International Spirit Award

The International Spirit Award recognizes Scouts and Scouters who learn more about Scouting around the world. By doing the requirements for this award, Scouts and Scouters learn to appreciate different cultures.

The International Spirit Award emblem is worn as a temporary patch centered on the right uniform pocket.

Cub Scout International Spirit Award Requirements

1. Earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award.
2. Learn 10 words that are in a different language than your own.
3. Play two games that originated in another country or culture.
4. Participate in Jamboree-on-the-Air or Jamboree-on-the-Internet.
5. Organize a World Friendship Fund collection at a unit meeting or district roundtable.
6. Complete two of the 10 Experience Requirements. (see below)

Scouts BSA, Sea Scout, or Venturer International Spirit Award Requirements

1. Earn the Scouts BSA World Conservation Award or the Venturing World Conservation Award.
2. Earn the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge. (Alternative for Venturers: Complete the “Understanding Other Cultures” requirement of the TRUST Award.)
3. Participate in Jamboree-on-the-Air or Jamboree-on-the-Internet.
4. Organize a World Friendship Fund collection at a unit meeting or district roundtable.
5. Complete three of the 10 Experience Requirements. (see below)

Adult Scouter International Spirit Award Requirements

1. Learn about the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Explain to your unit or at a district roundtable what this organization is and at least three ways that the WOSM website can be used to promote participation in international Scouting.
2. Read the most current International Department newsletter and promote at least two items from the newsletter within your unit or at a district roundtable.
3. Help organize or participate in two Jamboree-on-the-Air or Jamboree-on-the-Internet events.
4. Organize a World Friendship Fund collection at a unit meeting or district roundtable.
5. Complete four of the 10 Experience Requirements. (see below)

Experience Requirements

• Host an international Scout or unit and plan activities to help you learn about Scouting in their country.
• Learn about another country and prepare a dinner traditionally served there. Explain what you learned to friends or family over the meal.
• Participate in a World Scout Jamboree, international camporee, or another international Scouting event. Share the experience with your unit or at a district roundtable.
• Take a trip to another country as an individual or with your family or Scouting unit. Make sure to visit a Scouting event or unit in that country. When you return home, share your experience with another unit.
• Organize and participate in a Messengers of Peace project. Share the experience with your unit or at a district roundtable, making sure to explain which dimensions of the program your project promoted.
• Earn the Interpreter Strip.
• Research Scouting in another country. Make a presentation at a unit meeting or district roundtable.
• Contact your local council’s international representative and assist them with at least two items they need help with promoting.
• Research the process of obtaining a U.S. passport. Create a fact sheet for your unit or district to assist them with requirements for traveling internationally.
• Research a region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Make a presentation at a unit meeting or district roundtable.

International Spirit Award Application

Messengers of Peace

The Messengers of Peace initiative is a program of the World Scout Committee. The Boy Scouts of America joined the initiative in 2012. This program encourages Scouts around the world to work for peace by being a positive force in their communities. All types of BSA units can participate in this program.

Interpreter Strips

An interpreter strip shows which languages a Scout is familiar with. It is worn above the “Boy Scouts of America” strip on the uniform. This emblem can be worn by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, or adults.

There are strips for spoken languages and sign language.

In May 2012, BSA introduced an interpreter strip for Morse Code. This strip shows Morse spelled out in Morse Code. Neat!