Silver Buffalo Award: Jay Fox

Created in 1925, the Silver Buffalo Award for distinguished service to youth is the highest honor presented by Scouting America. It recognizes individuals whose extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication have made a lasting impact on youth at the national level. Scouting America recently announced the 2026 recipients of this prestigious award and we are proud to celebrate Virginia Headwaters Council’s own Jay Fox as a member of the Silver Buffalo Award Class of 2026. Congratulations to Jay on this well-deserved recognition!

Only 904 individuals have ever received the Silver Buffalo Award and Jay is just the third recipient from our council in its 99-year history, highlighting the rarity and significance of this honor. The award itself features a silver buffalo medal suspended from a red and white ribbon worn around the neck. Recipients may also wear the corresponding square knot, a white strand over a red strand, on their Scout uniform.

Jay Fox’s dedication to expanding and enhancing camping and aquatics opportunities for young people truly embodies the service, leadership, and impact recognized by this prestigious award. This honor reflects his exceptional commitment to supporting youth, inspiring positive change, and upholding the highest ideals of Scouting and community service. His leadership brings distinction not only to himself, but also to the Virginia Headwaters Council and the mission we proudly share. Jay will be formally presented with the Silver Buffalo Award at Scouting America’s National Annual Meeting this May.