RANK ADVANCEMENT
Advancement is an important part of Scouting. It is a measure of your growth and progress.
- Each Scout should keep his own personal advancement record and record of service hours, campouts, troop activities and leadership positions in his copy of The Boy Scout Handbook.
- The troop also keeps advancement records electronically in Scoutbook.
- Scouts may work on advancement with fellow Scouts, Scout Leaders, parents and merit badge counselors.
- Scouts may work on advancement on their own, in a patrol, at selected Troop meetings, and during some Troop functions/outings.
- Scout skills for Scout rank through First Class can sometimes be worked on before a troop meeting with an Assistant Scoutmaster and a Troop Instructor or Scout that needs to meet his EDGE requirement.
- Scout skills can be mastered by reading, doing, understanding, and through repeated practice, even after the skill has been “signed off.”
SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE
- A Scoutmasters Conference is required for each rank advancement.
- This conference is an opportunity for a Scout to review his accomplishments required for each rank and to discuss his future goals.
- A Scout does not have to wait until he has completed requirements for another rank to request a Scoutmaster conference.
- To count towards rank advancement, however, a Scoutmaster Conference must take place after all other requirements are complete and before the Board of Review.
Steps to Plan fore requesting a Scoutmaster Conference
- Before requesting a Scoutmasters Conference, a Scout should review his handbook so he is prepared for the meeting.
- Scoutmaster Conferences for the skills ranks (Scout through First Class) may be conducted by the Scoutmaster or any Assistant Scoutmaster within the troop.
- Scoutmaster Conferences for the ranks of star through Eagle will be scheduled with the Scoutmaster.
BOARD OF REVIEW
- A Board of Review is required for each rank advancement (with the exception of “Scout Rank”).
- After completing the requirements and getting approval through a Scoutmaster Conference, you must contact the Scout Advancement coordinator(s) to request a Board of Review.
- Boards of Review are setup by the Troop Committee Chair and are scheduled for a Thursday evening at a Troop meeting.
- Scouts should be dressed in full Class “A” uniform.
- Scouts should bring their Boy Scout Handbook.
- Your review will discuss your trail to Eagle, quiz you on required knowledge and skills for your rank, and evaluate you in terms of troop activities and preparedness for the new rank.
- Scouts are encouraged to provide feedback to the Troop Committee about activities and his scouting experience.
RECOGNITION
Troop recognition of rank advancement and merit badges are presented during a formal recognition at a Court of Honor with family and friends present. The Troop typically holds two Court of Honors eachg year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall.