Scout of the Year

What Is the Scout of the Year Program?

Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars recognizes Eagle Scouts, Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, Venture Summit Award recipients, and Sea Scout Quartermasters who have risen above their peers in exemplifying the qualities of that rank.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible, the candidate must:

• Be the recipient of the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Summit Award, or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award.
• Be a registered, active member of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scout Ship at the time the above award was received.
• Have demonstrated exemplary citizenship in school, Scouting, and the community.

Prior National Scout of the Year winners are ineligible. There is no minimum age requirement, as long as all other eligibility criteria have been met. The maximum age is 18 years old; if an applicant turns 18 during the nomination year, they remain eligible as long as they are still in high school at the time of the submission deadline. A Scout may enter through only one VFW Post.

📍 To find your local Post: vfw.org/FindaPost

What Documentation Is Required?

• Completed Entry Form — submitted to a local VFW Post (download below).
• Photograph of the Scout — attached to the entry form, in correct, complete uniform for their current rank (recommended size 3"×5").
• School Participation Record — a single page, one-sided resume of academic achievements, offices held, honors received, and significant activities.
• Scouting Record — up to three pages, one side only, covering all Scouting participation from Cub Scouts/Brownies onward, including unit numbers, sponsors, leadership positions, activities (jamborees, Order of the Arrow, etc.), and the candidate's Eagle, Gold, Summit, or Quartermaster project.
• Community Service Record — a single page, one-sided resume of community and religious service (excluding Scouting and school), noting leadership and recognition received.
• Three Letters of Recommendation (≤2 pages each) from: a Scout leader, a community member, and a teacher/faculty member (a parent letter is acceptable if homeschooled). Up to two additional letters from community members with special knowledge of the candidate may also be included.

What Are the Deadlines?

• March 1 – Deadline for Scout entries to the local VFW Post.
• April 1 – Deadline for Posts to forward the winning entry, with full entry criteria, to the next level of judging (District, if applicable, or the Department Scouting Chairman/Department Headquarters).
• May 1 – Deadline for the Department winner to be selected and submitted to VFW National Headquarters by the Department Scouting Chairman.

A Scout may enter through only one VFW Post. If a District judging is taking place, allow enough time for entries to reach the District first while still meeting the April 1 Department deadline.

Resources & Forms

Questions?