The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition which may be awarded to Scouters within the juristiction of a local territory by the National Court of Honor, based upon research and nominations by the local council. The award is made for longtime outstanding and notworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered Scouters. The Silver Beaver recipients are presented annually by action of the Council Executive Board after being selected by a volunteer panel from those nominations submitted. When thinking of a beaver, we think of an industrious builder who stays focused on a goal.
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society. The Vigil Honor is the Order's highest level of membership for a youth or adult Lodge member. The honor is bestowed upon an individual by special selection from a group of youth Vigil members within the Lodge and it recognizes exceptional service after a minimum of two years as a Brotherhood member. Those selected are advanced to the Vigil Honor after completing their Vigil.
Wood Badge is the most advanced training program available to adult Scout leaders. It, and the related award, is recognized around the world and aims to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scouting movement.
Courses generally have a combined classroom and practical outdoors-based phase followed by a Wood Badge ticket, also known as the project phase. By "working the ticket," participants put their newly gained experience into practice to attain ticket goals aiding the Scouting movement. The first Wood Badge training was organized by Francis "Skipper" Gidney and lectured at by Robert Baden-Powell and others at Gilwell Park (United Kingdom) in September 1919. Wood Badge training has since spread across the world with international variations.
Upon completion of the course, participants are awarded the Wood Badge beads to recognize significant achievement in leadership and direct service to young people. The pair of small wooden beads, one on each end of a leather thong (string), is worn around the neck as part of the Scout uniform. The beads are presented together with a taupe neckerchief bearing a tartan patch of the Maclaren clan, honoring William De Bois Maclaren, who donated the funding to purchase Gilwell Park in 1919. The neckerchief with the braided leather woggle (neckerchief slide) denotes the membership of the 1st Gilwell Scout Group or Gilwell Troop 1.