National Council Criteria in Judging

Youth Applications—Bronze and Silver Medals

Merit Badge/Venturing Requirements

• If a Boy Scout/Varsity Scout, has the applicant earned the merit badges required for a
• bronze medal?
• silver medal?
• If a Venturer, has the applicant completed the ecology and plant and wildlife requirements for the Venturing Ranger Award?

Projects

• Has the applicant completed substantial conservation projects in different categories? (Four projects are required of silver medal applicants; three are required of bronze medal applicants.)
• Was the time spent on each project indicated?
• Were the projects innovative?
• Does the applicant indicate the origin of project ideas?

Project Documentation

• Was each project described in detail, including illustrations and/or photographs of the work done?
• Did the applicant meet the expectations for project documentation? Include reasons for choosing each project, preparation, research, consulting others, design, planning, and approvals from land managers for each project.
• Were newspaper articles, letters of thanks or commendation, and other supporting materials included in one well-organized binder?

Planning

• Do the plans demonstrate excellence?
• Did these projects result in a positive impact on the local community?

Leadership and Involvement of Others

• Did the applicant give leadership and involve others in carrying out the projects?
• Did the applicant receive guidance from other organizations and professionals?
• Did the applicant help others learn about natural resource conservation?

Adult Scouter Nominations—Gold Medal

• Was the candidate nominated by a recognized conservation or environmental organization?
• Did the letter of nomination received by the director of Conservation include an explanation of accomplishments?
• Were the accomplishments cited part of the nominee's paid professional responsibilities?
• Has the nominee influenced youth and educational programs emphasizing sound stewardship of our nation's natural resources and environmental improvement?
• Has the nominee rendered distinguished and unusual service to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement over a sustained period (at least 20 years)?
• Were the cited accomplishments at the regional, national, or international level?

Organization Nominations—Gold Certificate

• Is the organization unaffiliated with Scouting?
• Was the organization nominated by a recognized conservation or environmental organization?
• Has a letter of nomination been received by the Chief Scout Executive or director of Conservation?
• Were letters of endorsement received by the Chief Scout Executive or director of Conservation?
• Has a supporting letter indicating the organization's contribution to youth conservation/environmental education been received by the Chief Scout Executive or director of Conservation?
• Has the nominee demonstrated leadership and a commitment to youth on a national or international level, reflecting the mission of the Hornaday Awards program to encourage learning about natural resource conservation and the environment?

The Boy Scouts of America

http://www.bsa.scouting.org