Troop 764 Advancement Page

The Boy Scout advancement program encourages boys to meet significant challenges that lead to personal growth. Advancing in rank and earning merit badges are a fundamental part of the Scouting experience. This section of the troop website contains an overview on advancement that Scouts, adult leaders, and parents should consult regularly. The information contained here includes not only BSA policy but also council, district, and troop procedures. Please use this resource - it’s been developed for you!

Understanding Advancement

Advancement is all about learning. The learning that goes into work on rank requirements and merit badges can come from any of a number of places:

· At troop meetings (skills instruction)

· On troop outings (outdoors)

· From other Scouts

· As an individual

· With other people (e.g., merit badge counselor)

· Outside of Scouting

The Four Steps of Advancement

There are four basic steps in the Boy Scout advancement program:

1. A Scout learns (through rank advancement and merit badges).

2. A Scout is tested (by older Scouts and adult leaders).

3. A Scout is reviewed (in a Scoutmaster conference and board of review).

4. A Scout is recognized (in a court of honor).

Tracking Advancement

It is the responsibility of both the Scout and the adult leaders to track advancement.

· Scout takes the initiative to learn, seeks out learning opportunities, keeps good records

· Adult leaders encourage advancement, provide the tools for the Scout to succeed

Good advancement tracking is very important. It can make the difference between a highly motivated Scout and a dispirited one. Troop 764 maintains computer records of each Scout’s advancement history. But it’s also up to the Scout to keep his own records and make sure they match the troop’s official records.

Service Projects

Service to others is a key concept in Scouting, and it assists in character and citizenship development. A Scout may participate in a service project that benefits his community, school, or religious organization: on his own, with another Scout, as a member of this troop or patrol, or by assisting in an Eagle Scout project. The Scoutmaster must approve service projects in advance.

Four ranks include a requirement for service projects:

· 2^nd Class 1 hour

· Star 6 hours

· Life 6 hours

· Eagle Approved Eagle Scout service project

Other Advancement Opportunities

BSA offers many other opportunities for Scouts to improve their skills and serve others. For more information, please consult the latest version of Boy Scout Requirements.

· Firem’n Chit

· Totin’ Chip

· World Conservation Award

· Den Chief Service Award

· Religious Emblem

· 50 Miler Award

· Historic Trails Award

· Hornaday Award

· Lifesaving and Meritorious Awards

· Interpreter Strip

· Leave No Trace

· Paul Bunyan Woodsman

· BSA Lifeguard

· Mile Swim, BSA

· Boardsailing BSA

· Snorkeling, BSA

Special Needs Scouts

A Scout who is unable to complete any or all of the requirements for a rank or merit badge because he is physically or mentally disabled may complete alternative requirements if certain specific criteria are met. For more information, please consult the latest version of Boy Scout Requirements and discuss with the troop advancement chair.

Advancement Resources

· Boy Scout Requirements. The definitive source for current requirements for all ranks, merit badges, and other advancement opportunities. A new edition is published annually. Since requirements may change from year-to-year, it’s important to follow information in the current year’s book. The cover is olive green. (In the 90’s, it had a bright yellow cover.)

· Boy Scout Handbook. An excellent resource. The Handbook provides great background information on rank advancement, especially through 1^st Class.

· The Scoutmaster Handbook Another great resource that explains the why’s and how’s of advancement for Scout leaders.

· Merit Badge pamphlets. These booklets provide almost everything you need to know to complete a merit badge (other than your effort and time!). Every merit badge has its own pamphlet. Popular ones are available in the troop library. Others can be purchased at the Scout Shop. Warning: these pamphlets can become out-of-date when BSA makes changes to a merit badge. Always check the latest version of Boy Scout Requirements before you get started to be sure you’re using the most-up-to-date merit badge pamphlet.

· Meritbadge.com. A great online resource. Lists all current requirements for rank advancement and merit badges.

· Eaglescout.org. An essential resource for Life Scouts on their way to Eagle.

Important Guidelines to Remember:

1. Know where you stand with your advancement.

Do you have only one or two requirements left to complete 2^nd Class? Do you have a requirement that takes 30 days to start and finish? Do you have no clue where you stand? There are lots of resources and people to help - but ultimately it’s up to you!

2. Do exactly what the requirements say:

"You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated - no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements. If it says ‘show or demonstrate,’ that is what you must do. Just telling about it isn’t enough. The same thing holds true for such words as ‘make,’ ‘list,’ ‘in the field,’ and ‘collect,’ ‘identify,’ and ‘label.’"

3. Use the resources available - printed materials, online resources, and people.

4. Take the initiative. Before asking a question,

o Check the website first.

o Then contact the appropriate advancement committee member.

5. Don’t wait until the last minute to get requirements reviewed and checked off - whether it’s just before the Scoutmaster conference, board of review, or court of honor. This puts undue pressure on Scouts and adults alike.

Troop Advancement Committee

The troop advancement committee is responsible for managing a range of activities and events. Thanks for those who willingly volunteer to serve on this committee:

· Chair

· Vice Chair

· Merit badge Coordinator

· Boards of Review Coordinator

· Courts of Honor Refreshments Coordinator

· Life-to-Eagle Advisor

So You Know Advancement?

Test Your Skills!

General Topics

True or false:

Learning that occurs outside a Scout setting does not count toward rank or merit badge advancement.

False. Learning can occur anywhere and can be applied to the boy’s advancement in Scouting.

Tracking advancement is totally the Scout’s responsibility.

False. It is the responsibility of both the Scout and the adult leaders to track advancement.

Unmotivated Scouts won’t advance no matter what opportunities you give them.

False. Everyone can advance in varying degrees if opportunities and encouragement are provided them.

Getting to Eagle Scout should be the focus of every Scout joining the troop.

False. The purpose of joining a troop is to have FUN - which adventure and advancement help provide. Getting to Eagle should be a byproduct of the Scouting method, not the reason someone joins a troop.

Special needs Scouts must strictly adhere to standard requirements.

False. Alternate requirements are available for special needs Scouts.

There’s no need to buy the latest edition of Boy Scout Requirements, since the book rarely changes.

False. Requirements for ranks and merit badges do change, and these are contained in the latest Boy Scout Requirements book. It is not a good idea to rely on old versions of this book.

Ranks and merit badges are the only recognized advancement awards in BSA.

False. There are many other awards available for Scouts to earn beyond ranks and merit badges.

Boy Scout Advancement