Recognition is the final phase of advancement. Recognition of the Scout comes in many ways, from a pat on the back to a formal ceremony. The Boy Scout Court of Honor is the embodiment of our idea of recognition. It is the ceremony we hold to confer the badge of newly earned rank and merit badges. It's also the time for any special commendation of an individual. The most important thing to remember is that the central purpose is to recognize Scouts.

Some key ingredients for successful Courts of Honor include, schedule the Court of Honor dates in your annual Troop calendar and stick to them; promote the event to parents and friends through your Troop newsletter; involve the Chartered Organization and the local media if possible; make sure the meeting location is large enough to accommodate your guests and that environment is comfortable; keep the ceremony simple, dignified, and understandable. A few props can make a location special. Try a log campfire, or candles and a rustic candelabra. Honor the Scouts one at a time. And end the event with refreshments and informal congratulations.

Remember, this is the opportunity for your Scouts to have their efforts and their accomplishments recognized by the people most significant to them. The impact can be life changing for the Scout, but it works on his peers too. It can be a powerful incentive towards advancement of their own.