Camp Horseshoe Recognition

“Once you get the dust of Horseshoe in your moccasins, you can never get it out.”

HSRAA
A Proud Benefactor to HSR Since 2000.

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Camp Horseshoe Recognition

———— EXHIBIT ————

< Recognition

“Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away.”
–Charles Caleb Colton

Exhibit Details

For all the hard work shown in a week down at Summer Camp, Scouts (and Scouters) have been recognized throughout the years with unique awards.

Displays in this Exhibit:

Individual Awards

Certificates

Camp Award

Patrol Awards

Troop Awards

Camp Horseshoe Round Patch

Individual Awards

Display Details

There are many activities throughout the week that youth and adults can participate in, and often little segments or other patches that are awarded for completing those activities.

See Also

Click HERE to see an exhibit for one of the most prestigious individual awards, the Silver Buckle Award!

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by hiking Camp Horseshoe’s yellow trail.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by hiking Camp Horseshoe’s blue trail, which winds around the Southern portion of the Octoraro Creek.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by hiking Camp Horseshoe’s red trail.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by hiking Camp Horseshoe’s Nature trail, which winds around the Octoraro Creek on the West side of the property.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by taking an early morning dip in the Horseshoe Pool 5 out of 6 days.

A Scout can earn this award by participating in the Trailblazers First Year Camper Experience during their week at Horseshoe.

A Scout can earn this award by participating in Camp Horseshoe’s C.O.P.E. program.

A Scout can earn this award by participating in the week-long Mountain Biking program.

One of the least-awarded segments, a Scout can earn this award by having his turtle come in first place during the Saturday evening Turtle Derby.

A Scout can earn this award by participating in the Saturday night OA pageant.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by attending the Aquatics SIP 4 out of 5 days during the summer camp week.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by attending the Ecology & Conservation SIP 4 out of 5 days during the summer camp week.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by attending the Campcraft SIP 4 out of 5 days during the summer camp week.

It is unknown what this segment is for.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by attending the Handicraft SIP 4 out of 5 days during the summer camp week.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by attending the Health & Fitness SIP 4 out of 5 days during the summer camp week.

A Scout or Scouter can earn this award by attending the Shooting Sports SIP 4 out of 5 days during the summer camp week.

This segment can be earned by those who complete the Horseshoe Scout Reservation History quiz, sponsored by HSRAA.

An adult leader can earn this award by completing a number 12 out of 15 enrichment activities throughout the week.

This OA SIP segment was issued starting in the 2010s.

This is how the round patch looks when it is populated with activity segments.

In previous years, this patch was awarded to those who participate as Life Guards at the Camp Horseshoe.

Another version of the life guard patch.

Another variation of the Horseshoe Life Guard Patch.

Another version of the life guard patch.

The Silver Buckle Award is given to those Scouts who have best led their troops throughout the camp week as well as best exemplifying the values of Scouting.

Certificates

Display Details

Some years in the past various trainings or activities would earn you a certificate!

A polar bear certificate issued in 1977.
1977 – Contributed by Craig Dickson

This certificate was issued for those who finished leadership training.
Contributed by Andrew Coe

Camp Award

Display Details

This award was given out approximately between the years of 1928 – 1940. The criteria for earning this award was:

1) Pass a swimming achievement test.
2) Take at least one overnight hike during the camp period.
3) Pass a first aid achievement test.
4) Do an approved camp improvement.
5) Make an improved article of handicraft.
6) Pass at least three approved test of the next highest rank or two merit badges if a first class scout.
7) Take part in all camp activities.
8) Receive the approval of the camp staff.

Patrol Awards

Display Details

The Standard Patrol Award (once known as the Honor Patrol Award) and the 100% Patrol Award are the patrol awards that can be earned at Camp Horseshoe.

Troop Awards

Display Details

Troops that strive for excellence in all manner of activities, cleanliness, and conduct have earned vaious plauqes, ribbons, and pennants over the years.

See Also

Click HERE to see a gallery of another troop award, Marching Trophies!

This award is given out to those units who meet the following criteria (which as most certainly changed over the years): 1) 50% of the troop membership must attend camp. 2) All patrols must earn the Standard Patrol Award. 3) Troop must participate in the camp-wide events to the satisfaction of the Program Director. 4) The troop must earn the Clean Camp Award. 5) A minimum of two patrols must be in camp.

The 1954 Standard Troop Award.

The 1955 Standard Troop Award.

The 1956 Standard Troop Award.

Here is the 1957 Standard Troop Award earned by Troop 78,

Note that in the same year, the color of the Native-American head is a different color.

Here is the 1957 Standard Troop Award earned by Troop 35.

Note that in the same year, the color of the Native-American head is a different color.

The 1960 Standard Troop Award.

The 2018 Standard Troop Award.

The 2022 Standard Troop Award.

The 2023 Standard Troop Award.

The 2024 Standard Troop Award.

The 2025 Standard Troop Award.

This award is given out to troops who receive the Clean Camp Award 5 out of 6 days and is presented during Sunday Lunch at Camp Horseshoe. Troops must inspect their sites and keep the latrines, trails, bunks, fire circles and tent/adirondack areas clean.

The older, squarish Clean Camp flag.

The Clean Camp Award pennant issued in the mid to late 1950s.

One of the

This was the Clean Camp Award pennant issued for a long stretch from the 1960s to 1989.

Same criteria for earning it, but the new award is a green ribbon rather than a felt pennant.

In addition to earning the Clean Camp Award ribbon, the troop with the most points per weeks wins this ribbon as well.

Ribbon

The Roberts’ Award, named for the Honorable Owen J. Roberts, was awarded to the members of troops that meet a certain set of standards.

I believe these standards could change slightly from year to year and involved troop attendance at camp among other things. I am not sure when this recognition was first given or when it ended. At a minimum, it spanned the forties into the seventies.

This was the patch awarded to recipients of the Roberts Award in 1945.

This was the patch awarded to recipients of the Roberts Award in 1946.

This was the patch awarded to recipients of the Roberts Award in 1947.

This was the patch awarded to recipients of the Roberts Award in 1948.

This generic version of the Roberts Award was used in the 1950s.

Camp Horseshoe Round Patch

Display Details

Every Scouts and Scouter who has ever spent a week at Camp Horseshoe has earned one of these to sew onto the right side of their Scouting uniform.

Normal Camp Horseshoe Round Patch worn below the right pocket on the Scout uniform. Segments can be earned to add around the perimeter of the patch. The round patch can be earned by Scouts and Scouters attending a week at Summer Camp.

One of the few round patches with “Indian Head” center that displays “Camp Horseshoe” instead of “Horseshoe Scout Reservation”.

This round patch for Camp Horseshoe and Camp Ware was issued to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chester County Council in 2019.

The chenille patch version of the 90th Anniversary of HSR logo.

The 90th Anniversary HSR Round Patch.

The round Horseshoe patch released in 2011.

This 85th Anniversary Camp Horseshoe Patch was issued in 2012.

This patch was issued to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Scouting. It’s best to appreciate this patch from afar.

This HSR patch was issued during the 100th Anniversary of Scouting celebration.

This round patch was issued in 2007 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

This patch was issued to commemorate the 75th camping season of Camp Horseshoe.

The red version of the Camp Horseshoe Round Patch issued for the 70th anniversary of Camp Horseshoe. The round patch can be earned by Scouts and Scouters attending a week at Summer Camp.

The green version of the Camp Horseshoe Round Patch issued for the 70th anniversary of Camp Horseshoe. The round patch can be earned by Scouts and Scouters attending a week at Summer Camp.

The early version of the Camp Horseshoe Round Patch issued for the 70th anniversary of Camp Horseshoe. The round patch can be earned by Scouts and Scouters attending a week at Summer Camp.

The 1997 Camp Horseshoe Anniversary Patch, one of 5 issued that year.

The 65th Anniversary Round Patch for Camp Horseshoe.

This patch was individually available for purchase starting in 2022.

This patch was only available purchase as part of a 3-patch framed set, and this is patch #1 of that set. Only 20 sets were made.

This patch was only available purchase as part of a 3-patch framed set, and this is patch #2 of that set. Only 20 sets were made.

This patch was only available purchase as part of a 3-patch framed set, and this is patch #3 of that set. Only 20 sets were made.

The standard Horseshoe Scout Reservation patch remained relatively unchanged from the 1970s (and earlier?) until today. Some minor design and production changes have been made along the way.

The golden year segment of 1977 commemorated the fiftieth year of camping at Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

In 1977 or 78, the Indian on the Horseshoe Scout Reservation patch had more of a bronze tone. The new color scheme was the new standard for years to come.

The 1941 Horseshoe Round Patch.

This round patch was found among the artifacts discovered in the Health Lodge Time Capsule, unearthed in the chimney in 2003 during renovations.

The 1944 Camp Horseshoe Patch.

Patch issued to Scouts in the 1950s.

This patch was awarded to 1st year campers at Camp Horseshoe in the 1950s.

This patch was awarded to 2nd year campers in the 1950s.

This patch was awarded to 3rd year campers at Camp Horseshoe in the 1950s.

Another variation of the Camp Horseshoe Round Patch for 3rd year campers.

This patch was issued to 6th year campers at Camp Horseshoe in the 1950s.

First Year Scout patch from the 1950s.

Second Year Scout patch from the 1950s.

Third Year Scout Patch issued from 1945-1949.

This patch was issued to Scouts between the years of 1945 and 1949.

Patch issued to second year Camp Horseshoe Scouts in the 1950s.

Patch issued to first year Camp Horseshoe Scouts in the 1950s.

Teal background version of the 1950s Adventure Trail patch.

Green background version of the 1950s Adventure Trail patch.

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Last updated October 4, 2025