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Boy Scout Advancement

The Boy Scout advancement program is subtle.  It places a series of  challenges in front of a Scout in a manner that is fun and educational.  As  Scouts meet these challenges, they achieve the aims of Boy Scouting.

The Scout advances and grows in the Boy Scout phase of the program in the  same way a plant grows by receiving nourishment in the right  environment.   The job of adults concerned with advancement is to provide the right  environment.

One of the greatest needs of young men is confidence.  There are three kinds of confidence that young men need:  in themselves, in peers, and in leaders.

Educators and counselors agree that the best way to build confidence is  through measurement.  Self-confidence is developed by measuring up to  a  challenge or a standard.  Peer confidence develops when the same measuring system is used for everyone - when all must meet the same challenge to receive equal recognition.  Confidence in leaders comes about when there is  consistency in measuring - when leaders use a singe standard of fairness.

No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from any advancement requirement.  A Boy Scout badge recognizes what a young man is able to do; it is not a reward for what he has done.

Standards for joining a Boy Scout troop and for advancement are listed in the  latest printing in the Boy Scout Handbook and the current Boy Scout  Requirements book.

Advancement accommodates the three aims of Scouting:  citizenship, growth in moral strength and character, and mental and physical development.

The advancement program is designed to provide the Boy Scout with a chance to  achieve the aims of Scouting.  As a Scout advances he is measured and grows in confidence and self-reliance.

When a badge and certificate are awarded to a Boy Scout to recognize that he has achieved a rank, they represent that a young man has:

Been an active participant in his troop and patrol.
Demonstrated living the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life.
Met the other requirements and/or earned the merit badges for the rank.
Participated in a Scoutmaster conference.
Satisfactorily appeared before a Board of Review.

In the advanced ranks (Star, Life, and Eagle), the badge represents that the young man has also:

Served in a position of responsibility in the troop.
Performed service to others.

Four Steps of Advancement
A Boy Scout advances from Tenderfoot to Eagle by doing things with his patrol and his troop, with his leaders, and on his own.  It's easy for him to advance if the following four opportunities are provided for him.

  1. The Boy Scout learns.  A Scout learns by  doing.  As he learns, he  grows in ability to do his part as a member of the patrol and the troop.  As he develops knowledge and skill, he is  asked to teach other; and in this way he begins to develop leadership.
     
  2. The Boy Scout is tested.  A Scout may  be tested on hand requirements by his patrol leader, Scoutmaster, assistant  Scoutmaster, a troop committee member, or a member of his troop.  The  Scoutmaster  maintains a list of those qualified to give tests and to pass  candidates.  The Scout’s merit badge counselor teaches and tests on the requirements for merit badges. 
     
  3. The Boy Scout is reviewed.  After a Scout  has completed all requirements for a rank, he has a board of review.  For  Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Palms, the review  is conducted by members of the troop committee.  The Eagle Scout board  of review is conducted in accordance with local council procedures.
     
  4. The Boy Scout is recognized.  When the board of review has certified a boy’s advancement, he deserves to receive  recognition as soon as possible.  This should be done at  a ceremony at the  next troop meeting.  The certificate for his new rank may be presented later  at a formal court of honor.

Age Requirements
Boy Scout awards are for young men not yet 18 years old.  Merit badges,  badges of rank, and Eagle Palms are for registered Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or qualified Venturers.  Any registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout may earn  these awards until his 18th birthday.  Any Venturers who achieves the First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout in a troop or team may  continue working for the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks and Eagle Palms  while registered as a Venturer up to his 18th birthday.

 Youth members with special needs may work toward rank advancement after they are  18.  (See Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures, section titled “Advancement for Youth Members With Special Needs”, page 38.)

Time Extensions
If a Scout or a Venturer foresees that he will be unable to complete the requirements for the Eagle  rank prior to his 18th birthday, he may  file a petition in writing with the National Boy Scout Committee through the  local council for special permission to continue to work toward the award after reaching age 18.  The petition also may be filed by the unit leader or unit committee.  The  petition must show good and sufficient evidence and detail the extenuating circumstances that prevented the Scout from completing the  requirements prior to his 18th birthday.  Extenuating  circumstances are defines as conditions or situations that are totally beyond  the control of the Scout or Venturer.

If circumstances should also prevent a Scout or a Venturer from requesting the extension before he is  18, it is still permissible to ask for the extension, detailing the extenuating circumstances that prevented him  form completing the requirements and from requesting the extension before age 18.

Troop Advancement

Goals
The Scoutmaster must be in charge of advancement in the troop.  It is  necessary that the  Scoutmaster understand the purpose of the advancement program  and the importance it has in the development of the Scouts in the troop.  The troop’s program must provide advancement  opportunities.  By participating in the  troop program, the Scout will meet requirements for rank advancement.

The troop’s unit commissioner and the district advancement committee can play an important part in explaining advancement and helping the Scoutmaster utilize the advancement program in the troop program, making it exciting to the Scouts in the troop.

It is important that the troop committee and the Scoutmaster set an advancement goal for the year.   A basic goal should be for each Scout to advance a rank during the year.  New Scouts should become net contributors to the troop and are able to care for themselves and other.  When  reviewed monthly by the troop committee, Scouts will recognize the importance of advancement.  Troops should conduct boards of review for Scouts who are not  advancing.  A minimum of four  formal courts of honor a year (one every three months) should be held to formally recognize the Scouts in the troop.

Presentation of merit badges and rank badges should not  await these courts of honor; awards and badges should be presented at the next meting after they have been earned.  Scouts are recognized again at a formal  court of honor.

Scoutmaster Conferences
One of the most enjoyable experiences of being a Scoutmaster is the  opportunity for a Scout and his leader to sit down and visit together.

In large troops, Scoutmasters occasionally assign this responsibility to assistant Scoutmaster or  members of the troop committee; but  this is unfortunate, because most Scoutmasters feel that this is truly the  opportunity to get to know the Scout and help him chart his course in life.

A good conference should be unhurried.  It helps the Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set  new goals with his Scoutmaster.  This can  be accomplished at a troop meeting, camping trip, or in the Scout’s home.

Goal setting by the Scout makes it possible for the  Scoutmaster to help the Scout with his weaknesses and encourage him to use his  strengths.

The Scout (joining) conference is probably one of the most important associations the Scout will have in his Scouting career.  It is at this conference that the Scoutmaster illustrates to him the adult-youth  relationship that is unique to Scouting.

All through the ranks, it is rewarding for the Scoutmaster to observe the Scout grow in responsibility and maturity.  It is through this  association and example that a young man grows and matures, and the Scoutmaster  conference accomplishes that aim.

(See Scoutmaster Handbook, chapter 10.)

Record Keeping
Each troop is responsible for keeping its own records and reporting  advancement to the local council  service center.  This is done on an Advancement  Report form.  One copy is kept by the troop and two are sent to the council with an order for badges and awards.  It is best that this form be submitted at least monthly so that troop records remain current and Scouts are able to receive  their awards quickly after earning them.  Awards cannot be purchased or awarded  until the Advancement Report has been filed with the council office.  A  Troop/Team Record Book, maintained by the troop scribe, is available.

At the discretion of the local council, computer-generated Advancement Reports may be used.  If used, two copies of the computer-generated report must be submitted to the council service center.

Training
A unit of training, Boy Scout Advancement, is available for instruction in how to carry out the  advancement program.

Service Projects

Second Class Rank
For the Second Class rank, a Scout must participate in a service project or  projects approved by his  Scoutmaster.  The time of service must be a minimum of one hour.  This project prepares a Scout for the more involved service projects he must perform for the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks.

Star and Life Ranks
For Star and Life ranks, a Scout must perform six hours of service to  others.  This may be done as  an individual project or as a member of a patrol or  troop project.  Star and Life service projects may  be approved for Scouts assisting on Eagle service projects.  The Scoutmaster approves the project before it is started.

Eagle Scout Rank
For a service project to qualify as an Eagle Scout service project, the  Scout, while a Life Scout, must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in  a service project benefiting any religious institution, school, or community.  These projects, of course, must conform to the wishes and regulations of  those  for whom the project is undertaken.

The Eagle Scout service project provides the opportunity for the Eagle Scout candidate to  demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting.  He does the project outside the sphere of Scouting.

As a demonstration of leadership, the Scout must plan the  work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion.

Service to others is important.  Work involving council  property or other BSA activities is not acceptable for an Eagle Scout service  project.  The service project also may not be performed for a business, or be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser.

Routine labor, a job or service normally rendered, should  not be considered.  There is no minimum number of hours that must be spent on  carrying out the project.  The amount of time spent must be sufficient for the Scout to clearly demonstrate leadership skills.

The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook No. 18-927, must be used to meet this requirement.

The Scout must secure the prior approval of his unit leader, his unit committee, and the benefactor of the project.  The project must also be reviewed and approved by the district or council advancement committee  or their designee to make sure that it meets the stated standards for Eagle Scout service projects before the project is started.  This preapproval of the project does not mean that the board of review will approve the way the project was carried out.

Upon completion of the project, the Eagle Scout Service  Project Workbook, properly filled out, is submitted with the Scout’s Eagle application to include the following information.

    -        What was the project?

    -        How did it benefit other?

    -        Who from the group benefiting from the project gave guidance?

    -        Who helped carry out the project?

    -        What materials were used and how were they acquired?

 Although the project idea must be approved before work is begun, the board of review must determine the manner in which the project was  carried out.  Questions that must be addressed include: 

    -        Did the candidate demonstrate leadership of others?

    -        Did he indeed direct the project rather than do all of the work himself?

    -        Was the project of real value to the religious institution, school, or  community group?

    -        Who from the group benefiting from the project may be contacted to verify the value of project?

    -        Did the project follow the approved plan or were modifications needed to  bring it to its completion?

 All the work on the project must be done while the  candidate is a Life Scout and before the candidate’s 18th birthday, unless a time extension has been allowed.

The Eagle Scout service project is an individual matter; therefore, two Eagle Scout candidates may not receive credit for working on the  same project.

The variety of service projects performed throughout the nation by Scouts earning their Eagle Award  is staggering.  For ideas and  opportunities regarding service projects, the Scout can consult people  such as  school administrators, religious leaders, local government department directors, or a United Way agency’s personnel.

The district or council advancement committee also can be  helpful by identifying possible projects.

Appealing a Decision
Two sets of circumstances may lead to the appeal of a decision.

First, if the unit leader or unit committee does not recommend the Scout for a board of review, or if  the unit leader or unit  committee does not sign the Eagle Scout application, the Scout or other interested party may appeal the decision at the next level.

Second, if the appropriate board of review does not  recommend the applicant for the rank  advancement, the decision may be appealed  to the next higher level.  The Scout, his leader, or his parents may appeal the decision.  With all appeal applications, the final decision rests with the  national Boy Scout Committee.  In ascending order, levels are unit, district,  local council, and national Boy Scout Committee.

On receipts of an appeal, the district or council committee  responsible for advancement will provide  for a prompt review to determine the facts.  All parties must be interviewed either individually or as a group, but a confrontation should be avoided.  A written report with all details must be  prepared for the committee responsible for a decision or for forwarding to the  national Boy Scout Committee if necessary.

All appeals to the national Boy Scout Committee must be  processed through the Scout’s local council.  A copy of the Scout’s Eagle  Rank Application must be included when petitioning at the national level.

Courts of Honor
Each time a Scout advances in rank, he should be recognized on two occasions.  The first should  occur as soon as possible after a Scout has been approved by a board of review and an Advancement Report has been filed with the council office- preferably at the next unit meeting.  This  ceremony should be dignified but simple, involving not much more than presenting the Scout with his new badge of rank.

The second occasion is a court of honor, a public ceremony to recognize Scouts for successful  achievement and to describe the importance of  the program.  The main purposes of the court of honor are to furnish formal  recognition for achievement and to provide incentive for other Scouts to  advance.

Formal courts of honor should be conducted at least four times a year.  All Scouts who have  advances since the previous court of honor are honored.  Their parents and friends should be invited to attend the  ceremony.

When a Scout has earned the Eagle Scout rank, he deserves a  special recognition.  The Eagle Scout ceremony may not be conducted until the  action of the board of review has been approved by the national Eagle Scout Service.

Procedures for conducting courts of honor and special First  Class and Eagle Scout courts of honor are described in Troop Program Resources,  No 33588.

Badges of rank, merit badges, and Eagle Palms are  restricted items. These items may not be sold or  distributed unless theAdvancement Report, No. 34403A, has  been properly filled out and has been submitted to the local council office.  To do otherwise will jeopardize individual youth members’  record of achievement.

Advancement in Summer Camp
In developing council procedures for handling Advancement Reports and  distributing badges,  remember that many Boy Scout advancement opportunities should be given to ensure that the procedures include summer camp.

The procedures for advancement in summer camp are  established by the council advancement  committee prior to the opening of camp.  This procedure must include the four processes of advancement- learning, testing, reviewing, and recognition.

The camp program director will organize program staff, specialists, commissioners, and department  heads in such a way that the program in camp is completely operative from the beginning of the camp season.  These procedures should be given to each troop as part of precamp orientation.

The program director is responsible for assuring that all  program equipment relating to advancement is available for use.

 Camp staff members should be prepared and available to  assist unit leaders in teaching and testing Scouts on Tenderfoot, Second Class,  and First Class requirements.

Camp merit badge counselors must be qualified.  Camp staff members who are qualified in the  subject and are younger than age 18 may assist the merit badge counselors with instruction.  The merit badge counselor or instructor in a particular subject should be available to both individuals and  groups.  Because of the need for continued practice in some subjects, it will be necessary to meet candidates at a certain time each day.  For other subjects, it may be necessary to meet as a group once or twice during the week.

Each counselor must maintain the exact standards as  outlined in the merit badge requirements -nothing deleted, nothing added-  and make himself or herself available at the time most convenient to the Scouts.  Partial completion of merit badges should be credited to a Scout on the Application  for Merit Badge and given to the Scoutmaster at the end of the week.