Beads are handed out to the Scouts for activities in which they participate. They are first given a totem to wear on their Scout belt. Two leather thongs hang off the totem, and Scouts slide the beads on the thongs to display their accomplishments. There is a bead for just about every activity the Scouts do, plus some special ones.
The key below explains which color bead a Scout receives for an activity and how many beads are needed to trade up to a larger bead. For each activity, a Scout will earn one bead for every attribute that applies. For example, if a Scout camps outside and the temperature drops below freezing, the Scout will be awarded both a blue bead (troop campout) and a purple bead (camping outside below 32 degrees).
Patrol activities should be pre-approved. District or council events, such as the Klondike Derby, camporees, etc., refer to events sponsored by District K or the Northern Star Council. Long-term means three or more days camping in a row, such as Many Point Scout Camp. Events that take place in the rain or snow require the weather conditions to cause some inconvenience, and need for rain wear. Sleeping under the stars means no overhead shelter. Service projects must be at least thirty minutes long and must be pre-approved by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster.
| Awarded For | Type of Bead | # to Trade Up | Next Bead Level | # to Trade Up | Next Bead Level |
| Patrol activities | Clear | 3 | 1/2″ round clear | ||
| Troop campouts | Blue | 10 | Blue boot | ||
| District/council events | Green | 3 | 1/2″ round green | 5 | Green boot |
| Training/special events | Orange | 3 | 1/2″ round orange | 5 | Orange boot |
| Long-term camp | Yellow | 2 | Yellow boot | ||
| Events with rain or snow | Black | 3 | 1/2″ round black | 5 | Black boot |
| Service projects | White | 3 | 1/2″ round white | 5 | White boot |
| Sleep outside below 32° | Purple | 3 | Purple boot | ||
| Rank advancement | Red | 3 | 1/2″ round red | 2 | Eagle claw |
| Roundtable | Brown | 3 | 1/2″ round brown | 5 | Brown boot |
| Sleep under stars | Star | 3 | 1/2″ flat star | ||
| High adventure | Gold | ||||
| 2+ day canoe trip | Yellow canoe | ||||
| Philmont | Red boot | ||||
| Order of the Arrow | Arrowhead |
Scouting 141 