How to earn Scouting’s International Spirit Award

International-Spirit-Award-BSAAll Scouts and Scouters wear the World Crest, that purple circle symbolizing their membership in the world movement of Scouting. But that patch is just the beginning of your introduction to international Scouting. With the world Scout jamboree coming to the Summit Bechtel Reserve in 2019, the time is right to start working toward the International Spirit Award.

WHO CAN EARN THE AWARD? Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers and adult leaders. Requirements vary by group.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS? At each level, a Scout or Scouter must complete several core requirements, as well as several of 10 experience requirements. The core requirements generally focus on knowledge; the experience requirements generally focus on activity.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF CORE REQUIREMENTS? Cub Scouts must learn 10 words in a foreign language and play two games from another culture. Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts must earn the Citizenship in the World merit badge and the World Conservation Award. Adult leaders must learn about the World Organization of the Scout Movement and read the most recent International Department newsletter. At each level, an applicant must organize a World Friendship Fund collection at a unit meeting or district roundtable and participate in Jamboree-on-the-Air or Jamboree-on-the-Internet, sister activities that occur each October.

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS? These include hosting an international Scout or unit, participating in an international Scouting event like the world Scout jamboree, earning the Interpreter strip, learning how to obtain a U.S. passport, and visiting another country with your family or Scout unit.

IS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REQUIRED? No.

IS THERE A TIME LIMIT? All requirements must be completed within five years of starting work.

WHAT ARE THE RECOGNITION ITEMS? The International Spirit Award emblem ($4) is a temporary patch worn centered on the right uniform pocket. It does not replace the World Crest.

WHO SIGNS OFF? For youth members, the unit leader approves the application. For adult leaders, the council’s international representative signs off. Completed applications should be mailed, with payment, to the International Department, S340, Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015.

HOW DOES THIS AWARD RELATE TO THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY EMBLEM AND THE YOUTH EXCHANGE EMBLEM? This award replaces those emblems.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SCOUTER’S AWARD? That award, which is represented by a knot worn on the adult uniform shirt, is still available. It encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in world Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? Visit this site.


6 Comments

    • While the design doesn’t necessarily violate the letter of the Flag Code, it is perhaps not in keeping with the spirit. Robert is right: this patch should be redesigned.

    • A unit is considered a Cub Scout pack, Scouts BSA troop or a Venturing crew so it would need to be to the whole pack in that case.

  1. If a cub starts to work on this award as an AOL, but doesn’t have time to finish, can they use some of their prior experiences and complete the rest once in the troop? I have several AOLs who have been working on their world friendship fun collection as one of their other requirements, but are close to crossing over. Would they need to hold another display and collection drive once in the troop?

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