Advancement
The Varsity Scout advancement program encourages young men to meet significant challenges that lead to personal growth. Among the strengths of the Varsity Scout advancement program are:
- It is fun.
- It offers adventure.
- It allows Scouts to measure their progress.
- It provides recognition.
- It promotes development of physical fitness, character, and citizenship.
- It stimulates social development and teamwork.
- It excites interest through sports, high adventure and cultural activities.
Varsity Scouts are eligible for all awards available to Boy Scouts and they should be encouraged to complete the Eagle Rank. They may also receive recognition offered through the 50-miler award; mile Swim, BSA; and other BSA recognitions.In addition, they may earn several awards reserved for members of Varsity Scout Teams. Awards available only to Varsity Scouts include the Varsity Scout Letter, various Activity Pins and the Denali Award.
VARSITY SCOUT LETTER
To earn the Varsity Scout letter, a Varsity Scout or Varsity Scout team adult leader must do the following:
1. Be a registered Varsity Scout Team member.
2. While a team member, actively participate in or accomplish at least one high-adventure/sports program to the satisfaction of the Varsity Scout Coach.
3. Have an attendance record at team meetings and activities of at least 75 percent for three consecutive months.
4. Satisfy the Varsity Scout Coach that you know and live by the Scout Oath and Law.
VARSITY SCOUT ACTIVITY PINS 
Once a scout has earned his Varsity Letter, he can earn Activity Pins. Activity pins are awarded upon completion of each ultimate adventure or sports season. Currently, the following activities are recognized in the Varsity Sports and "Ultimate Adventure" Program, and have pins available:
 Backpacking Freestyle Biking Soccer Basketball Frontiersman Softball Bowling Mechanics Survival | Canoe Camping Orienteering Swimming Caving Rock Climbing & Rappelling Tennis Cross-Country Skiing Triathlon Cycling | Roller Hockey Volleyball Shooting Sports Water skiing Fishing Snow Camping Discovering Adventure Whitewater Canoeing |
There are no specific requirements for the various pins. Basically, a Scout must earn the
LETTER, then complete the sport or "ultimate adventure" to get the pin.
The VARSITY DENALI AWARD 
To earn the Varsity Denali Award, a Varsity Scout must do the following:
1. Be a registered Varsity Scout Team member.
2. Advance one rank toward Eagle. If you are already an Eagle Scout earn a Palm.
3.Hold leadership positions in a Varsity Scout team for at least six months.
- While serving as team captain or a program manager, act as primary leader on at least two activities. Program managers should choose activities in their field of emphasis. Team captains may be primary leaders of activities in any of the five fields of emphasis.
- While serving as a program manager or team captain, demonstrate shared leadership skills by participating in supportive roles in activities in each of the three remaining fields of emphasis.
4. Satisfy the team captain that you know and live by the Varsity Scout Pledge.
5. Complete a progress review.
Download the Denali Award Score Card
Advancement for Adults 
There are several awards available to adult Varsity Scout leaders:
- Varsity Scout Leader Letter (same patch as the youth letter)
- Varsity Scout Quality Leader
- Varsity Scout Leader Training Award (with Varsity device pin)
- Varsity Coach's Key (with Varsity device pin)
Download the Leader Training Score Card
Click here to download a guide to the knots adults can wear on their uniform:
BSA Knot Insignia
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