Scouting Awards
Awards are a wonderful way to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our members and employees and to say thank you for their contribution to Scouting.
Should you wish to nominate someone for an award, then please visit the Awards Page on the official Scouts South Africa website for the guidelines and application forms.
If you have you ever wondered what Scouting Awards exist or seen a medal or cloth emblem and not known what it represents, then listed below are all the Awards and their associated Medal and / or Emblem.
Adult Service Awards
Service Awards are made to all Adult Members and Employees on the completion of the relevant period of Adult service. Service in Operational positions, (i.e. warranted positions), in Administrative positions (i.e. appointed positions) in the Scout Movement and Adult service with the Guide Association are recognised as qualifying service.
Youth service as a Cub, Scout, Brownie, Guide or Ranger Guide are not recognised as qualifying service for the purpose of this Award.
5 and 10 Year Long Service Badge
The Long Service badge is awarded on completion of 5 or 10 years adult service to the Movement. The award is a cloth Protea badge depicting the numeric years' service completed. This is accompanied by a Certificate signed by the Regional Commissioner.
Long Service Medal
The Long Service Medal is awarded after 15 years total Adult service and is accompanied by a Certificate signed by the Regional Commissioner. This replaces the 5 or 10 year badge.
- Ribbon: Yellow, red, yellow border with green centre.
- Cloth emblem: A figure-of-eight knot in green with yellow, red and yellow ends.
Bars to the Long Service Medal
Bars to the Long Service medal are awarded on completion of 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, 50 years, 60 years and 70 years qualifying service. They are accompanied by a Certificate signed by the Regional Commissioner.
Commendations
Regional Commissioner's Commendation
Awarded to Members for special short term interventions or acts of service to the Movement, the public or a community at Unit, Group, District or Regional level. The Commendation is a Certificate and personal letter from the Regional Commissioner commending the recipient(s) for the services rendered.
The commendation is made at the sole discretion of the Regional Commissioner.
Chief Scout's Commendation
Awarded to Members for outstanding services rendered to the Movement, the public or a community where the service is of National or exceptional significance.
The Commendation is a Certificate, signed by the Chief Scout and a personal letter from the Chief Scout commending the recipient for services rendered.
The commendation is made at the sole discretion of the Chief Scout.
Meritorious Service
Certificate of Merit
Awarded to Adult Members and Employees, normally with at least 5 years' Adult service, for above-average performance in their Warranted or Appointed position.
The Award is a Certificate, signed by the Chief Commissioner, and a cloth emblem which consists of a figure-of-eight knot in white with green ends.
Medal of Merit
Awarded to Adult Members and Employees, normally with at least 8 years' service for above average performance and meritorious service performed at Group, District or Regional Level.
The Medal is attached to a dark green ribbon and accompanied by a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout. The cloth emblem consists of a figure-of-eight knot in green.
On the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner or Regional Commissioner, the spouse /partner of a recipient of the Medal of Merit may be presented with a broach and citation recognising the support they have given to their partner.
Bar to the Medal of Merit
Awarded for further above average and meritorious services, in addition to those considered for the Medal of Merit. The award is a bronze fleur-de-lis worn on the medal ribbon and accompanied by a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout.
Exceptional and Distinguished Service
Order of the Silver Protea
(Previously Order of the Silver Acorn - 1933 to 1959)
(Previously Pathfinder Order of the Silver Lion 1930's)
Awarded by Scouts South Africa for distinguished service.
The order comprises a silver medal in the form of a protea surrounded by a wreath on a yellow ribbon. It is accompanied by a citation and a certificate signed by the Chief Scout. The cloth emblem consists of a figure-of-eight knot in yellow. A miniature lapel badge may be worn by administrative members or employees.
On the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner or Regional Commissioner, the spouse / partner of a recipient of the Order of the Silver Protea may be presented with a broach and citation recognising the support they have given to their partner.
Bar to the Order of the Silver Protea
Awarded to members and employees for further and continued distinguished service, beyond that considered for the Order of the Silver Protea.
The order comprises a bronze fleur-de-lis pinned to the cloth emblem and on the ribbon. It is accompanied by a citation and a certificate signed by the Chief Scout.
Order of the Silver Springbok
(Previously Order of the Silver Wolf - 1911 to 1959)
Awarded to Members of exceptional character for especially distinguished service of the highest order.
The Order comprises a silver springbok medallion and is on a green ribbon. It is accompanied by a Citation and a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout. The cloth emblem consisting of a figure-of-eight knot, in green and yellow. A miniature lapel badge may be worn by administrative members or employees.
This Order is also awarded to the Chief Scout upon their appointment to that position. On the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner or Regional Commissioner, the spouse / partner of a recipient of the Order of the Silver Springbok may be presented with a broach and citation recognising the support they have given to their partner.
The Bronze Wolf
The Bronze Wolf is the only award made by the World Scout Committee. It is given solely in recognition of outstanding service by an individual to the World Scout Movement. It has been awarded to six South Africans: Arthur Johnstone, Vic Clapham, Carveth Geach, Garnet de la Hunt, Colin Inglis and Winston Adams.
Order of the African Elephant
This is the highest award that the Africa Region can bestow. It has been awarded to five South Africans: Winston Adams, Vic Clapham, Nelson Mandela, Nkwenkwe Nkomo and Milly Siebrits.
Meritorious Conduct
Certificate for Meritorious Conduct
Awarded to members and employees for extended periods of meritorious conduct and devotion to duty requiring significant or a high degree of courage, endurance, or initiative, often under suffering, without involving personal risk.
The cloth emblem consisting of a figure-of-eight knot, in white with blue ends.
Medal for Meritorious Conduct
Awarded to members and employees for meritorious conduct of an exceptional high standard.
The Medal is attached to a red ribbon and accompanied by a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout.
The cloth emblem consisting of a figure-of-eight knot, in green and red.
Bar to the Medal for Meritorious Conduct
Awarded to members and employees for further meritorious conduct of exceptional high standard.
The Order comprises a bronze fleur-de-lis pinned to the cloth emblem and on the ribbon. It is accompanied by a Citation and a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout.
Gallantry
Cornwell Scout Awards
Awarded to Youth Members
Cornwell Scout Certificate
Awarded to Scouts who have shown an above average devotion to duty, with courage and endurance
Cornwell Scout Badge
Awarded to Scouts who are of an exceptional character and who show devotion to duty, great courage and endurance or gallantry.
Certificate for Gallantry
Awarded for gallantry with limited personal risk. The Award comprises a Citation and a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout.
The cloth emblem consists of a figure-of-eight knot in white with red ends.
Bronze Cross
Awarded for gallantry with moderate risk. The Award comprises a Bronze Cross with Red Ribbon. It is accompanied by a Citation and a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout and a cloth emblem consisting of a figure-of-eight knot in red.
Silver Cross
Awarded for gallantry with significant risk. The Award comprises a Silver Cross with Blue Ribbon. It is accompanied by a Citation and a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout and a cloth emblem consisting of a figure-of-eight knot in blue.
Gilt Cross
The highest possible award for gallantry, with very significant perseverance, endurance and heroism with very significant personal risk. The Award comprises a Gilt Cross with Blue & Red vertical striped ribbon. It is accompanied by a Citation and a Certificate signed by the Chief Scout and a cloth emblem consisting of a figure-of-eight knot in blue & red.
Other Awards
Thanks Badge
The Thanks Badge may be proposed by any Member to any person (who is not an active Member) or organisation who gives significant support to Scouting.
This Award should be ratified by the Regional Commissioner who will issue a signed certificate to accompany the Thanks Badge.
Cub, Scout, Rover and Other Awards
Star Awards
The Star Awards is a Unit management and self-evaluation system which is also used to recognise Units who are meeting the Aims of SCOUTS South Africa. Star Awards are available to participating Dens, Packs, Troops and Patrols, Crews, and Groups.
Gold Star
The Gold Star is the highest award a South African Meerkat can attain today.
Leaping Wolf
The Leaping Wolf is the highest award a South African Cub can attain today. The Cub works towards this badge during the final year before leaving the Pack at the age of eleven.
Springbok Scout Award
The Springbok Scout Badge is the highest award a South African Scout can attain today. The bar is worn by Adult Scouters who have attained the Springbok Award.
See a list of National Recipients
BP Rover Award
The highest Rover Award, to a Rover setting an example of the Scout way of life, carrying out the Rover Motto of 'Service' and holding 4 of 8 Rover Proficiency Awards.
Previously the award was an epaulette worn on the left shoulder of the recipient. The current award is a red and gold badge worn on the left sleeve of the recipient. The BP bar is worn by Scouters who have earned this award as a Rover.
See BP Rover Award for more details, and for a list of recipients.
Wood Badge
The Wood Badge is the highest achievement award to Scouters, registered Rovers and persons holding designated or Honorary Rank who complete respective courses of training. Wood Badge holders are seen as Scouting's elite group of Scouters.
The Badge consists of two copies of the wooden beads from a necklace originally belonging to King Dinizulu. One extra bead is worn by Assistant Adult Leader Trainers and two extra by Leader Trainers. The beads are worn on a leather bootlace around the neck of the holder in uniform. It carries with it life membership of the 1st Gilwell Group in England, the right to wear the 'Gilwell Grey' scarf with a patch of the Maclaren tartan on the point and the special leather Wood Badge Woggle.