Court of Honor (Scouting)
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In the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), a Court of Honor is a ceremony held to present Scouts with awards they have earned. Exact procedures vary between the different scouting organizations and also by troop and over time. In the American Venturing Program, it is known as a Court of Award, while in Sea Scouts, it is known as a Bridge of Honor.
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[edit] Troop Courts of Honor
In the U.S., most awards (such as merit badges, and rank badges other than Eagle) are given out at a court of honor organized by the local pack, troop, or team (for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Varsity Scouts respectively). These often include ceremonies such as the Trooping of the Colors and may include other entertainments such as skits. Details are left to the organizing unit.
[edit] Eagle Scout
The rank of Eagle Scout, the BSA's highest rank, is typically presented in a special Court of Honor organized for just this purpose. This will often honor a single scout or a few scouts who have earned the award contemporaneously. Generally, no other awards are given out at this ceremony other than the Eagle. Details are usually organized by the Scout's unit in consultation with the Scout and his family. The Eagle Scout Court of Honor, though held on a local basis, is considered a National Court of Honor because, even after the Scout passes his Eagle Board of Review, the national BSA office must approve the Eagle Scout application. The Eagle Scout Court of Honor is usually opened with words similar to "I now convene this National Court of Honor".
[edit] National Court of Honor
The BSA also conducts National Courts of Honor to bestow awards such as the Silver Buffalo and Young American Award.
