Advancement

Advancement is the process by which youth members progress through ranks in the Scouting program by the gradual mastery of Scouting skills. Ranks are simply a means to and end, and not an end in themselves.

All Scouts need to initate the request to be tested for all rank advancements.

Scout

This is the first Scoutmaster Conference that a new scout sets up with the Scoutmaster. The Scout requirements are in the Scout Handbook. The steps are simple and include:

  • The new scout should review these requirements which includes completing the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide which is in the front of the Handbook.
  • Setup an appointment for a Scoutmaster Conference with your Scoutmaster.
  • Attend the Scoutmaster Conference in full uniform.

This should be within the first two weeks of joining. A parent or guardian must stay during the Scoutmaster Conference.

When a scout has completed the Scoutmaster Conference, they will be presented the Scout Award at a troop meeting soon thereafter.

Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class

Scouts are tested by another scout First Class or higher who has attended the ILST Training. Usually this person would be their Patrol Leader. Older siblings can help a younger sibling learn the material but should generally not sign off brothers.

A registered trained troop scouter can sign for rank advancement only in circumstances approved by the Scoutmaster.

A scout may work on ranks simultaneously but must earn them in sequence. The steps for advancement are:

  • For each rank, complete all the requirements except Scout Spirit, Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review.
  • Scout Spirit will be reviewed with the Scoutmaster during the Scoutmaster Conference and will be signed-off if appropriate.
  • Contact the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster Conference. A full uniform, including proper patch placement, is required for all Scoutmaster Conferences. NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • Upon successful completing a Scoutmaster Conference, a scout must contact the Advancement Chair to schedule a Board of Review. A full uniform, including proper patch placement, is also required for all Boards of Review. NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • Upon completion of the Board of Review, the Scout Handbook is brought to the Troop Records Administrator to update the troop database.

The Scout Handbook is brought to all conferences and reviews. The book is signed if the scout has demonstrated that they are prepared for the next step.

When a scout has completed the Board of Review, they will be presented the rank at a troop meeting soon thereafter.

Star and Life

The troop database is the official record of merit badges and troop leadership time. The scout will need to get the official troop record form from the Troop Records Administrator for the Scoutmaster Conference. This form will stay with the scout until the advancement process is completed. After the Board of Review, it is returned with appropriate signatures to the Records Administrator.

When a scout has completed the Board of Review, they will be presented the rank at a troop meeting soon thereafter.

Eagle

The Eagle Scout Candidate will follow the instructions in the Eagle Project Workbook provided by the National Scout Council.

The Eagle Scout Project proposal will be approved first by both the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee and then by the District's Eagle Project review team. The Eagle Board of Review will be set up upon final review of the completed project and merit badges by Council.

Eagle Palms

For each set of 5 merit badges past those required for Eagle, Scouts have to opportunity to be further recognized by a Bronze Palm (5 merit badges), a Gold Palm (10 merit badges) and a Silver Palm (15 merit badges).

Merit Badges

Merit badges are a very important part of advancement toward the final step of Eagle. Proper procedure in getting them is also important. Some merit badge counselors have certain ways that they want the work done and will not accept the work if not done in that manner. In order to save your time and perhaps disappointment, please follow the proper procedure for getting your merit badges.

Obtain an application for a merit badge (blue card) from the Scoutmaster.

Call your assigned counselor before you start. Let the counselor know you are working on that merit badge and ask how they want it done.

When the work is complete, call your counselor for an appointment to have it approved. You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. This person can be another scout, your parents or guardian, a brother or sister, a relative or a friend.

After approval, turn your blue card in at a troop meeting so you can get your badge and have it recorded in the troop database.

Soon after you have turned in your blue card, the troop will present you with your merit badge and the Applicant's Record portion of the blue card signed. This portion of the blue card is your proof of work done so keep it in a safe place.

All appointments with counselors must be in full uniform. Some counselors will refuse to see you if you are not, even if you do have an appointment. Make sure you are on time. It's better to be five minutes early than three minutes late.