gray background with a dark blue border Honor Medal, a red square knot with a beige background and border Medal of Merit, a yellow and blue square knot with a beige background and border Heroism Award, a red square knot with a white background and border
James E. West Award, a yellow and green square knot with a beige background and red border Whitney M. Young Award, a black and white square knot with a beige background and red border Daniel Carter Beard Award, a yellow square knot with a navy background and yellow border George Meany Award, a blue square knot with a red and white background and border
William H. Spurgeon Award, a yellow square knot with a black background and yellow border District Award of Merit, a silver overhand knot with a navy background and silver border Silver Beaver, a blue and white square knot with a beige background and border Silver Antelope, a yellow and white square knot with a beige background and border
Silver Buffalo, a red and white square knot with a beige background and border Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award, a white square knot with a red background and border Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, a silver square knot with a red background and silver border Professional Training Award, a black square knot with a gray background and black border


Youth Religious Knot, a silver square knot with a purple background and border 
Adult Religious Knot, a purple square knot with a silver background and border

Youth & Adult Religious Awards

Religious emblems are for all members of the BSA that wish to pursue them. The Youth 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. If a Scout earns the youth award and as an adult later is presented the adult award as well, both knots may be worn. Back to the Top



Eagle Scout, this is a red, white and blue square knot on a beige background with beige border

Eagle Scout


Scouting's highest rank is earned by Boy Scouts who fulfill requirements stated in current literature. Adults wear the knot award while youth wear the badge. Those who receive the Distinguished Eagle Award may wear that device attached to this knot. On formal occasions the eagle pendant may be worn by either youth or adults. Back to the Top



Arrow of Light, this is a green and red knot on a beige background with a yellow border

Arrow of Light Award

Adults who earned their Arrow of Light award as a Webelo Scout may wear this knot. Back to the Top



Quartermaster Award, a black square knot with a white background and border

Quartermaster Award

This is Sea Exploring highest honor. Requirements are listed in the Sea Explorer Manual. Sea Explorers wear the badge, Adults wear the knot. Back to the Top



Scouter's Training Knot, a green square knot with beige background and border

Scouter's Training Award

This award is earned by leaders serving in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Exploring, Commissioner Service and District committee positions. The criteria involves the proper training, tenure, and performance. If someone fulfills the requirements for this knot in more than one program area they may wear a small device inside the knot to distinguish how the award was earned. Back to the Top



Scouter's Key, a green and white square knot with beige background and border

Scouter's Key

This knot is also earned by serving in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Exploring, Commissioner Service, and District Committee positions. Additional training, tenure and performance is required. The appropriate device may be attached to the knot. Back to the Top



The Sea Badge, a dark blue trident on a gray background with a dark blue border

Sea Badge

Presented to adults who finish the requirements in the Sea Badge Conference Guide. Back to the Top



Honor Medal, a red square knot with a beige background and border

Honor Medal

Awarded to youth or adults who have demonstrated unusual heroism and skill in saving a life or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self. The recommendation form is the same for all four awards. Back to the Top



Heroism Award, a red square knot with a white background and border

Heroism Award

Awarded to youth or adults who have demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life with minimum risk to self. Back to the Top



Medal of Merit, a yellow and blue square knot with a beige background and border

Medal Of Merit

Earned by a youth or adult by performing an outstanding act of service and exceptional character by putting into practice scouting skills and ideals. It does not need to involve risk to self. Back to the Top



Cub Scouter Award, a blue and yellow square knot with a dark blue background and border

Cub Scouter Award

Adults that complete the required training, tenure and performance in a Pack, District or Council position. District Cub Commissioner approves the recognition record. Back to the Top



Cub Den Leader Coach Award, a blue square knot with a dark blue background and border

Den Leader Coach Award

Leaders that complete the required training, tenure, and performance while serving as a Den Leader Coach can earn this award. Back to the Top



Cub Den Leader Award, a yellow square knot with a dark blue background and border

Den Leaders Award

This award is designed for those that complete the required training, tenure, and performance while serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader. Back to the Top



Cubmaster Award, a light blue square knot with a yellow background and border

Cubmaster Award

Cubmasters that complete the required training, tenure, and performance can earn this award. Back to the Top



Tiger Cub Den Leader Award, a black and orange square knot with a yellow background and orange border

Tiger Cub Coach Award

Adults that serve as a Tiger Cub Coach may earn this award by completing the required training, tenure, and performance. Back to the Top



Webelos Den Leader Award, a yellow square knot with a yellow background and border

Webelos Den Leader Award

Webelos den leaders may earn this award by completing the required training, tenure, and performance. Back to the Top



District Award of Merit, a silver overhand knot with a navy background and silver border

District Award of Merit

This is the highest honor that a district may bestow on a Scouter. Leaders involved at any level of scouting or in a program are eligible for nomination. Recommendations are reviewed by a district committee to determine who should be granted the award. Back to the Top



Silver Beaver, a blue and white square knot with a beige background and border

Silver Beaver

The highest honor that a council can bestow on a Scouter. Leaders at any level or any program are eligible. Nominations are submitted to the local council committee for consideration and approval. Back to the Top



Silver Antelope, a yellow and white square knot with a beige background and border

Silver Antelope

The highest honor that a region may bestow on a Scouter. Leaders that have rendered exceptional service on a regional basis are eligible. Nominations are submitted to Regional Scout Offices for consideration and approval. Back to the Top



Silver Buffalo, a red and white square knot with a beige background and border

Silver Buffalo

The highest honor that the National Council can bestow on a Scouter. Leaders that have rendered exceptional service on a national basis are eligible. Nominations are sent to the BSA National Offices for consideration. Back to the Top



Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award, a white square knot with a red background and border

Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented to an OA member who has rendered unusual service to the order on a national basis. Back to the Top



George Meany Award, a blue square knot with a red and white background and border

George Meany Award

This knot can be bestowed on unusually effective Scouters who are labor union members. Back to the Top



Whitney M. Young Award, a black and white square knot with a beige background and red border

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award

Those who work to promote Scouting among low-income, inner city and rural youth may be recognized with this award. It is named after the late civil rights advocate. Back to the Top



William H. Spurgeon Award, a yellow square knot with a black background and yellow border

William H. Spurgeon Award

Individuals who render distinguished service to Exploring may be honored with this award. He was a native Californian and long time devotee of Exploring. Back to the Top



Hornaday Award, a blue, green, and white square knot with beige background and border

William T. Hornaday Award

This knot is to recognize those involved in exceptional and unusual service to conservation or environmental quality. It can be bestowed on a scouting unit, individual scout, or leader. There are five levels to this award. The unit certificate and the badge are administered by the local council. The bronze medal, silver medal and gold medal are administered by the national council. Back to the Top



Daniel Carter Beard Award, a yellow square knot with a navy background and yellow border

Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award

Members of the Freemasons that render distinguished service to the BSA may be honored with this award. The award recipient must be nominated by a Master Mason and approved through a formal process as outlined by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Back to the Top



Explorer Achievement Award, a white square knot with red, white, and blue background and white border

Exploring Leadership Award

Presented by councils, areas/regions, and national to Explorers and adults who have made exceptional contributions to Exploring and who exemplify the Explorer Code. Back to the Top



James E. West Award, a yellow and green square knot with a beige background and red border

James E. West Award

This award is presented to individuals based on a contribution of $1000 or more to the local Council's West Fellowship Fund. Only registered Scouters or youth members receive and wear the square knot. Back to the Top


Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, a silver square knot with a red background and silver border

Distinguished Commissioner Service

This is additional recognition for all levels of commissioner service. Back to the Top



Scout Master Award of Merit, a white square knot with beige background and border

Scoutmaster Award of Merit

This award can be earned by all Scoutmasters prior to qualifying for the Scouter's Key.
Back to the Top



Professional Training Award, a black square knot with a gray background and black border

Professional Training Award

This award is for professional Scouters. It requires four years of service, three levels of professional training and performance levels set by Professional Directors.
Back to the Top


Additional information on these awards can be found in the Insignia Guide and other Scouting literature.