Polar Bear Award?

[eagle_scout98]

I've been doing some research at the request of others since we have gotten back from a weekend campout where the lows were in the 20s.

 

There was discussion on the "Polar Bear Award" as it pertains to camping at temperatures below freezing.

 

My question is: Is this a council based award or a national award?

 

So far, all I have found is some councils versions (pretty much the same but still unique) and not thing on a national scope.

 

And by "award" I mean patch given to someone who completes the requirements. Not something you would hand out at a COH as an 'award' earned.

 

Thanks for the insight.

[GernBlansten]

Denver Area Council requires temps to dip below zero overnight for the PolarBear. I've heard Texas requires it below freezing. (One of our ASMs was a scout in Texas and the rule was the scoutmaster put his coffee cup out with water in it overnight, if there was ice, you got your Polarbear.) For us Colorado campers, keeping our water from freezing is just part of camping.

Earned mine last winter at our Klondoree. 8 below zero but some read 11 below. Three years ago, our Klondoree got down to 22 below.

[ScoutNut]

These patches are council based - NOT National recognitions.

 

[caleen]

I've been wondering this ourselves. Both last year and this year, we've had our Fire & Knife Weekend for Webelos, and both weekends it got below 25 degrees. We couldn't find a "Polar Bear" patch, but found a "Scouting in Freezing Weather" patch, basically, a bundled up blue scout.

 

We'd love to find a Polar Bear patch. If anyone finds one, post it here. I know there are some patch companies that make patches, but we don't have the quantity that some of these places ask for.

[ScoutNut]

Many patch companies carry generic (no date) stock patches that do not require a minimum purchase. These companies usually have some kind of cold weather camping stock patch.

 

 

[nmstowe]

One such patch company is called The Patch Place. I believe their website is www.patchplace.com They have a lot of generic patches, but are also willing and able to make a special patch for you. You can also submit drawings for the patch or could have a competition for the boys to draw one for your upcoming event. That would make it even more special to them. Most any place that makes patchs can do one up for you and there are thousands of those shops online. Good luck!