Unit Awards

These awards are granted to an entire unit (den or pack) rather than to an individual adult or youth member. Pursuing these recognitions can be a great way to practice teamwork and foster a sense of unity.

National Den Award

The National Den Award recognizes dens that conduct a quality, year-round program. Service projects, Cub Scout Academics and Sports, field trips, character development, and Cub Scout camping are areas that are emphasized. Dens earn the award as a team, not as individual den members. The recognition is a ribbon for the den flag or den doodle.

To earn the National Den Award, a Cub Scout den must

Have at least 50 percent of the den's Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, or Webelos Scouts attend two den meetings and one pack meeting or activity each month of the year.
Complete six of the following during the year:
1. Use the denner system within the den.
2. In a Tiger Cub den, use shared leadership and rotate the boy/adult host team.
3. Have 50 percent of the den go on three field trips per year. A field trip may be used in place of a den meeting.
4. As a den, attend a Cub Scout day camp, Cub Scout or Webelos Scout resident camp, or a council family camping event with at least 50 percent of the den membership.
5. Conduct three den projects or activities leading to a Character Connections discussion.
6. As a den, participate in at least one of the Cub Scout Sports programs.
7. As a den, participate in at least one of the Cub Scout Academics programs.
8. Have 50 percent of the den participate in a den conservation/resource project.
9. Have 50 percent of the den participate in at least one den service project.

Once the requirements are completed as stated, the signed National Den Award application is sent to the local council service center where the ribbon can be obtained.

An application for the National Den Award may be downloaded from the Cub Scout forms page.

National Summertime Pack Award

A pack can qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award certificate and streamer by planning and conducting three pack activities—one each in June, July, and August. This award can be an incentive for greater attendance at your summer pack activities.

Qualifying packs receive a colorful streamer for their pack flag. Dens with an average attendance of at least half their members at the three summer pack events will be eligible for a colorful den participation ribbon. Boys who participate in all three pack events are eligible to receive the National Summertime Pack Award pin, which they can wear on the right pocket flap of their uniform.

The purpose of the National Summertime Pack Award is to encourage packs to provide a year-round program by continuing to meet during the time periods when school is out of session for several weeks or months. If a pack is in a "year-round school" (or is part of a home-school association), the pack could earn the Summertime Pack Award by having a special pack activity during those breaks.

An application for the National Summertime Pack Award may be downloaded from the Cub Scout forms page.

National Quality Unit Award

The Quality Unit Award recognizes outstanding packs, troops, teams, crews, and ships that conduct quality programs for their youth. All members, both youth and adults, of a pack that earns this award may wear the Quality Unit emblem (pictured to the right) on their uniforms, and a streamer may be displayed on the pack flag.

To qualify as a Quality Unit, a pack must meet all of the following conditions:

The Cubmaster and at least half of all den leaders must be fully trained—i.e., they have completed both Fast Start and Basic Leader Training.
The pack must have two-deep leadership, including an active, registered, and trained assistant Cubmaster as well as a registered adult who is responsible for promoting Youth Protection training.
The pack must provide at least one approved outdoor experience for its Scouts.
The pack must renew its charter on time—before the previous year's charter expires.

Additionally, the pack must meet two of the following conditions:

The pack must provide at least nine pack meetings per year and qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award (above).
The pack must have at least one active Tiger Cub den.
The pack must complete at least one community service project.
At least 75 percent of the Scouts must advance in rank.
All Scouts subscribe to Boys' Life magazine.
The pack must demonstrate positive membership growth.

Though it is possible to qualify as a Quality Unit for meeting only six of the 10 conditions above, Cub Scout leaders are encouraged to aim for all 10. These qualities have been shown to be critical indicators of successful pack operations.

Applications for the Quality Unit Award may be downloaded from the Cub Scout forms page.

Veteran Unit Emblem

This emblem is a gold embroidered bar worn by boys and adult leaders of packs that have been chartered 50 years or longer. It is worn directly below the council patch, above and touching the pack numeral.

William T. Hornaday Unit Award

The basic purpose of the Hornaday Awards program is to encourage learning about natural resource conservation and the environment. Understanding and practicing sound stewardship of natural resources and environmental protection strengthens Scouting's emphasis on respecting the outdoors.

A Cub Scout pack may earn this award by completing a unique, substantial conservation project. At least 60 percent of registered unit members must participate. This award is granted through the Conservation Service of the BSA National Council. Packs must apply for the award through their local council.