The Department of Washington, at the 2021 State Convention, instituted a new Washington State Scout of the Year Award to recognize and honor any Scout in any Scouting Program of any rank and any age in Washington State.
Several Washington State VFW members and members of the State Scout Team expressed the desire to be able to recognize Scouts for their contribution to their community demonstrated in the form of Scout spirit, leadership, heroism, community service, or citizenship; not just Scouts in the National categories.
Scout Nomination: To nominate your Scout of the Year, the Scout Unit leader should submit a nomination form highlighting the Scout’s accomplishments demonstrating their character, spiritual awareness, or skills which exemplify their contribution to their community, to their local VFW Post by February 1st. Nomination form available at www.vfwwa.org/programs/scouting program.
NOTE: Your closest local VFW Post may be found on the National VFW web site: VFW.org, select the “Find A Post” tab.
VFW Post Activity: The Post will select a single Scout in each program level (in both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) to pass on to the Local District by March 1st.
VFW District Activity: The Local District will select a single Scout in each program level (in both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) to pass on to the State Scout Team Chairman by April 1st .
Awards: First Place certificates will be awarded for each program level in Boy Scouts (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Venturing, STEM Scouts and Exploring) and Girl Scouts (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadets, Seniors, and Ambassadors). These First-Place winners will then be judged for an overall Washington State Scout of the Year Award with a financial stipend. 1st Place will be $500, 2nd Place $300, and 3rd Place $200.