Why Knot" (local Council adaptation)
These awards were created or used by local Councils to recognize their membership in areas consistent with National programs. Wearing of these knots should be done after consulting with your Council Scout Executive. These are NOT official BSA knots, and are shown here only as illustration of what your Council may do to recognize Scouts, Explorers/Venturers and Scouters in ways that are in line with National programming or options.
If you have a rare Scouting award that you would like to share with the rest of the world, please send a scanned copy of the insignia along with requirements or outlines for the presentation of the award to me. I'll post it here and give you and/or your Council credit for the contribution.
Why Knot" (local Council adaptation)
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters
The "Why Knot" ("Why not?") was a "joke patch" which eventually became the prototype for the Scoutmaster Award of Merit. It was said that during a visit to a local Council in the Northeast Region early during his new tenure as Chief Scout Executive, Ben Love talked with several uniformed Scouters. All of the Scouters were wearing this strange-looking square knot and when Love asked "what's the knot for?", his staff members nor the Council Executive could answer. So, Love asked the Scouters. The Scouters explained that new Scouters were sometimes "put off" by older, more senior Scouters that seem to have "rows of those things" on their shirts. So, in their District, they decided to include those new Scouters that have "stuck around" for 18 months after being trained with a "why knot". When asked about the name, a Scouter responded "why not? We have knots for everything else, why don't we recognize the relatively new Scouter?" Love took this back to National, and later when discussions were being made about the NESA Scoutmaster Award, he related the visit to that Council and asked "Why don't we recognize EVERY Scoutmaster that have achieved a certain level early in their tenure? It seems that they had the right idea, even if it was "just a joke"."
The difference between the "Why Knot" and the Scoutmaster Award of Merit is the color of the background and border color (this is a off-white background, and the Scoutmaster Award of Merit is on a tan background and border, the standard background and border of most Scout knots.
Silver Scouter (College Scouter) Award Version 1
Silver Scouter (College Scouter) AwardVersion 2
Silver Scouter (College Scouter) AwardCurrent version
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters
Used at three colleges to recognize individuals for Scouting-like service to the campus community or to Scouting in general between 1980 and 1998. The original knot design was taken from the from the Scoutmaster Award of Merit knot with the square knot being silver instead of white. (personal note: there's nothing wrong with your browser, I was only able to get part of the knot scanned.) The second and final versions of the knot emblem feature a maroon and white knot emblem on a fully embrordered tan background (version 2) and a nicer emblem on the generic "khaki-tan" background (current version, version 3).
The Silver Scouter Award was shared between Eastern Kentucky, Boise State and Purdue Universities. Purdue called their award the "College Scouter" award. The actual award consists of a university medallion (or the BSA generic silver award medallion) suspended from a narrow maroon, white and maroon ribbon along with a certificate. Purdue used a different ribbon color combination but retained the knot emblem. One award was to be presented yearly to a member of one of the on-campus Exploring units; another award to be presented to an adult (21 or older) for their service to Scouting (not neccessarily on-campus) and a third award would be presented to a campus leader whose service reflects that of similar type service attained by Scouting members or volunteers. Only one "set" of awards could be presented yearly during Scouting Anniversary Month.
I have been told that this knot emblem is no longer available through Eastern Kentucky University, which is where I received the first two versions of the knot from as the Silver Scouter program there along with the Explorer Post has been inactive since 1998. When I inquired if they started up the program again in 2005, I was sent a small packet of knot emblems along with a note stating that the University was clearing out all of their old Exploring stuff and since the BSA did away with "college Scouter reserve" Exploring units and they did not transition to the Venturing program, I was welcome to the knots. I asked for one of the extra medallions as well and was told that there were none left.
Wood Badge emblem (unofficial)
(left: Boy Scout and right, Cub Scout 2, 3, and 4 -bead emblems (unofficial)
Worn by: Male and Female (Sea Scouting) Wood Badgers
Because wearing any necklace-type device is potentially dangerous on the water, several Sea Exploring leaders created the Wood badge emblem to be worn informally on the Sea Exploring whites, the Sea Exploring blues and the Sea Exploring khahi. This knot comes in three forms, which correspond to the two-bead, three-bead and four-bead necklaces worn by Wood Badgers traditionally on the tan field uniform. Because the Wood Badge training recognition IS the Wood Badge necklace, the National Uniform and Insignia Committee has steadfastly denied repeated requests by the Sea Exploring community to create an official version of this "knot"; however, local Councils do have the authority to authorize it's wear (as with other local Council awards) by Sea Exploring or other leaders on the tan uniform.
Traditional Sea Badge Emblem
(unofficial)
Worn by: Male and Female Sea Exploring Leaders and Scouters
Until 1992, there existed NO official Sea Badge "square knot" for holders of this special training recognition; however, there has been several local creations of the Sea Badge "uniform emblem" for wear alongside other square knots. The holders of the Sea Badge had no way to wear the Sea Badge officially on the field uniform and has continuously sought to get the BSA's Uniform and Insignia Committee to adopt a design. In 1992, the Committee finally did accept the trident award design which has been used for years in unofficial versions of the award. The only problem was that the "uniform emblem" they created does not conform to the size or height of other square knots, and while the symbolism (a blue trident on a grey (silver) background and border) was notable, many Sea Badge holders have opted to wearing the unofficial version (which is available in Sea Exploring blue as shown here; on white for the Sea Exploring whites; and on tan for the tan Scouters' field uniform) instead of the "official emblem" simply because it looks much better than the "something that looks like a trident" official version.
Silver Alligator (Troop) Award
Information provided by Tom Kochansky.
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters
The Silver Alligator Award, the highest award that Troop 339 of Tampa, FL gives to an adult for outstanding service.
The knot is a triple sheet bend in white on a lime green background. The formal decoration is a silver medal suspended from a green neck ribbon. The medal has a picture of the troop mascot imposed on it.
Information provided by Tippey Reynolds.
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters
The knot is for adults leaders.... (she didn't have any set requirements for the award; from the description, it appears that it's just a gag thing to give to new Scouters in her District)
The knot is a black square knot on an orange background and border.
Worn by: Male and Female Sea Scouts, Male and Female Scouters
Additional information provided through Sea Scout Ship 90
The Silver Anchor may be awarded to any Sea Scout or adult leader with at least year of membership who is determined to be the most outstanding and active in the Ship each year. A gold star may be affixed to the medal ribbon in exceptional cases. The award is approved by the Skipper, Mates, and Committee Chairman. (October 1968)
The square knot is again red and blue, with the red worn to the right, on either a white or navy blue background. (Designed by Third Mate Kevin Johnson) (February 1974)
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters
The Big Bucks series of knots were a early response to the James West Fellowship Award knot emblem. Some Scouters questioned the presentation of a knot for giving financial support to a local Council and created these series of knots. What those individuals didn't understand until later onward, was that others give money to the local Council IN THE NAME of the person whom they wished honored with the West Fellowship. In this way, not only does the Council benefit, but also deserving Scouters that otherwise may not be recognized with a service or other award, can be recognized for their volunteer work within the local Council.
The last knot emblem represents something called the "Order of the Silver Fork". It's another one of those things...
The knots are available from several patch trading/collecting firms like Streamwood's online catalog.
District Scouter of the Year, Gamehaven Council
Information provided by Gamehaven Council, Rochester, Minnesota.
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters
The Gamehaven Council's "Scouter of the Year" recognition is presented to outstanding unit Scouters and Unit Commissioners, voted on by their peers. Each Scouter of the Year receives a plaque and is eligible to purchase and wear this special "knot emblem".
The "Scouter of the Year" recognition is intended to recognize outstanding service to Scouting while serving as a unit volunteer or as a unit-serving commissioner. It is not intended to be awarded based on popularity. Unit Scouters can recommend other Scouters in their units once a year; the award is presented during District events or during a special portion of the unit's recognition ceremony or dinner.
The Gamehaven Scouter of the Year "knot" has a scout emblem encircled in red along with the emblem of the Council also encircled in red.
Bighorn District Scouter of the Year
Information provided by Craig Quist.
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters
The Bighorn District "Scouter of the Year" recognition was initially started as part of the Las Vegas Strip Kiwanis "Scouter of the Month" recognition program during 1992 thru 1996. The recipients of this award were selected by the Bighorn District - Commissioner Staff based on service to Scouting within the Bighorn District.
Based on the need to continue recognizing outstanding adult Scouters, the Bighorn District Committee has decided to re-initiate this recognition program, with those receiving the award to be selected by vote (one per unit) at the District Dinner. Along with a plaque, the recipients will also receive a patch that can be worn on the uniform, indicating that recipient was previously selected for this honor.
The Bighorn District "Scouter of the Year" recognition is intended to recognize outstanding service to Scouting in the Bighorn District, either by younger or older Scouters, and is not intended to be awarded based on popularity. As this recognition is not as prestigious as the "Award of Merit" recognition, it will be awarded before the "Award of Merit" presentation at the annual district dinner.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
The Bighorn District Scouter of the Year knot has a gray "figure eight" knot on a tan background with a red border (district colors are red, gray and tan).
Youth Leadership in America Award
Information provided by Mike Walton.
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters, Male and Female Venturers
The BSA and the Readers' Digest Association presented a special medal called the Youth Leadership in America Award between 1977 and 1992 to Senior Patrol Leaders, Team Captains, Explorer Post Presidents and Ship Boatswains. Part of the award called for special presentations to be judged at the local Council, Regional Area, Region and National levels for scholarships funded by the Readers' Digest Association.
There was no official "square knot" insignia designed or made to represent those many youth leaders who have spent the year and a half in earning the special award; the BSA simply asked those whom wished to have such a uniform recognition to remove the top bar from the medal which stated "Leadership", and wear it similarly to how the old Hornaday Medal Bar was worn.
I have lobbied and the BSA's National Uniform and Insignia Committee is considering a "knot emblem" to represent those Venturers and Scouters whom have received the special award a few years back; this knot emblem is the suggested design, taken from the red, white and green ribbon (the colors of the three programs in which the program took part in) but is NOT an official emblem (see note at top of page).
I have no more of these knot emblems for trade or sale.
More than 17,000 Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Explorers earned the award.
Information provided by Arapahoe District, Denver Area Council.
Worn by: Male and Female Scouters, Male and Female Venturers
The Silver Jackalope Award was created to recognize individuals outside the District or outside the Denver Area Council for their contributions toward the success of the Arapahoe District. They have provided special tools, instruction, coaching or resources toward making the District one of the Denver Area Council's Quality Districts. The Award was meant to keep Scouters from nominating individuals for District-level awards, thereby keeping those awards for the volunteers within the District to receive.
The Award consists of a LARGE silver jackalope medallion suspended from a medium blue ribbon; a certificate; and a special square knot with thread that "glows" in the dark after being subjected to constant light. The square knot and border both turn dark blue when exposed to "black light" or darkened areas in much the same way that many "ghost" Order of the Arrow flaps reveal their colors.
The District discontinued these awards in 2006.
Last Update: 22 January 2008
©: 1995
Settummanque! for Rose Walton
Tippey Award
Silver Anchor Award
Big Bucks Awards
Silver Jackalope Award
Knot Insignia Page