Two New National Outdoor Awards

As we celebrate 100 Years of Scouting for the Boy Scouts of America, the National Council has released two new awards specifically recognizing the "Outdoor" part of the Scouting adventure! Check out the two awards below:

The National Outdoor Challenge
The National Outdoor Challenge (No. 430-016) is a unit award that recognizes troops/teams that maintain or increase the amount of outdoor activity when compared to the previous year. The award is due at the end of 2010. With the release of this award, the National Camping Award has been discontinued; however, patches for camping nights will be available until the inventory is depleted.

The award can be achieved by Troops meeting the following requirements:
1. Develops annual plan for the current year.
2a. Conducts at least 10 outdoor activities for the year with at least 50 percent of registered youth participating.
OR 2b. Increases the number of outdoor trips or activities compared to the previous year.
3. Attends long-term resident camp or a local/national high-adventure experience of at least six days/five nights
4. Conducted at least one outing with a Webelos Scout den.
5. Earned at least one outdoors-related merit badge per Scout.
6. Conducted at least one Leave No Trace program during the calendar year for at least 50 percent of members.

For more information about this award and others:
Boy Scout Adult and Unit Awards
The National Outdoor Challenge Application


The National Outdoor Achievement Award
The National Outdoor Achievement Award (No. 430-509) recognizes Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts that excel in outdoor participation. The award consists of five areas of emphasis (camping, aquatics, hiking, riding and adventure) with rigorous requirements to earn each segment.

Scouts looking for an extra challenge can earn the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement. This challenging award requires earning at least three of the National Outdoor Achievement segments, planning and leading a trek, earning Wilderness First Aid and becoming a Leave No Trace Trainer as well as several other requirements.

For more information about this award and the application:
The National Outdoor Achievement Award