Scouting is full of opportunity. Many opportunities exist outside of the patch of advancement that Scouts and Scouters can take advantage of. Here are some of the additional opportunities that exist in Scouting.

Good Turn for America
Getting youth involved in direct community service is important. Good Turn for America is designed to help our communities with more Scouting service, to double our effort to instill the value of service in our youth, and to increase awareness of the Scouting program within our neighborhoods as we focus on three areas of common concern: relief from hunger, lack of housing, and a decline in fitness and health in America.

Good Turn for America builds on current unit service projects, as well as encouraging units to develop new projects to benefit their communities. Unit-level projects are usually performed for local agencies or in service of your chartering organization. The Boy Scouts of America challenges every unit to commit to furthering their efforts in providing service to their community, and education in the value of service to their youth.

The focus of the effort is a new National website called www.GoodTurnForAmerica.org  Every unit is assigned a unique Good Turn for America ID number with which to record information about service projects on the special web site set up for this purpose. 

Click here for the National:
Good Turn for America Log-In Page
Good Turn for America Info

The BSA Ready & Prepared Award
The The BSA Ready & Prepared Award was developed to encourage and reward Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews that incorporate safe practices while enjoying challenging activities. The award acknowledges the common sense and judgment, founded on knowledge and training, used to incorporate risk management into a unit's decision-making process. It recognizes that the more responsibility individual members take for their personal health and safety, the more everyone contributes to a successful activity. Earning the award helps units focus on areas in which emphasizing risk management can help reduce fatalities and serious injury, such as

• Driver and passenger safety
• BSA Youth Protection
• Precautions for aquatics activities
• Premises safety and first-aid readiness
• Personal fitness and safety

Emergency Preparedness BSA
Youth and adult members earn an Emergency Preparedness pin upon completion of program and age specific requirements. Requirements, applications and other information about the Emergency Preparedness BSA are available online.

    Learn more about the Emergency Preparedness BSA Award

William T. Hornaday Award for Distinguished Service in Conservation
Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot through Eagle Scout rank call for an increasing awareness and understanding of the natural sciences. Many former Scouts have become leaders in conserving our environment and protecting it from abuse. Right now Scouts are involved in learning about environmental problems and actively working to make a difference.

Learn about the William T. Hornaday Award

The Young American Award
First presented in 1968, the council-level award is given to college students through age 25 to highlight publicly the importance of their excellent achievements and service to their community, state and nation. The council-level Young American Award consists of a plaque to be awarded at an appropriate council ceremony. The council office typically extends the application process in September to appropriate council units and community youth-serving organizations, which then submit nominations on behalf of their young adult constituents. Recipients are not required to be a member or a participant of a local council unit or program.

Learn about the Young American Award

Lifesaving Awards
Recognition may be given to a member of the Boy Scouts of America—Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturer, or adult leader—where the evidence presented to the National Court of Honor, in accordance with prescribed regulations, shows that he or she saved or attempted to save life under circumstances that indicate heroism and risk of his or her own life. The court will give consideration to resourcefulness and to demonstrated skill in rescue methods.

Meritorious Action Awards
Recognition may be given to a youth member or adult leader where the evidence presented to the National Court of Honor, in accordance with prescribed regulations, shows that a significant or outstanding act of service of exceptional character was performed. The action taken need not involve attempts of rescue or risk to self but must put into practice Scouting skills and/or ideals. Recognition shall not be given where it appears that the action involved was merely in the performance of duty or the meeting of an obligation.

Learn more about the Lifesaving and Meritorious Action Awards

Hometown U.S.A. Award
The Hometown U.S.A. Award is a joint program between Keep America Beautiful Inc. (KAB) and the Boy Scouts of America. It is designed to give recognition to the outstanding efforts of Scouts in their communities in regard to citizenship and environmental improvement.

Learn more about the Hometown U.S.A. Award

Partners in Character
The Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and The Five Boy Scouts Council of Oklahoma present a joint award for Masonic Lodges as well as Packs, Troops, Crews, Teams, Post and Ships. Partners in Character  is designed bring the Boy Scouting program and Freemasonry closer together. Both programs are about Character Development.

The P.I.C. programs puts the Masonic Lodge and the Scout units in direct contact. It is a great opportunity for lodges to interact with young men and there parents. It's bound to start young men and their fathers asking questions about what Masons are and what they do. As well as bring the resources of the Local Masons to the Scout Units A young man who has a good experience interacting with Masons today stands an outstanding chance of becoming a Mason as an adult. Oklahoma Masons can be a great asset to the Scout unit.

Learn more about Partners in Character

Presidential Service Awards
The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is issued by the Presidents Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service, and civic participation.  The Award is given to individuals, families, and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period.

Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for their annual commitment to volunteer service.  In addition, individuals who complete 4,000 or more hours of volunteer service over the course of their lifetime will be recognized with the Presidential Call to Service Award.

Learn more about the Presidential Service Awards