Advancement and Merit Badge Requirements
With so many new boys joining Troop 6 we thought it would be a good idea to explain how
our program follows the BSA advancement policies.
The focus of our troop meetings for a long time has been to work on advancement requirements: tenderfoot, second class, and first class for the younger boys, and merit badges for the older scouts. It’s worked. Our scouts have advanced, and they’ve stayed with the program.
We plan to keep this approach.
The requirements for tenderfoot, second class, and first class are designed to give the new scout a well-rounded scouting experience. For that reason, until a scout reaches first class, we want him to focus on doing the work to reach that level. There’s plenty of time for merit badges after that (and, before that, at summer camp).
More than half our scouts advance to Life and Eagle, compared to maybe ten percent nationally. Because so many go so far, it’s tempting for an outsider to ask if we cut corners in approving advancement. To our knowledge, no reviewer has ever questioned whether a Troop 6 scout has earned his awards fairly. We believe that’s because we’re known for following the BSA advancement policies very carefully. Explanation of how we do that follows.
1. Advancement requirements for tenderfoot, second class, and first class are approved by an appropriate registered person: scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster, senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, or patrol leader. This is a major change from cub scouts, in which parents approve advancement requirements. We teach the things the scouts need at the weekly meetings, and pass them when they’ve mastered the topics. If parents want to help their kids at home, that’s great. We encourage it. But, we ask each scout to demonstrate his skill at a meeting before we sign off.
2. A merit badge counselor acceptable to the local council must approve merit badges.
The scoutmaster or assistant scoutmaster must approve the application (blue card) before the scout begins working with the counselor. The counselor will test the scout on all requirements for the particular badge. There’s no provision in BSA policies for automatically passing a merit badge based on experience outside scouting. For example, getting an “A” in American history class doesn’t automatically qualify you for the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge; a backpacking trip with family or friends doesn’t automatically qualify you for the backpacking merit badge; canoeing at YMCA camp doesn’t qualify you for the canoeing merit badge. These experiences can help you learn what you need to pass the badge requirements. But, you have to demonstrate your ability to perform the specific requirements to an approved counselor.
Certain merit badges are required for Eagle. These are the badges we work on at the meetings.
We recruit parents to teach these badges in a class environment. Because this is “meeting work”
we ask that scouts plan to work on these badges at the meetings, under normal circumstances.
Certain badges are offered at Yawgoog. Those badges tend to require special skills (swimming, canoeing, lifesaving, etc.). Several are on the required for Eagle list. Our policy about Yawgoog badges is:
-Waterfront badges- swimming, lifesaving, canoeing, rowing, and small boat sailing- have to be earned at Yawgoog or another scout camp. These badges require specialized training in both the skill itself, and first aid. Our experience has proven that the camp instruction is excellent, that the classes are big enough to accept everyone interested, and that all scouts who attend class, do the homework, and apply themselves can earn the badge, regardless of their ages.
-Shooting sports badges- rifle, shotgun, and archery- are somewhat different. If appropriate arrangements are made in advance, we will allow groups of scouts to work on these badges outside of the Yawgoog experience. “Appropriate” includes instructor qualifications, structured program, and training facilities. Casual shooting in the woods on the weekend would not meet the definition of appropriate.
-Fishing skill is widespread. We’ll gladly work with any scout who wants to earn this badge outside of camp.
-We’ll handle other Yawgoog badges on a case by case basis.
Excluding the required badges, and those offered at Yawgoog, there are nearly one hundred other merit badges that scouts can work on. If a scout is interested in one of these, we ask that he consult one of us to identify an appropriate counselor. Very often, it turns out to be a parent (often his own) who has certain expertise in that field. To those parents, we ask this: in return for the troop accepting your approval of your son’s badge, we ask that you be willing to work with any Troop 6 scout who’s interested in that badge, and that you schedule any classes so they won’t interfere with work on required badges being done at the weekly meetings.
3. The requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class include participation in non-meeting troop activities, including camping trips. Camping with family and friends, and attending Yawgoog in the off season with your school class does not fulfill these requirements. They have to be done with the troop. Also, “camping” means living outdoors in a tent you’ve set up yourself, and eating meals prepared by yourself, or as part of a team. For those reasons, summer camp at Yawgoog does not fulfill a camping requirement. The ski trip and West Point trip are troop activities. But, they are not camping trips.
4. Most rank advancement includes a service requirement. With this in mind, the scouts should take advantage of these opportunities as they arise in scouts, school, church, or anywhere else in the community.
5. Leadership is part of the requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle. Simply holding a job title is not being a leader. You have to perform. Part of that performance includes participating in troop events. We’ll be providing more specific guidance on this to the older scouts.
6. In addition to the technical requirements, living up to the Scout oath and law is included in the requirements for every rank. In other words, good behavior, at scout functions, at home, and in school are a part of your advancement requirements. Bad behavior will prevent you from advancing until it’s corrected.