Varsity
Varsity Guide
Varsity Awards

Advancement, Awards and Recognition

    Awards and recognition in the Varsity Scouting program and in the Aaronic Priesthood can help to foster in our young men a desire to honor the priesthood and improve their talents and abilities.  The purpose of recognition is to acknowledge self-motivated service or accomplishment.  Each adult leader should search out opportunities to acknowledge and recognize such service or accomplishments.  The setting of goals by a young man and his progress toward these goals should be one of the subjects discussed during the Bishopric interviews with each Teachers Quorum member every six months and in quarterly Coach's Conferences with each young man.  In addition, the Team Advancement Program Manager and Program Supervisor are responsible to promote recognition and achievement among Team members. 

    The following awards are available to or may be worked on by those in Aaronic Priesthood Varsity Scout Teams: 
 

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On My Honor Award. 

This is the Church's religious award for young men enrolled in scouting programs.  It requires two full years of scouting registration and participation, achievement of the rank of Star, and worthiness established by a Bishop's interview.  Young men may receive the On My Honor award as early as age 13.   They must complete requirements before they are 19. 
 

Duty to God Award. 

This is an Aaronic Priesthood award showing a high level of faithfulness throughout a young man's Aaronic Priesthood career.  Young men must meet the following requirements for each of four full years as an Aaronic Priesthood holder, including one full year as a priest: 

a) 

Keep Gospel commandments, as established by a yearly Bishop's interview

b) 

Attend 75% of sacrament meetings, priesthood meetings, Sunday School, youth activity night, and seminary each year

c) 

Participate in three service projects each year

d) 

Give a sacrament meeting talk yearly

 Young men may receive the Duty to God award as early as age 17.  They must complete requirements before they are 19.  Converts to the Church are allowed some leeway on the required number of years. 
 

Eagle Award (also merit badges, and other scouting rank awards). 

The process of developing skills and strength of character while earning the Eagle award is excellent preparation for missionary service and other adult life challenges.  Bishopric members and Quorum advisor/team coaches should encourage Quorum/Team members to achieve the Eagle award, and assist and support them in achieving this goal.  For scouting rank advancement, the Team Coach functions much in the same role as Scoutmaster for the regular scout program.  Many young men finish their Eagle requirements as Varsity Scouts, so Varsity Coaches must become knowledgeable about scouting advancement.   At the Varsity level, a more individualized approach is required for advancement than for younger scouts.  The Advancement Program Manager along with the Advancement Program Supervisor and the Team Coach meet with each Varsity Scout individually to prepare an Individual Advancement Plan (IAP--see Appendix for example).  The Advancement Manager follows up to encourage the other young men to follow their plans and also sits on Boards of Review for advancement with adult members of Team Committee. 
 

Varsity Scout Letter and Letter Bars. 

These Varsity Scout awards demonstrate active participation of a young man in the full Varsity program.  Letter requirements are: 

  • Advance a scouting rank or be an eagle scout
  • Hold a Varsity Scout leader position for 3 months
  • Participate at least one activity for each of the following fields of emphasis: high adventure, spiritual, citizenship, social/cultural, physical development, SP&E, service
  • Attend 75% of Team activities for 3 months
  • Satisfy the Team Captain that he is living by the scout oath
       (see Varsity Letter Tracking Form in the Appendix)

    Letter bars are achieved by repeating the Letter requirements.
 

Activity Pins.

These recognitions may be provided to all Varsity Scouts who participate in specific quarterly program features or other program theme activities.
 

Other Recognition.

All other BSA Scout awards or recognitions may be earned while a Varsity Scout, including Mile Swim, Fifty Miler Award, World Conservation Award, Order of the Arrow, etc.

  

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