Higher Awards

Jersey Shore Council Award Nominations

Annually awards are given out to volunteers for outstanding service on the unit, district, and council level. To nominate someone for an award please complete for the form on the Jersey Shore Council Website.  Unit, District, and Council award descriptions are below.

Unit and District Awards are presented at specific District Dinners in the November/ December timeframe. Council awards are presented at our annual Council Dinner at the end of January. Contact Rich Scraggs rich.scraggs.dc@gmail.com with any questions.

ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2025

Unit Level Awards

The Beacon Award (Northern Lights) / The Lighthouse Award (Southern Shore)

The Beacon Award and the Lighthouse Award is an award supplied by the appropriate district and presented by the unit to an outstanding volunteer within their unit that goes above and beyond the call of duty to benefit their scouts and program.  For this award each unit may designate one leader only to receive this award.  The nomination should be made by the unit’s committee with input from unit leaders (not just by the Committee Chair of the unit).   The award and certificate will be provided by the appropriate district and unit personal will present this award to the nominee at the district dinner.

To nominate someone from your unit, please fill out the form on the Jersey Council Website AND Email Gretchen Tunison at tunetoo@aol.com  Please provide your unit, presenter, and nominee in the email.  Any questions please contact Gretchen Tunison or Rich Scraggs.

District Level Awards

All district award nominations MUST be completed online.  The nominee should have contributed beyond their unit to the benefit of the district.

 

District Certificate of Appreciation: This award is for any registered scouter in the district who provides service to a unit and/or district beyond the normal duties of his/her registered position.

District Service Award: This award is for any registered scouter in the district who has provided continuous and noteworthy service to the district that enables the scouting program to be administered to the youth of the district. The nominee should actively participate in district programs and support the implementation of these programs.

District Award of Merit: This award is for a registered scouter who has rendered noteworthy service to youth. "Noteworthy service to youth" may consist of a single plan or decisions that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth, or it may have been given to small groups over an extended time. The nominee should contribute some type of service to youth outside of scouting as well. Consideration should be given to the nominee's position and corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the expectation of duty. The nominee's attitude toward and cooperation with the district and the council is to be taken into consideration.

Shining Star Award(Northern Lights Only):  The Shining Star award is given to those fairly new adult scouters in a scouting unit.  We are proud of their new ideas and dedication to their units and the district.

The Guiding Light Award(Northern Lights Only): A volunteer will begin a path in scouting, becoming a leader in a community of children who are searching for structure, hungry for knowledge, yearning for love and praying for spiritual guidance in their duty to God. A dedicated volunteer will always light a path in their scouting journey for whomever they encounter, whether it be in Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, or within a district or council capacity. Having a passion to make a difference in a young person’s life, a certain volunteer will strive for more. They are wanting to do more for the betterment of scouting. A devoted volunteer will, at times, take on many positions, putting in many hours toward this passion, with the fulfillment and firm belief in the Scout Oath and Law.

The Unsung Hero (Northern Lights Only) This award recognizes scouters and supporters who have positively influenced our scouting programs or the Northern Lights District with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to excellence.

Council Level Awards

All Council award nominations MUST be completed online. Please note: Some Awards require an additional nomination form to be completed also which are available on the website.   The nominee should have contributed beyond their unit to the benefit of the Council.

 

R. Tait McKenzie Small Statuette

• Minimum of two years tenure in any scouting position
• Active participation on district, council or training activities or\ service to camp.
• Awarded at least the District Service Award
• Trained in a specific position (If applicable)

 

R. Tait McKenzie Large Statue

• Minimum of four years tenure in any scouting position
• Continuous service since receiving the Small Statuette
• Participate in council projects such as membership, finance, special events, etc. with continued service to youth.
• Trained in a specific position (If applicable)
• Encourage youth in religious programs and scouting ideals

 

Silver Beaver Award ***

This award is for a registered scouter who has rendered noteworthy service to youth at the council level. “Noteworthy service to youth” may consist of a single plan or decisions that contributed vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth, or it may have been given to small groups over an extended time. The nominee should contribute some type of service to youth outside of scouting as well. Consideration should be given to the nominee’s position and corresponding opportunity to render outstanding service beyond the section of duty. The nominee’s attitude toward and cooperation with the district and the council is to be taken into consideration.

*** Requires website nomination and additional nomination form to be completed

Harold T. Walsh Memorial Award

The nominee must have five years of continued significant service to youth since receiving the Silver Beaver Award.

Outstanding Eagle Scout Award ***

All NOESA recipients must be Eagle Scouts in good standing with the Boy Scouts of America and must either be registered with or have their primary residence within the boundaries of the nominating council. No length of time is required to have passed since earning the rank. Examples of possible recipients include:
• Local heroes and celebrities at the peak of their notoriety whose achievements outside of Scouting have touched and inspired others;
• Philanthropists, public servants, educators, or business owners who have made a positive, long-term impact as cornerstones of the community;
• Individuals who have attained prominence at the state or regional level in their profession or avocation—an avocation being any activity including, but not limited to, athletics, hobbies, collecting, outdoor adventure, and record-setting activities.
• Each recipient’s actions and accomplishments should elevate the stature of Eagle Scouts in the public eye, and each recipient shall be held to the standards set forth in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and national BSA standards for membership.

*** Requires website nomination and additional nomination form to be completed

 

Alumnus of the Year Award ***

The Boy Scouts of America Council Alumnus of the Year Award is the Scouting Alumni Association’s highest council recognition. The award was established to recognize alumni of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) who, over a sustained period of time, have used the skills and values they learned through their association with Scouting to make significant and long-lasting contributions to their local communities through their careers, avocations, and Scouting.
A BSA alumnus includes anyone positively and personally impacted by the BSA—former Scouts, family members of Scouts past and present, community leaders, and the millions of Americans who benefit from Scouting in their communities every day.

*** Requires website nomination and additional nomination form to be completed