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The Department of Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars, at their 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.

History: For many years, the VFW has sponsored an annual financial scholarship award which any Scout, in the Boy Scouting program who has achieved the Eagle Award or the Quartermaster Award or the
Venture Summit Award or Girl Scout who has achieved the Gold Award may apply. The Scout applies to their local VFW Post, which passes their single candidate on to the next organizational level, the district
level. Each District passes a single candidate on to State level. The State winner is sent on for National VFW selection by May 1. The National VFW is continuing the program without the financial
scholarship. Washington State winners will continue to receive; 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $300, and 3rd Place $200.

VFW Convention Action: Several Washington State VFW members and members of the State Scout Team expressed the desire to be able to recognize any Scout 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. A motion passed to establish a new Department of Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars Scout of the Year Award to do just that.

Scout Nomination: To nominate your Scout of the Year, the Scout Unit leader should submit a nomination form highlighting the Scout’s accomplishments which demonstrates their character, spiritual awareness, or skills which exemplifies 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.