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All Service Centers Closed: 12/24-26 & 1/1-2

Munster Scout Shop Closed: 12/22-1/4, reopening Mon 1/5

La Grange & Arlington Heights Scout Shops Closed: 12/24-25 & 1/1

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Awards & Nominations

Welcome to our Council’s awards hub, where recognition meets achievement! Here, we celebrate the dedication, skill, and passion exhibited by our Scouts and leaders across their endeavors. This page showcases several awards that honor exceptional contributions, leadership, and service. Join us in acknowledging the remarkable efforts and commitment that define the heart of Scouting excellence.

Venturing Leadership Award

In order to recognize Venturers and Venturing Advisors who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law, councils, territories, and the BSA National Council may present individuals with the Venturing Leadership Award.
 
The Pathway to Adventure Council Venturing Leadership Awards are selected by a task force of youth and adults assembled by the PTAC Awards and Recognition Committee.
 
Qualifications
-Be registered and involved as a Venturer or Venturing advisor for at least one year
-Hold a leadership position or an office at the unit, district, or council level
-Show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and service to Venturing and to Venturers
 

Nominations will be presented at the Council Recognition Dinner for Adults and Youth Recognition Dinner for Youth.

Nominations are due November 24, 2025

Fill out this form.

Best Practices & SOPs

-Attach letters of recommendation from Venturers, Scouters, acquaintances, teachers, places of worship, etc.

-Youth nominations may be submitted for up to one year past the youth’s 21st birthday.

Submit Forms To: PTAC.Advancement@gmail.com

Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year

The National Eagle Scout Association established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award (ESSPY) to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.

Examples of projects that have been selected for the ESSPY include projects that have benefited underprivileged children, recognized veterans, been international in nature, and have required significant time and resources. The selection of recipients begins at the local level and is conducted through the PTAC NESA committee. Anyone can submit the nomination including the Eagle Scout themselves.

Nominations will be presented at the Youth Recognition Dinner

Nominations are due January 31, 2026

Fill out this form

– Include a PDF copy of your Eagle Project Workbook and up to 10 photos of the project. Scouts are encouraged to include a 3-5 min video about their project and its impact on their community and themselves.

Submit forms to ptac.nesa@gmail.com

Questions? Contact: Sean Gertsch at srg1985@gmail.com

NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award

The NOESA recognizes those Eagle Scouts who have inspired others through their actions and have devoted a lifetime to their profession, avocation, community, and beliefs at great sacrifice to themselves and their families. The award recognizes notable Eagle Scouts who have either performed distinguished service at the local, state, or regional level or who were known nationally for their professional and scouting achievements.

Nominations will be presented at the Youth Recognition Dinner

Nominations are due by November 24, 2025

Fill out this form

Submit Forms To: ptac.nesa@gmail.com

Questions? Contact: Sean Gertsch at srg1985@gmail.com

Council Alumnus of the Year

Nominations are open for the Council Alumnus of the Year Award. The award recognizes an individual who reminds Scouting alumni to maintain a lifetime relationship with Scouting, who enable Scouting to remain healthy for future generations. In addition, potential recipients of the award may be nominated based on the three following categories:

– Career and/or avocation, such as achieving high honor or distinction in their chosen profession.

– Community service, including contributions to Scouting or other community efforts or organizations.

– Scouting promotion, contributing significantly to the promotion, and/or advancement of the BSA alumni program and activities at a council level over a sustained period of time through word and/or deed.

Nominations will be presented at the Council Recognition Dinner

Nominations are due by November 24, 2025

– Fill out the form linked below

– Submit Forms To: ptac.nesa@gmail.com

Silver Beaver

Do you know a Scouter who has distinguished themselves in Scouting and their community? If so, we want you to nominate them for the Silver Beaver! This is the highest award a Scout Council can bestow upon a volunteer Scouter. 

The Silver Beaver Award is presented by the National Council, Scouting America, through the local Council to adult volunteer Scouters for their distinguished service to youth and their community. The Award is intended to acknowledge noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered Scouters including but not limited to Cub Scouters, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring leaders within the territory under the jurisdiction of Pathway to Adventure. 

Nominations will be presented at the Council Recognition Dinner

Nominations are due by November 24, 2025

– Fill out the form linked below

Submit Forms To: wesley.weems@scouting.org

Questions? Contact:
Spencer Long, Silver Beaver Chairman at spencer.long@gmail.com, or Wes Weems, Silver Beaver Staff Advisor at wesley.weems@scouting.org

Torch of Gold Award

Nominations are open for the Torch of Gold Award. This award recognizes adults for exceptional service and leadership working with Scouts who have disabilities.

Qualifications
-Be currently registered with the Scouting America.
-Have a least three years of service in any Scouting leadership capacity related to Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers and/or Sea Scouts with disabilities, including educating other Scouters about disabilities and working with youth who have disabilities.
-Have completed all activities related to Scouts with disabilities on a strictly volunteer basis.

Nominations will be presented at the Council Recognition Dinner

Nominations are due by November 24, 2025

– Fill out the form linked below

– Submit Forms To: ptac.nesa@gmail.com

Special Needs Scouting Service Award

Nominations are now open for the Special Needs Scouting Service Award! This award recognizes registered adult leaders or Scouting professionals who have taken direct action on behalf of Scouts with special needs while promoting inclusiveness, diversity, and disability awareness in Scouting.

Nominations will be presented at the Council Recognition Dinner

Nominations are due by November 24, 2025

– Fill out the form linked below

Submit Forms To: ptac.advancement@gmail.com