Western Shore District
Awards Criteria

The Awards Committee updates and distributes nomination forms to each unit annually for their submissions. Criteria are provided on forms. All nominations must be resubmitted each year.

Honor Unit Award:  For all units which qualify.  Recognizes units for participation in District activities and events including commissioner (roundtables), finance, and membership, as well as program activities.  Units receive a ribbon for their unit flag.

Shield of Service Award:  Units may nominate one Scout Leader for every 50 registered youth (or fraction thereof) as of the date of nomination.  This award is made by the District Awards Committee, upon the recommendation of the leadership of the unit.  Some units choose to recognize a person with long and distinguished service to the Pack, Troop, or Post.  Other units choose to honor an individual for specific contributions during the past year.  Shield of Service recipients receive a specially designed patch and a certificate.

Baden-Powell Service Award:  Approximately one scouter for every 8 units (or fraction thereof) will receive this award.  The District gives the Baden-Powell Service Award to Scout Leaders in recognition of outstanding service in responsible positions at the unit and/or District level.  Virtually every unit has at least one Scout Leader who is more deeply committed to scouting than most of the other unit leaders and has contributed more than would normally be expected of one person.  The number of authorized Baden-Powell Awards is not necessarily required to be awarded each year.  Baden-Powell Award recipients receive an engraved plaque and a certificate.

Distinguished Scouter Award:  This award may or may not be presented each year.  This award is given in recognition of many years of active service to scouting.  A way of recognizing "sustained superior performance" or a one time great contribution and permits honoring a long time Scout Leader who may already have received all of the standard awards.  A “Jane M. Smith Statement” and “List of Accomplishments” are attached to the form to aid in preparing their nominations.. Distinguished Scouter Award recipients receive a distinct memento, which will be presented at the District Leader Awards Dinner.

All District nominations are due by March 31.