Worn by: Cub Scouts, Boy/Varsity Scouts, Male and Female Venturers, Male and Female Scouters

This square knot is worn by those whom have earned a religious emblem or award as a youth member of the BSA or some other organization (Girl Scouting, YMCA, Salvation Army, etc.). The awards are NOT BSA awards; they are awards presented by a church body for education, service and devotion to faith. Only ONE youth award square knot is worn, no matter how many times the holder earns a second or subsequent religious award as a youth member. Since many faiths offer several times within a youth's tenure opportunities to earn an award or emblem, the program(s) in which the award(s) is earned is denoted by small program devices which are placed on the square knot. Devices are available for Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Exploring and Venturing.

Worn by: Boy/Varsity Scouts, Male and Female Venturers, Male and Female Scouters NOTE: Medal CAN NOT PRESENTLY be worn on BSA official uniforms per the BSA's National Uniform and Insignia Committee

The Antarctica Service Medal is awarded to any person who subsequent to 1 January 1946 meets any of the following criteria: a. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who participates in or has participated in scientific, direct support, or exploratory operations in Antarctica under sponsorship and approval of the United States Government (The National Science Foundation is a federal agency). b. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who participates in flights as a member of the crew of an aircraft flying to or from the Antarctic Continent in support of operations. c. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who serves in an United States ship operating south of latitude 60 degrees South in support of United States Programs in Antarctica.

The National Science Foundation selects a Scout or Venturer every other year to take part in an expedition on or near the South Pole. In 1992, the BSA mandated that the medal may no longer be worn with the official BSA uniforms. However, local Councils whom have sent representatives have permitted the special medal to be worn formally. Very Rare award.

Worn by: Boy/Varsity Scouts, Male and Female Venturers, Male and Female Scouters

The William T. Hornaday Award recognizes Scouts, Venturers and Scouters for their service to conservation and ecology efforts in their communities. Prior award holders only earned a gold version of the Silver Award medal, and were instructed to wear the Badge in the same manner and location as other square knots. Present Bronze and Silver Medalists now wear the square knot; present Gold Medallion holders may wear the Gold Badge or the square knot; and those whom have earned the Badge as a group (Den, Patrol, Crew or Squad), may wear the Badge. To earn the Hornaday Award as an individual, youth members must earn a series of merit badges followed by a concentrated series of conservation and/or environmental education projects to be conducted in the member's community or nearby, under the advisement of a trained conservation, naturalist, or environmental engineering expert. The present adult Gold Award is nominative in nature, and extends over at least a ten-year span of working in or with conservation or environmental education/reclamation efforts in the community, state or nation. Bronze and Silver Awards are Rare. Gold Awards are Very Rare.

Worn by: Cub Scouts, Boy/Varsity Scouts, Male and Female Ventures, Male and Female Scouters

The Merit Medal honors Scouts, Venturers and Scouters that have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected of a youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. Key in the difference between this award and the heroism awards is that the action need not involve saving life, but must employ some aspect of Scouting learning or skills in the execution. Very Rare.

Worn by:Cub Scouts, Boy/Varsity Scouts, Male and Female Ventures, Male and Female Scouters

The Heroism Medal is presented to those that save live at little or no personal risk. In the past, those persons would receive a Certificate of Heroism from the local Council. Today, those previous holders of Certificates of Heroism as well as present Scouts, Venturers or Scouters are honored with the present Medal. Very Rare.

Worn by: Cub Scouts, Boy/Varsity Scouts, Male and Female Venturers, Male and Female Scouters

The Honor Medal is presented to those for life saving at some personal risk or to those whom died while attempting to save life. In very exceptional cases, the Medal is presented with crossed bronze palms, to Scouts, Venturers and Scouters whom risked their life at a great personal risk. Holders of the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms place the Palms in the center of the Honor Medal square knot informally. Very Rare.

Worn by: Male and Female Scouters, youth members

The James West Fellowship Award is presented through a local Council to any individual that gives $1000 or more to the local Council's West Fellowship Fund (local Councils have differing names for this special pool) on behalf of him/herself, or another individual to be honored or recognized through membership within the West Fellowship.  The money goes to support critical local Council and national programs which have suffered major losses due to diversion of funding for national-level resolutions of risk-management issues. Only registered Scouters or youth members receive and wear the square knot; all contributors receive special invitations to local Council and national West Fellowship Dinners, special publications, and a certificate in addition to some local Council plaques and other items.

(the following additional information was provided by Robert Rescott):

The BSA endowment recognition program also includes these two awards: The 1910 Society, for current gifts of $25,000 or more; and the Founders Circle Award, for deferred gifts with a minimum value of $100,000.

The James E. West Fellowship Award embroidered square-knot insignia (shown at left) is worn above the uniform left shirt pocket, indicating a Scouter is a James E. West fellow. Membership in the other two endowment programs is indicated by wearing a device on the same knot: the 1910 Society (BSA Supply No. 19118) or the Founders Circle (Supply No. 00929). Robert Rescott was very kind in providing these scans of the two devices shown at the left along with the certificate. Thanks!!. Rare.