
International Scouting
International Recognition		Other Links & Events

On behalf of the International Commissioner and Chief Scout Executive, the International Division of the Boy Scouts of America maintains communications with the World Organization of the Scout Movement and other national Scouting organizations to help provide international and American Scouts a broad Scouting experience.

The Ore-Ida Council's International Representative is Carter Wilson who may be reached at (208) 853-8739 for any assistance dealing with international Scouting, including travel of troops and/or individual Scouts or Scouters. His duties for the council include advising unit leaders who are planning international activities.

International Recognition

The World Crest: An emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Crest may be worn by all registered youth members and adult leaders as a symbol of their membership in a worldwide Scouting brotherhood. A small amount from the sale of each emblem is sent to the World Scout Foundation to help extend Scouting in developing nations throughout the world. This adds an opportunity for each Scout to personally share indirectly in the activities of brother Scouts in other lands.

Over the years, each member national Scout organization has made use of the badge in a different manner. In 1988 the World Organization of the Scout Movement requested that every national Scout association authorize this emblem to be worn by all members to signify membership in a worldwide movement.

The emblem is worn as a permanent patch centered horizontally over the left pocket and vertically between the left shoulder seam and the top of the pocket.

International Activity Patch

The International Activity Patch is a three-inch diameter, multi-colored patch to be worn as a temporary patch, centered on the right pocket of the uniform to recognize international participation in unit, council, and world scouting activities. Specific requirements are developed by the local council or its districts with council approval. The Ore-Ida Council requirements are:

Cub Scouts,* Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts, and Explorers
Youth or adult members must actively participate one of the following. The intent of the council international committee is that Scouts should learn about other cultures through active participation with international Scouts, or learning about Scouting in other nations. Unit Committees determine eligibility for the award, and the International Activity Patch (no. 0144) may be purchased from the Scout Shop as soon as the unit approves the application. The Council will authorize other activities on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Council International Representative.

Help plan and participate in a Scouting activity outside of the United States.
Participate with your unit in hosting a group of Scouts or Scouters from another country; or as an individual, host a Scout or Scouter from another country during their stay in the United States..
Participate in a camporee or other event in which Scouts of other nations are involved and where you have actively interacted with them.
Serve as a counselor in the European Camp Staff program.
*Cub Scouts only: Dens or Packs may participate in the Pen Pal Program by mail, email, or teleconferencing and individual scouts should tell or demonstrate what they learned about Scouting in other nations at a Pack Meeting; or each den may participate in an international theme program at a Pack Meeting with dens assigned a specific part of the theme, i.e., food, culture, scouting program, language, activities (games, songs), etc. This may be accomplished through demonstrations, displays, presentations, or in a manner approved by the Pack Committee.

Download the Application

Interpreter Strip

A Scout wearing the interpreter strip must be able to carry on a conversation in a foreign language or in sign language, write a letter in the foreign language (not required for signing), and translate orally and in writing from one language to another.

Silver World Award: The BSA may present the Silver World Award for distinguished service to youth on an international basis, to individuals who are or are not members of associations of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The award is in recognition of service of exceptional character to the youth of one country, or on an international basis.

United States citizens may be considered for the Silver World Award only if they are not registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. Nominations should be submitted to the International Division for consideration of a special selection committee.

World Conservation Award

Boy Scouts (right) are eligible to receive the World Conservation Award after completing the requirements for the following merit badges: Environmental Science, Citizenship in the World, and either Soil and Water Conservation or Fish and Wildlife Management.

The Cub Scout (left) version of the World Conservation Award can be earned by Wolf or Bear Cub Scouts, as well as Webelos Scouts. However, it can only be earned one time while in Cub Scouting. Check your Cub Scout Manual for requirements.

The Citizenship in the World merit badge requires Scouts to learn about global issues and international organizations, as well as take part in an international event. The official requirements can be found in Boy Scout Requirements, No. 33215, or in the Citizenship in the World merit badge pamphlet, No. 33260.

International Scouter's Award

The International Scouter's Award encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in world Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting. Requirements are listed below.

The newest International award available to currently registered adult Scouters of the Boy Scouts of America. Contact Carter Wilson at (208) 853-8739 for more information or download an application.

All applicants must receive the approval of their local council's international committee chairperson or international representative and their council Scout executive.

Complete any six of the following, from at least three of the following categories:

Giving leadership to international Scouting:
1. Serve as council international representative, council international committee member, or BSA International Committee member for a minimum of three consecutive years.
2. Serve as a registered adult leader with a Direct Service Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, or Venturing crew.
3. Serve at least one year in any international Scouting position approved by the BSA International Division.
Giving leadership to international events held in the United States:
1. Host Scouts/Scouters (minimum of three visitors per group) from another country as part of an official national, council, district, or unit activity.
2. Serve on the international staff at a national Scout jamboree.
3. Assist in the organization of your council's participation in the International Camp Staff program. Be responsible for bringing a foreign Scout on staff to the council's summer camp program for two summer camp seasons.
Giving leadership to international events held in other countries:
1. Serve as an adult leader in a BSA contingent to a world Scout jamboree or Pan-American Scout jamboree.
2. Serve as an adult leader for a group of BSA Scouts participating in an event held by a foreign Scout association recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The activity may be an exchange program, camp experience, tour activity, or home hospitality function.
3. Serve on the international service staff of a world Scout jamboree.
Educating self and others:
1. Attend an international Scout conference at the Philmont Training Center. Share what you have learned with others in your council.
2. Promote international Scouting at a district, council, regional, or national event.
3. Participate in organizing or providing leadership for a BSA Scout activity in another country that involves interaction with Scouts from that country, such as an exchange program, camping experience, or tour activity.
Giving support to international Scouting:
1. Organize a collection for the World Friendship Fund at two district and/or council events.
2. Become or recruit a member of the Order of the Condor for the Interamerican Scout Foundation.
3. Become or recruit a Baden-Powell Fellow for the World Scout Foundation.

International Scouting