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What's New!

The 2021 Silver Beaver Nomination Form is available!

The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America acting through the National Court of Honor. It is presented upon action of the Council Executive Board upon recommendation of the Silver Beaver Selection Committee. This award is for distinguished service to youth by a registered Scouter residing within the Council. Candidates for this award must be nominated. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Silver Beaver Award Nomination Requirements

  • Candidates for the award shall be registered volunteer Scouters within council territory.
  • They must be at least 21 years of age.
  • They must have rendered “noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth.”
  • Nominations will not be considered for current or former professional Scouters within 5 years of their leaving employment with the BSA. Other Council employees are eligible based on their volunteer service, not employed service.
  • Nominations cannot be considered for posthumous awards.

Instructions

  • To avoid possible disappointment, the application should not be shared or discussed with the nominee. Also, people from whom you request information should keep the nomination confidential.
  • You must use the 2020 form
  • Complete the nomination form in as much detail as possible. The District Executive or Council Registrar can help provide “in-council” scouting award, recognition, training, and tenure information in support of the application.

NOTE:  Criteria used for consideration include:  service to units, district/council, special service to youth, service to community, and service to faith based organizations.  Please do the needed research to enhance your nominee’s chances to be selected.

  • In Section 4, be sure details to support “noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth” are provided and that the importance and effectiveness of the service performed is clear. It is recognized that the nature and value of noteworthy service to youth might take the form of a single action which contributed to the lives of large numbers of youth or that the service might be given to a small group over an extended period of time.
  • Up to three letters or endorsements in support of the nomination are allowed if submitted with the nominating packet. These should focus on service rendered, length of service, leadership positions held, and serve to clarify the impact that the service has had to youth, church, civic, or professional organizations.
  • Please save a copy of your nomination to use in future years should your nominee not be chosen. Nominations must be submitted annually and are not carried over by the committee.

Nominations are due no later than 5 p.m. March 1, 2022 at the Three Fires Council Office.

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Launch of the Citizenship in Society merit badge!

On November 1, 2021, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), announced the launch of the Citizenship in Society merit badge, its newest merit badge for youth in the Scouts BSA program (ages 11-17). The new merit badge encourages Scouts to explore important topics around diversity, equity, inclusion and ethical leadership and learn why these qualities are important in society and in Scouting. Beginning July 1, 2022, the Citizenship in Society merit badge will be required for any youth seeking to achieve the Eagle Scout rank. Additional details will be provided by the National Youth Program team in coming weeks.

The requirements (https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/) are aligned with the Scout Oath and Law and focus on learning about diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical leadership and how the Scout will apply this new knowledge to their life as a Scout and good citizen in society.

Three Fires Council Roll-Out Plan

Phase 1: A group of qualified Merit Badge Counselors for Citizenship in Society will be identified and approved by the District Advancement Committees in the coming weeks. Merit badge counselors will be available to work with Scouts starting in mid-December.

  • Counselors will be identified and approved by the council based on their ability to be a skilled listener, facilitator, and discussion leader.
  • Initially there will be about 20 approved counselors (a mix of men and women) located throughout the council.
  • Counselors will work with Scouts from all units.
  • This group of counselors will have council training to be prepared to work with interested Scouts in December 2021.
  • Do not submit a request to become a merit badge counselor until Phase 2 is implemented (see below).
  • This badge includes some advanced and complex topics, so we recommend Scoutmasters, counselors, and parents weigh-in on a Scout’s readiness for participation.
  • Scouts are not to work on the merit badge prior to meeting with a counselor. Requirement 1 is ‘before beginning work on other requirements for this merit badge research the following terms, and then explain to your merit badge counselor how you feel they relate to the Scout Oath and Law…..’

Phase 2: As experience is learned we will add additional counselors. The process for applying to become a Citizenship in Society merit badge counselor is being developed.

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