Outdoor Ethics Awards - Frequently Asked Questions

Q:		Requirement No. 5 for the Outdoor Ethics Awareness Awards and requirement 4 for the Scouts BSA Outdoor Ethics Action Award refer to a person "who has completed the BSA outdoor ethics orientation course ... " What is considered an orientation course?
A:		The person who can facilitate the outdoor ethics activity or check the Action Award requirement is any of the following: a Leave No Trace Level 2 or Level 1 Instructor (formerly Master Educator or Trainer) a Tread Lightly! Master Tread Trainer or Tread Trainer a person who has completed the BSA Leave No Trace Basics (formerly 101) course or earned the BSA Leave No Trace Awareness Card (Basics course equivalent) a person who has completed the BSA Outdoor Ethics Orientation course any individual designated by a council outdoor ethics advocate or, in the absence of an advocate, the Scout executive or his or her designee, to facilitate the "outdoor ethics activity."

Q:		Where can I get these awards?
A:		Many council scout shops stock the OE Awareness Award patches (SKU 618280), they can order them for you, or you can order them at www.scoutshop.org. Because the OE Action Award name badges (SKU 618977) are restricted and must be customized, they must be ordered through your local council scout shop. Take your completed application form.

Q:		The Action Award requires a service project. What kinds of things can I do.
A:		The award brochures give a few examples of projects. More info can be found in this reference.

Q:		Who "Signs Off" these awards
A:		The unit leader authorizes the Awareness and Action Awards. Ideally the requirements are checked by a leader who has taken the Leave No Trace Basics course, or by a Leave No Trace Level 1, 2, or 3 Instructor.

Q:		What changed in 2016 and 2019?
A:		Changes to the Scouts BSA Advancement requirements caused some minor changes to the requirements for the Outdoor Ethics Action Awards. More Information

Q:		Where are the awards worn on the scout uniform?
A:		The Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award is considered a temporary patch: The patch is worn centered on the right pocket ... Female leaders ... may wear one temporary insignia centered above the Boy Scouts of America or Venturing BSA strip (above the right pocket). Scouts may wear temporary patches on the back of the merit badge sash. The OE Action Award is a nameplate: ... above right pocket, either above BSA strip or above interpreter strip. (For more details, please see: Guide to Awards and Insignia) (From OE Task Force meeting, Jan 18, 2015)

Q:		Boy (or adult) earned the OE Action Award as Cub Scout (or Cub leader) before the award was retired, then joins Scouts BSA. Can the award (name tag) be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform?
A:		The OE Action Award with the small Cub Scout emblem can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform. The scout (adult) is encouraged to earn the Scouts BSA OE Action Award and add the small Scouts BSA emblem to the award. (From OE Task Force meeting, Jan 18, 2015)