IS ADVANCEMENT THE GOAL OF SCOUTING?

No, advancement is not a goal of scouting – it is a method of scouting.  In other words, we do not have advancement for the sake of advancement, but we have advancement to help us meet the aims of scouting.  The advancement program is a way to help build character, develop citizenship, and promote fitness. 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ADVANCEMENT?

Personal growth is the prime consideration in the advancement program.  More important than the specific skills of scouting is seeing how the scout has decided to live the scouting ideals in his daily life. 

ARE BADGES AWARDED FOR COMPLETING A TASK?

Scouting advancement is designed to recognize the scout’s abilities – not the mere fact that a task has been completed. 

HOW FAST SHOULD MY SCOUT ADVANCE?

Unlike cub scouts, scout advancement is not based on a grade level.  As such, each scout will progress at his own pace.  This pace will be determined by his own abilities, as well as by the interest of the scout in the ideals of scouting, his participation in troop activities, and the encouragement and support he receives from his parents. 

WHO ESTABLISHES THE ADVANCEMENT CRITERIA?

The criteria for rank advancement and the requirements for merit badges are established by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  On the troop level, we are not allowed to add or subtract to the advancement requirements. 

WHAT IF MY SON HAS A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

There are specific requirements to assist scouts who may have mental or physical disabilities that prevent them from advancing.  For a discussion of these alternate requirements, please talk with the scoutmaster or the troop committee chair. 

HOW CAN A PARENT HELP THEIR SON?

The best help that a parent can provide for their son is to be supportive in the advancement process.  This is especially true when a scout does not “pass” a requirement.  Parents should support the scout and encourage them to continue, while remembering that some of our best lessons can be learned when we falter and then recover.

 

Another way for parents to help their son is to remember that this is the scout’s advancement, not their advancement. 

WHAT ARE THE STEPS OF SCOUT ADVANCEMENT?

There are four steps in all of scout advancement:

A Scout Learns

A scout learns primarily by doing.  This may include teaching skills to other scouts.  Teaching other scouts is a great way to learn the material, while also developing his leadership skills. 

A Scout is Tested

Depending on the rank or merit badge, the scout is tested on how well he can complete the requirements of the rank or badge.  Nothing may be added or subtracted from the requirements. 

A Scout is Reviewed

For all ranks, there is a scoutmaster conference as well as a board of review that must be completed before the rank is awarded to a scout. 

A Scout is Recognized

We try to recognize the scout as soon as he completes any advancement.  In addition, there are formal recognitions provided at Courts of Honor.

 WHAT IS A SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE?

A scoutmaster conference is the opportunity for a scoutmaster to talk with each scout, and to determine how well the scout has been learning the ideals of scouting.  It is a great opportunity to review a scout’s accomplishments, as well as a time to set goals.  It is the Scout’s responsibility to arrange the Scoutmaster conference. 

WHAT IS A BOARD OF REVIEW?

A “Board of Review” consists of committee members who want to see how the scout program is impacting a scout.  They are not to re-test the scout on specific skills required for a rank.  Rather, they are looking to see how a scout has accepted the ideals of scouting, to ensure that all requirements have been met, and to encourage the scout to move on to the next rank. 

 

If a Board of Review feels that a scout is not yet ready to move on to the next rank, they must provide the scout with specific suggestions and goals that will help him qualify for the rank.  To help teach responsibility, it is the scout’s role to work with the scoutmaster to arrange for a board of review. 

WHAT IS A COURT OF HONOR?

Although we try to recognize the scout as soon as he has completed an advancement, three times a year we have a formal opportunity and ceremony to we recognize all scouts who have mad advancements since the last Court of Honor. 

WHAT IS AN EAGLE COURT OF HONOR

Since the achievement of the Eagle rank is an important milestone in the life of a scout and in of the troop, there is a separate ceremony to recognize scouts who have attained the rank of Eagle. 

SCOUT RANK

The first rank earned is Scout.  The joining requirements require the boy to learn the Boy Scout basics:  Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Scout Slogan.   Once the boy completes these requirements, he participates in a Scoutmaster Conference.  The Scoutmaster reviews the boy’s progress, makes sure the boy knows the basics, and then discusses what the boy would like to do in Scouting.

 

TENDERFOOT, SECOND CLASS, FIRST CLASS

                    

The next three ranks concentrate on outdoor, first aid, citizenship, swimming, and patrol skills.  The requirements for these three ranks can be earned in any order, i.e., a scout could complete the cooking requirements for First Class rank before he earns the Tenderfoot or Second Class ranks.  However, the ranks must be earned in order.

 

After completing each rank’s requirements, the scout will then participate in a Scoutmaster’s Conference and a Board of Review.  The Board of Review consists of 3 to 6 Troop Committee members or parents who meet with the scout to determine how the scout is doing and to encourage further advancement.

 

STAR and LIFE

         

The next two ranks require the scout to participate in troop activities, be in a leadership position, perform service hours, and earn merit badges. 

 

EAGLE

The highest rank in Boy Scouts is Eagle.  The requirements are the most demanding and specific.  After being in a leadership position, earning 21 merit badges, participating in troop activities, and completing an Eagle Service Project, the scout will complete an Eagle Application and have a Scoutmaster’s Conference.  The Eagle Board of Review, unlike other ranks, is conducted on the district level.

WHAT IS MEANT BY “ACTIVE PARTICIPATION”?

For certain ranks, there is a requirement that the scout actively participates in his troop and patrol for a specific period of time.  In Troop 228, we have defined “active participation” as attending at least 60% of the events for a particular month.  When a rank calls for participation for a certain number of months, those months do not need to be consecutive.

 

WHAT IS MEANT BY “SCOUT SPIRIT”

All of the ranks require that scouts demonstrate scout spirit in their daily lives.  During a scoutmaster conference, the scout and the scoutmaster will discuss if the scout is indeed demonstrating the ideals and values of scouting in his daily life.

 

HOW DOES MY SON RECEIVE A “POSITION OF LEADERSHIP”

The higher ranks require scouts to participate in a position of leadership for their patrol or troop.  This can be an elected position (for example, SPL, ASPL, patrol leader, quartermaster, scribe), or an appointed position (examples of these would be Librarian, Den Chief, Instructor).  It can also be a special leadership position developed by the Scoutmaster. 

 

HOW WILL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS QUALIFY FOR RANK ADVANCEMENT?

Our goal is to help scouts grow.  A scout will have specific jobs within the troop and will perform that job to the best of his ability.  An integral part of a Scout’s growth is the ability to accept tasks of increasing responsibility and perform those tasks competently. 

 

Credit for rank advancement will be given to any scout who, during his leadership position, shows that he is “doing his best”.  If a scout is having problems with his leadership responsibilities, the Scoutmaster will work to help the scout be successful.  However, in some cases, particularly if a scout is not receptive to suggestions for improvement, a scout may be removed from his leadership position.  In those cases, the scout will receive credit for those months that he was in the leadership position.

 

WHAT ACTIVITIES QUALIFY FOR SERVICE PROJECTS?

Leadership and service are important methods of the scouting program.  As such, for certain rank advancements a scout must perform service projects.

 

For a service project to qualify, it must first be approved by the scoutmaster.  There can be no “double dipping” for service projects (for example, an hour spent doing service project for the Forestry merit badge can not also qualify for an hour toward the Second Class requirement). 

 

WHO CAN SIGN OFF RANK ADVANCEMENT?

For the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class, a scout will be reviewed and tested by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, or senior scouts approved by the Scoutmaster.

 

As a general rule, parents are not allowed to sign off their own scouts for rank advancements. 

WHAT ARE MERIT BADGES?

Merit Badges are an excellent way for Scouts to learn important Scout skills in more depth, as well as an opportunity to explore many different careers and hobbies.  It's not uncommon for a Scout to select a career or life long hobby from his experience with the merit badge program.

 

WHEN CAN A SCOUT WORK ON MERIT BADGES?

Scouts may work on merit badges at any time.  However, they are not required for advancement through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.  Therefore, until a Scout has completed First Class, his time is better spent focusing on the requirements of the first three ranks rather than earning lots of merit badges. 

 

HOW DOES A SCOUT START WORKING ON A MERIT BADGE?

Scouts who are interested in a merit badge must first check with the Scoutmaster.  He will provide the scout with a list of approved merit badge counselors.  The scout will then contact the merit badge counselor, and make initial arrangements to meet with and work with the merit badge counselor.

 

HOW LONG DOES A SCOUT HAVE TO COMPLETE A MERIT BADGE?

If a Scout does not complete a merit badge with the counselor that he starts with (such as completing only part of the requirements during summer camp), the Scout has until his 18th birthday to complete the merit badge with another counselor.  The Scout must then ask the Scoutmaster for the name of another counselor.  In all cases, the final counselor who signs the completed merit badge application has the obligation to ensure that the Scout has properly completed the merit badge.  It is up to the counselor how much work with a prior counselor will be accepted. 

 

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

We encourage all parents to register as a merit badge counselor.  There are over 100 different topics and areas where you can share your knowledge and skills with the scouts of our troop and community

 

To register as a merit badge counselor, please check with the Committee Chair for a registration form.  There will also be a brief orientation to help you better understand your role as part of the merit badge program.

 

WHAT ABOUT PARENTS WORKING WITH THEIR OWN SCOUTS

In general, it is not always a good idea for parents to counsel merit badges with their own sons.  However, there may be circumstance where this may be beneficial.

 

All scouts must first have the approval of the scoutmaster to work with a merit badge counselor.  If a scout wants to work with his own parent, the scoutmaster will make the decision based on the best scouting interests of the scout.  In those cases where the scoutmaster has approved a scout working with his parent, it must be in “group” setting to alleviate charges of bias.