| ADVANCEMENT There are many definitions of advancement, but the Scouting definition might well be, simply, "the art of meeting a challenge." For that is exactly what the Boy Scout advancement program asks the Scouts to do. The Boy Scout advancement program provides a ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at his own pace. As he acquires these skills he moves up through a series of ranks, for which he is awarded badges. Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The higher he climbs the more challenging his tasks -- and the more rewarding. Achievements include: · Learning skills that qualify for Scouting’s more rugged and exciting outdoor challenges. · Developing body and mind, growing self-confidence, and helping younger Scouts climb the advancement ladder. · Discovering how it feels to go further -- in so many ways -- than he ever thought he could. We don’t look at advancement as a goal, but as a natural outcome of a planned, quality troop program. There are four steps of advancement: · The Boy Scout Learns. · The Boy Scout is Tested. · The Boy Scout is Reviewed. · The Boy Scout is Recognized. The Boy Scouts of America believes that a Scout should receive recognition for his achievements. The requirements of Tenderfoot through First Class prepare Scouts to take full advantage of all that Scouting has to offer. In addition, advancement provides a pattern of setting positive goals and reaching them throughout life. It is the responsibility of the Scout to INITIATE the advancement. The Adult Leaders are dedicated to teaching each Scout individual responsibility and initiative in plotting his course up through the ranks. This is accomplished at each Scout meeting, Scout outing, Scoutmaster Conference, during Boards of Review (advancement into next rank). Details for advancement are contained in the Boy Scout Handbook, which every Scout should obtain as soon as possible after joining the troop. |
| RANK ADVANCEMENT The current Boy Scout Handbook is the most important item for a Scout to have. It explains everything about Scouting and is fun to read. Each Scout is required to keep track of his own advancement, and the troop keeps records on each Scout. The Scoutmaster and other leaders are available before, during and after the meetings to go over any advancement. The new rank is awarded the following week after all requirements are completed. We also recognize the Scout at the next Court of Honor. The ranks of Scouting and the requirements to advance through them are described in the Boy Scout Handbook (pages 438-449- Boy Scout Handbook, 11th Edition). To attain the higher ranks in Scouting, Scouts must acquire certain merit badges. Some of these are specified (such as those from the Eagle merit badge requirement list) and some can be chosen from the complete list according to the Scout’s own interests. (See the Boy Scout Handbook, pages 598-619, as well as the current Boy Scout Requirements book available through the Troop Librarian, to make choices.) Scouts may also be required to show other skills and/or participate in service projects. No Scout will have his requirement signed off by a related adult or guardian. Every Adult Leader who signs off requirements is required to be registered with the Boy Scouts of America or pre-approved by the Scoutmaster. One of the requirements common to all ranks is to show Scout Spirit. That means to obey the Scout Law and Oath to be a worthy member of the troop. ADVANCEMENT THROUGH FIRST CLASS From the time the Scout enters the troop through the time he earns advancement to First Class, he is learning basic Scouting skills to enable him to camp, hike, swim, cook, tie knots, administer first aid, and perform other tasks in the outdoors and to work as a member of a team. With those first steps the Scout begins to build themselves physically, mentally, and morally. He will start to live with the Scout Oath and Law. Soon he will learn the symbolism inherent in the Scout badge; he will learn that there are three points of the trefoil, which stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath: Duty to God and country, duty to other people, and duty to yourself. The goal of this troop is for the Scout to achieve the rank of First Class within his first year in the troop. This is a sign that the Scout has mastered the fundamentals of Scouting and can begin to start the long process of learning to lead others, refining the learned skills and learning additional skills. ADVANCEMENT FROM FIRST CLASS TO EAGLE From the achievement of First Class through Eagle, the Scout will be demonstrating leadership, performing service projects, earning merit badges and using the skills learned while achieving the rank of First Class. The next ranks he will earn are Star and Life. These ranks are harder to obtain than the earlier ranks, but are also more interesting for the older Scouts. Upon completion of all the requirements for Star and Life the Scout will be eligible to work for Eagle. The original principals, the Scout Oath and Law now have fuller meaning for the Scout and their understanding of them is much greater. The final steps towards Eagle are filled with leadership experiences. SCOUT SPIRIT The ideals of the Boy Scouts of America area spelled out in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto, and Scout Slogan. Boy Scouts and adult leaders incorporating these ideals into their daily lives are said to have Scout Spirit. SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE This is an informal discussion with the Scoutmaster or designated Assistant Scoutmaster, about the standards the Scout has met. When a Scout has completed all the requirements for his new rank he must contact the Scoutmaster to make an appointment for a Scoutmaster Conference. The Scout must be in Class “A” Uniform and bring his Boy Scout Handbook to the conference. The conference is just “plain talk” with the Scout about his Scouting, home and school life. The conferences are used to make sure the Scout has completed all the requirements of the rank he is seeking. |