For decades, councils have issued shoulder insignia of varying types to designate council affiliation. In recent years, this has been broadened to include shoulder insignia issued that also designates a particular activity, event, or training program.

A note about “Issue” numbers: The issue numbers listed below for CSP’s and SAP’s are based on the 2017 book, “An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Insignia with Valuation Guide” by Steve Austin, Larry Kelley, Frank Kern, Bill Loeble, and Mark Scheiderer. For patches issued after this book was produced, or that were omitted from that book’s listing, the issue number has been updated based on information from Bill Loeble, one of the book’s authors. JSP’s, the bottom category below, are outside the Scope of the reference guide above, so I created a logical issue number since I am unaware of a universally accepted issue number for JSP’s.

Download a checklist as a PDF. This checklist was compiled by John Mellette, and builds off of the numbering system and descriptions in the above referenced 2017 book, “An Aid to Collecting Selected Council Shoulder Insignia with Valuation Guide.”

Central South Carolina Council (1929 – 1978)

ImageIssueNotes
KRS-1khaki & red half strip; likely used for executive staff, council officers and commissioners during the 1940's
RWS-1used as a CSP for executive staff, council officers, etc. during the 1950's and used as a JSP for the 1957 and 1960 Jamborees; note that at least 2 variations exist, one is a darker red twill than the other; fakes also exist, but are easily recognizable as such
T-11968 - 1975; during this period most unit level Scouters wore community strips rather than this CSP during this period; not created as a JSP, but it was worn by Scouts attending the 1973 National Jamboree
S-2600 made; 1976; had to be changed the next year to include a "BSA" or fdl to comply with National standards. Unit level Scouters during this period still primarily wore community strips
S-31976; Unit level Scouters during this period still primarily wore community strips; while not created as a JSP, it was worn by Scouts from this council attending the 1977 National Jamboree

Indian Waters Council (1978 – present)

To better manage the listing of the quantity of shoulder patches created by Indian Waters Council, the listings below are divided into four categories: (1) “regular” Council Shoulder Patches, (2) Shoulder Activity Patches, (3) Shoulder Patches for Fundraising or FOS, and (4) Jamboree Shoulder Patches.

The patches in the first grouping are Council Shoulder Patches, or CSPs. A CSP is a shoulder patch issued for council identification only and is intended to be worn by anyone registered in the council. Included in the CSP category are shoulder patches issued to commemorate the anniversary of BSA, the anniversary of a council, a national historical event, etc., provided the patch was not issued in conjunction with a council activity.

ImageIssueNotes
RWS-1This patch was never "issued" in the traditional sense, though it is very much "official." When the council name changed in 1978, one of the local Scouting distributors at the time, Belk Department Store, sent an order to National Supply for council strips. Since Central South Carolina Council had changed their name, and no new CSP had been developed, National produced and sent these red and white strips. The store manager, upon receiving, called District Executive Dave Durham. He bought the entire lot and gave, sold, or donated all of them over many years.
S-1acloth back variation; 1979 - 1987
S-1bplastic back variation; 1979 - 1987
S-31985; 75th anniversary "Diamond Jubilee" - first available at the Council Camporee at Historic Camden, and sold out at that event - 300 made - sold for $5 each - intended for uniform wear - designed by Berg Simpson; fakes exist
S-4 1987; same design as S-1 but with gold mylar border - commemorates 75th anniversary of Scouting in the Midlands - design modification suggested by Bill Loeble - first available at the Council Camporee; 1000 made
S-61987; designed by Berg Simpson
S-7designed by Jay Coles
S-10Designed by Tripp Clark
S-18Issued by Muscogee Lodge but available to any Scout of Scouter; designed to be reminiscent of the old Red and White strips but in the color of the new uniform insignia
T-202010; 100th anniversary of the BSA
SA-472016; 100th anniversary of council #553; 500 made; designed by Courtney Prevette
S-92June 2023; first "regular issue" CSP after the merger with Pee Dee Area Council; features the ghosted logos of Camp Barstow and Camp Coker; quantity unknown & designer unknown

The next grouping is Shoulder Activity Patches, or SAPs. A SAP is a shoulder patch issued for participation in a council activity such as Wood Badge, youth leader training, summer camp, etc. This listing is limited to SAPs for training and events. Another category of SAP, those specific to Friends of Scouting (FOS) and other fundraising are categorized separately below. It is worth noting that SAPs are relatively new and, while popular in many councils, are actually a violation of BSA guidelines. BSA’s “Guidelines for Custom Patches and Emblems” states that a “licensee must not produce . . . any patch in any one of the defined shapes of a council shoulder patch, which is not a council shoulder patch.” SAP’s, by definition, are not council shoulder patches (CSPs) but are activity patches shaped like CSPs.

ImageIssueNotes
GCC SA-192005; Georgia Carolina & Indian Waters Councils - Woodbadge; 300 made
GCC SA-202005; Georgia Carolina & Indian Waters Councils - Woodbadge; 150 made
GCC SA-212005; Georgia Carolina & Indian Waters Councils - Woodbadge; 100 made
GCC SA-21:12006; Georgia Carolina & Indian Waters Councils - Woodbadge (gold mylar border); 50 made
GCC SA-21:22006; Georgia Carolina & Indian Waters Councils - Woodbadge (silver mylar border); 100 made
SA-292011; Wood Badge - participant issue, 150 made
SA-302011; Wood Badge - staff issue, 50 made
SA-312011; Wood Badge - completion issue, 75 made
SA-31:12011; Wood Badge -ERROR, red border with WHITE log.
SA-35a2012; black eye
SA-35b2012; 100 made; white eye
SA-362012; National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT); 150 made; designed by Greg McDaniel
SA-372012; National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - gold mylar border, staff; 50 made; designed by Greg McDaniel
SA-392013, Wood Badge; participant issue
SA-402013, Wood Badge; staff issue
SA-??2013, Wood Badge; completion (?) issue
SA-41:12014; National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
SA-41:22014; National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT); staff
SA-45:12015; Wood Badge
SA-45:22015; Wood Badge
SA-45:32015; Wood Badge
SA-632017; Klondike; 300 made
SA-642017; Klondike staff; 50 made
SA-50:42017; Wood Badge
SA-50:52017; Wood Badge
SA-50:62017; Wood Badge
SA-582017 - 2019; Pathfinders, 200 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-622017 only; Trailblazers, 50 made - Designed by David Lund
This is the hardest SAP in this series for collectors to find, as it was only used in 2017.
SA-672017 - 2019; Staff, 250 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-532017 - 2019; Boating, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-602017 - 2019; Scoutcraft, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-572017 - 2019; Handicraft, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-542017 - 2019; COPE and Climbing, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-522017 - 2018; 50-miler Trek afoot,afloat, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-592017 - 2018; Sailing adventure; 150 made - designed by David Lund
SA-552017 - 2019; Ecology, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-612017 - 2019; Shooting Sports, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-662017 - 2018; 50-mile war canoe trek, 100 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-??2017 - 2019; Barstowree champion, 150 made to date - Designed by David Lund. This patch is restricted to winners of the Barstowree. The goal was to create a special CSP much like the Masters’ Green Jacket. You have to earn this one. Still in active use through 2019. Decision pending on 2020.
SA-512018 only; 25-miler trek afoot, afloat, 50 made - Designed by David Lund.
SA-562017 - 2018; Fishing Adventure, 150 made - Designed by David Lund
SA-682019; National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT); Indian Waters Council 553 & Pee Dee Area Council 552; note that there is also a version that has the name "Pee Dee Area Council" across the top; 60 made with IWC and 40 made with Pee Dee
SA-692019; Wood Badge; 150 made
SA-702020; 250 made to honor 2019 Eagle Class at the Council Banquet (banquet postponed by COVID-19)
SA-71February 2021; 250 made to honor the 2020 Eagle Class. They were presented and first available at the May 23, 2021 Scouting Extravaganza in Lexington and one was awarded to each 2020 Eagle Scout in attendance.
SA-72March 2021; Wood Badge; 200 made
SA-73March 2021; Wood Badge; 200 made
SA-74March 2021; Wood Badge; 200 made
SA-75March 2021; Wood Badge; 200 made
SA-76March 2021; Wood Badge; 200 made
SA-77April 2021; Created to recognize the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts and first available at the Scouting Extravaganza in Lexington on May 23, 2021; 250 made
SA-78 *April 2021; Special blue border version of SA-77 created to recognize the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts. Only 6 were made, and all were presented as a framed recognition item to the 6 female Eagle Scouts who were the inaugural class for Indian Waters Council. This blue border version was otherwise not available and therefore essentially not a "normal" issue.
SA-79July 2021; 100 made; NYLT training course
SA-80July 2021; 25 made; NYLT training course STAFF
SA-81July 2021; 25 made; NYLT training course patrol issue
SA-82July 2021; 25 made; NYLT training course patrol issue
SA-83July 2021; 25 made; NYLT training course patrol issue
SA-84July 2021; 25 made; NYLT training course patrol issue
SA-85July 2021; 25 made; NYLT training course patrol issue
SA-86September 2021; 250 made. Designed by Flynn Bowie
SA-87March 2022; 500 made to honor 2021 Eagle Class at the Council Banquet
SA-88Issued April 2023; made to honor the 2022 Eagle Class that were honored at the Council Awards Reception
SA-89March 2023; Wood Badge, yellow border - 125 made. Designer unknown
SA-90March 2023; Wood Badge, red border - 125 made. Designer unknown
SA-91March 2023; Wood Badge, black border - 150 made. Designer unknown
SA-92September 2023; NYLT, red border - participant patch. No year on patch. Anticipated to be used multiple years. 200 made. Designer - Kevin Tidwell
SA-93September 2023; NYLT, white border - staff patch. No year on patch. Anticipated to be used multiple years. 200 made. Designer - Kevin Tidwell

SAPs specific for Fundraising or FOS are listed below.

ImageIssueNotes
SA-21985; 75th anniversary "Diamond Jubilee" - first available at the Council Camporee at Historic Camden - 301 made - sold for $10 each, numbered and in a frame as a fundraiser - not intended for uniform wear - designed by Berg Simpson; fakes exist
SA-51987; 1500 made; Created by Muscogee Lodge, with Council approval, and sold for $10 each to raise funds for construction of the William B. O'Tuel Training Lodge at Camp Barstow; designed by Tripp Clark
SA-8Created as a fundraising companion to the S-7 CSP; a limited run of 330 of the red border version were made and sold for $10 each; designed by Jay Coles
SA-91999; FOS $250 donation
SA-112000; FOS $250 donation
SA-122001; FOS $250 donation
SA-132002; FOS $250 donation
SA-142003; FOS $250 donation
TA-152006; FOS $250 donation
TA-162007; FOS $250 donation
TA-172008; FOS $250 donation
TA-192009; FOS $250 donation
TA-212010; FOS $250 donation
TA-222011; FOS $250 (note a different background shade than others in this series)
SA-322012; FOS $250 donation (fully embroidered - all others in this series are twill background)
TA-382013; FOS $250 donation
TA-412014; FOS $250 donation; 1000 made
TA-452015; FOS $250 donation; 1000 made
TA-482016; FOS $250 donation; 500 made
TA-50:12017; FOS $250 donation; 500 made
SA-232011; FOS $250 donation; 100 made - error on size; remade as larger SA-24; designed by Richard Hayes
SA-242011; FOS $250 donation; designed by Richard Hayes
SA-252011; FOS $250 donation; 100 made - error on size; remade as larger SA-26; designed by Richard Hayes
SA-262011; FOS $250 donation; designed by Richard Hayes
SA-282011; FOS $250; designed by Richard Hayes; 250 - 300 made
SA-272012; FOS $250; designed by Richard Hayes; 250 - 300 made
SA-422014; FOS $250 donation; 500 made; designed by Mike Prachar
SA-42:12014; FOS $250 donation; 500 made; designed by Mike Prachar
SA-432015; FOS $250 donation; designed by Mike
Prachar & Richard Hayes;
500 made
SA-442015; FOS $250 donation; 500 made; designed by Mike Prachar
SA-462015; fundraiser for 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow; $5 each; 1000 made; designed by Greg McDaniel and Keith Jones
SA-492016; FOS $250 donation; 300 made
SA-502016; FOS $250 donation; 300 made
TA-49:12016; FOS $250 donation - manufacturing error - twill background version; 300 made
TA-50:052016; FOS $250 donation - manufacturing error - twill background version; 300 made
SA-50:22017; FOS $250 donation
SA-50:32017; FOS $250 donation
SA-332012; FOS; designed by Richard Hayes; 500 made
SA-342012; FOS; designed by Richard Hayes; 500 made
SA-65James E West Award; $1000 donation to Endowment; 100 made

Jamboree Shoulder Patches, or JSPs, are created specifically for participants of the National Scout Jamboree.

ImageIssueNotes
CSC-JSP-19351935 Jamboree was canceled because of polio; text represents Region VI, Area N, Troop 24
CSC-JSP-19371937 Jamboree; text represents Region VI, Area L, Troop 24; Note that there are no known examples that exist, the one pictures is a Photoshop creation from known examples from other troops in different councils
IWC-JSP-19851985; designed by Tripp Clark; 1000 made
IWC-JSP-19891989; designed by Matthew Delk
IWC-JSP-19931993; designed by Don Cantrell; 500 made
IWC-JSP-19971997
IWC-JSP-20012001; designed by Tripp Clark
IWC-JSP-2005-12005; designed by Rusty Kehl
IWC-JSP-2005-22005; designed by Rusty Kehl
IWC-JSP-2005-32005; designed by Rusty Kehl
IWC-JSP-2005-42005; designed by Rusty Kehl
IWC-JSP-2010-12010
IWC-JSP-2010-22010
IWC-JSP-2010-32010
IWC-JSP-2010-42010
IWC-JSP-2013-12013; 850 made
IWC-JSP-2013-22013; 690 made
IWC-JSP-2013-32013; 850 made
IWC-JSP-2013-42013; 690 made
IWC-JSP-2013-52013; 850 made
IWC-JSP-2017-12017; designed by Bryan Barnes; 750 made
IWC-JSP-2017-22017; designed by Bryan Barnes; 750 made
IWC-JSP-2017-32017; designed by Bryan Barnes; 750 made
IWC-JSP-2017-42017; Staff; designed by Bryan Barnes; 750 made
IWC-JSP-2023-12023; 650 made; designer unknown
IWC-JSP-2023-22023; 500 made; designer unknown
IWC-JSP-2023-32023; 500 made; designer unknown
IWC-JSP-2023-42023; 500 made; designer unknown
IWC-JSP-2023-52023; 500 made; designer unknown

FAKES!!!! All of the patches below are fakes, created without authorization from the council for the purpose of deceiving the collector. Beware of fakes!!!!

Notes from Jason Shull explaining how to tell the difference between the real and fake 75th anniversary shoulder patches: “The most obvious way to tell is the fakes have plastic back. If you cannot see the back look at the far edges of the strip on the real ones they are more pointed and the fakes are more curved. Also if you look at the real ones the border comes together in the middle of the bottom almost in between ‘South’ and ‘Carolina’. Next look at the water to the left of the Indian. The stitching is different between the fake and the real one.” Another distinction is that in the fakes, the red in the feathers in the Indian’s headband is prominent. It is much less prominent in the real patches.

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