THE HISTORIC TRAILS PROGRAM
Love of America and devotion
to our country depend upon a
thorough appreciation of the
ideals, principles, and traditions
that have made our country
strong. Historic Trails Award
requirements emphasize
co
operation between historic societies and Cub Scout, Scouts
BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units. Scouts should
establish a close relationship with a local society as soon
as possible when planning a historic activity—most communities
have such societies.
Reports from many units indicate that these societies have
been eager to offer their cooperation by
• Suggesting trails or sites that are suitable for Scout historic
activities and exploration
• Providing Scouts with historic information about the trails
or sites
• Offering guidance to Scouts during restoration and
marking projects
• Financing the cost of materials used by Scouts for restoration
and marking projects
• Staging historic pageants and ceremonies with
Scout participation
• Directing public attention to Scout historic activities through
newspapers, television, and radio
Visit the Guide to Safe Scouting for current youth protection
policies.
Award Requirements
T
o earn the award, members of your unit must plan and
participate in a historic activity. A unit historic activity requires
members to
1. Locate a historic trail or site and study information relating to
it. (The information may be obtained from an adult historic
so
ciety, public library, or people living near the trail or site.
You can find BSA Historic Trails here:
https://tap.scouting.org/bsa-historic-trails-index/.
2. Hike or camp two days and one night along the trail or in the
vicinity of the site. Options include an area hotel or the home
of other Scouts.
3. Cooperate with an adult group such as a historic society to
restore and mark all or part of this trail or site. (This may be
done
during the hike or overnight camp.) Or cooperate with
su
ch a group to plan and stage a historic pageant, ceremony,
or other public event related to this trail or site—such an event
should be large enough to merit coverage by the local press.
Your unit leader must then file the Historic Trails Award
application with your local council service center.
Detach and send the report below to your local council service center.
U
nit No. ______
District _________________________________________
______________________________________________
................................Local Council Action
Approved ____________ Disapproved ____________
HISTORIC TRAILS AWARD APPLICATION
(Note: Only chartered units may apply for this award. This award
does not apply if any other BSA award is available for this trip.)
To: Local Council Only (Do not send to national office.)
1. Name of historic trail or site covered _______________________________________________________________________________________
Give state and nearest town.
From ____________________________________________ to _____________________________________ (two days and one night required)
Date Date
2. T
ype of historic observance, pageant, dedication, etc., in which unit participated ________________________________________________
______________________________________________ OR type of historic project carried out (such as erecting marker, plaque, sign, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: Unit must have done either activity above.)
3. Name of local historic society or association with which the unit cooperated in this event ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Total number of Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and leaders eligible for the Historic Trails Award _______________
5. Enter our order for ______ embroidered awards, No. 188 ______ leather awards, No. 244
(Contact your local council service
center for current prices.)
Approved _____________________________________________________________
Unit or tour leader
_______________________________________________________________
Address Phone
(NOTE: Embroidered and leather awards are not worn on uniforms but may be attached to tents, packs, or blankets.)
430-066
2020 Printing
