The World Crest, also known as the World Membership Badge is a badge or patch worn by Scouts and Scouters around the world to indicate their membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Each national organization may determine where on their Scout uniform this emblem is worn.

The patch design has never changed since its inception. The patch is circular, one-inch in diameter, with a deep purple background. The other elements of the patch are in white. The most prominent element of the design is the international scout emblem, the fleur-de-lis (flower of the lily), which many national organizations have adapted for their own national emblem. This symbol alludes to the outdoor nature of Scouting. It is surrounded by a rope symbolizing unity. The rope is tied at the bottom in a square knot, a symbol of service. The fleur-de-lis is adorned with two stars symbolizing "truth" and "knowledge".

BSA usage

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Originally, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) presented the World Crest as an award to Scouts and Scouters who had participated in an international Scouting event. It became available on a limited basis in the early 1950s and from 1957 was available from local BSA council offices, together with a specific set of requirements for earning the badge.

In 1991, the BSA changed their policy and allowed all members to wear it as part of the standard uniform, without the obligation to meet specific requirements beyond membership, thus bringing them in-line with most other National Scout Organizations. The BSA still tends to call the patch the World Crest Emblem. The patch is still worn over the left pocket of the unifrom shirt, centered horizontally over the pocket and vertically between the left shoulder seam and the top of the pocket.

The BSA has another patch, the International Participant Award, which is now used as an award for Scouts and Scouters who participate in international Scouting events. The International Participant Award is worn on the right pocket, but some people incorrectly wear in the location for the World Crest.

Notes

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1. Walton, Mike The World Crest Badge...(and why do we *all* wear it?). 1999.
2. Scouting Terms and Style 2005 - Boy Scouts of America website.
3. 2005 National Scout Jamboree - International Night 2005 - Boy Scouts of America website (PDF).

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