The emblem of the International Spirit Award is worn as a temporary patch by both youth and adult leaders in the

Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded ...

. The award recognizes those who have broadened their knowledge of international Scouting and increased their appreciation and awareness of different cultures and countries. This award replaces the International Activity Patch (1991-2012).

Requirements

Requirements for the award vary for Scouters and Scouts of different ages. *

Cub Scout Cub Scouts, Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programs associated with Scouting for young children usually between 7 and 12, depending on the organization to which they belong. A participant in the program is called a Cub. A group of Cubs is called a 'P ...

s (boys and girls in Grades K - 5) must earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award, learn 10 words in a language different than their own, play two games that originated in another country or culture, participate in

Jamboree on the Air Jamboree on the Air, known by its acronym JOTA, is an international Scouting and Guiding activity held annually; it is on the third full weekend in October. First held in conjunction with the fiftieth anniversary of Scouting in 1957, it was devi ...

Jamboree on the Internet Jamboree on the Internet, known by its acronym JOTI, is an international Scouting activity held annually. Participants, through the use of designated Chats from all over the world, can contact their fellow Scouts by means of the Internet. Common ...

, organize a World Friendship Fund collection, and complete two of the ten experience requirements listed below. * Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers must earn the World Conservation Award, earn the Citizenship in the World merit badge or complete the "understanding other cultures" requirement of the TRUST award, participate in

and complete three of the ten experience requirements listed below. * Scouters must learn about the

World Organization of the Scout Movement The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM ) is the largest international Scouting organization. WOSM has 173 members. These members are recognized national Scout organizations, which collectively have around 43 million participants. WOSM ...

and explain it to their colleagues, promote at least two items from the most current newsletter from the International Department, help organize two

events, and complete four of the ten experience requirements listed below. * Experience requirements: (1) Host an international Scout, (2) prepare a dinner traditionally served in another country, (3) participate in an international Scout event, (4) take a trip to another country, (5) organize a Messengers of Peace project, (6) earn the Interpreter Strip, (7) present information about Scouting in another country to a group, (8) help your council’s international representative with at least two items, (9) research and present information on obtaining a U.S. passport, (10) present information about a region of the

to a group.

International Activity Patch

The International Activity Patch is a former award of the

for participation in an international event. Requirements were developed by each council. The award was a three-inch circular cloth patch worn on the right pocket of the official uniform as a temporary insignia. The emblem is the universal emblem of the BSA encircled by a rope tied in a square knot on a field of blue. The rope and knot are taken from the emblem of the

World Scout Emblem The World Scout Emblem is the emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and is worn by Scouts and Scouters around the world to indicate their membership. Each national Scout organization determines the manner in which the emblem is wo ...

, the symbol of the

. A five-inch "back patch" for wear on the back of the official jac-shirt and a neckerchief were also available.

Origins

The BSA used the

— called the World Crest in the U.S. —as an award for international activities from 1956 on. Policy was changed in 1991 and the World Crest can now be worn by all members as an emblem of worldwide Scouting. The International Activity Patch replaced the World Crest as an award. In 2012, the International Activity Patch was replaced by the International Spirit Award with specific requirements for each age level.

References

{{Scouting Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America