Regular advancement is essential for the boys to grow and to maintain an interest in the program, and is one of the most important parts of Scouting. The extent to which a boy participates in the advancement program largely governs the benefit he gains from membership and the length of time he stays in Scouting. Advancement is one of the programs that help boys achieve the aims of scouting while learning skills, which will be beneficial throughout his life. It takes a unique combination of self-induced boy motivation, strong encouragement from parents, and a Troop and district support organization to make it happen. It is very important that goals for advancement are established for each boy by working with the SPL, ASPLs, PLs, and key adults.
A major part of attaining the higher ranks – Star, Life and Eagle – is leadership. The boys learn and exhibit instruction, persuasion, delegation, consulting, counseling, and motivation skills and general maturity in specific positions for a minimum period of months in each rank. But you must perform your duties in this leadership position. You will not demonstration leadership and pass the leadership requirement if you hold a position but don’t perform the duties.
For those scouts who continue their commitment to personal excellence, the reward is to become an Eagle Scout. The Eagle badge commands respect, not just in the young years in scouting, but throughout life’s journey. To earn this award, a young man has shown that he has purpose and perseverance well beyond most of his peers.
Note to Parents: Parents are cautioned that advancement should not become the sole reason a parent keeps a Scout in Scouting. Parents should encourage their son to make advancement in scouting his own personal goal rather than his parent’s goal. Scouts, not parents, should make the routine telephone calls to Troop leaders and Merit Badge Counselors concerning advancement, appointments and attendance. Part of the Scouting experience is for Scout to learn how to deal with adults.
1.7.1 Levels of Rank Advancement
Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class All three ranks can, and should, be worked on all at once, though each must be earned in sequence. The goal is for all new scouts to reach the rank of First Class by the end of their first year of scouting. The emphasis is on practical learning experience in five major categories –
- Outdoors,
- Physical Fitness,
- Citizenship,
- Personal Development,
- Troop/Patrol Participation.
Skills are signed off by the Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Instructor, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or Scoutmaster. A Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review made up of Troop Committee members (3) finalize the process.
Star and Life These involve earning a total of eleven merit badges, performing service work, and serving in a position of leadership. Merit badges may be earned in coordination with qualified counselors. Troop Committee members (2) conduct the Board of Review for these ranks, with a representative from the Troop’s District Council.
Eagle. Eagle requires a total of twenty one merit badges (included several from the ‘Eagle required’ list in the Boy Scout Handbook), a leadership position, plus completion of a pre- approved community service project involving the planning and leadership of a number of scouts. The Santa Clara County Council has established standards and procedures for all boys going up for the Eagle rank. The Council conducts the review process. Note: A scout must complete all requirements for the Eagle rank, including the Board of Review BEFORE his 18th birthday.
1.7.2 Service Projects
Service projects serving for advancement shall be a service project not normally expected of a boy as part of his religious or school activities. The work may be done by the scout alone or with other scouts, his patrol or Troop. The service should not be part of a project the Scout is already doing outside of scouting. The intent is getting the scout to do things not normally expected of him as a Troop member or as a member of his family. He should be reaching out in new ways to help others. The Troop has a Service Project Coordinator who assists in providing opportunities for the boys to reach out into the community.
1.7.3 Merit Badges
Listings of merit badges that are available to be earned by scouts are included in the Boy Scout Handbook. Requirements for each merit badge can be found in a BSA Publication called “Merit Badge Requirements” or can be found on-line. There are also individual booklets for each merit badge, which provide detailed information/instruction on each requirement of the merit badge. Many of these publications are available online, and as boy advance or earn the merit badge, they are encouraged to place the publication in the Troop library for future scouts to borrow, or they can be purchased at the Scout Shop. Some of the merit badges are required to be earned by the scout in order to achieve the rank of Star, Life or Eagle. The Troop has access to many merit badge counselors to coach them of specific badge requirements. It is encouraged for the parents of our Scouts to become counselors so they may share their knowledge of a specific topic such as biology, electricity, etc..., This is often an easy way for parents to become involved with the Troop and any assistance in this regard is welcomed. Counselors can register with the Advancement Chairperson. The list of available counselors can be obtained from the Troop librarian or the Advancement Chairperson.
1.7.4 Guidelines to Pass Requirements
Advancement is a process. Scouts will not learn skills and be tested for achievement during the same meeting or event. Knowledge retained over a period of time shall indicate sufficient learning has taken place. This time period varies based on the complexity of the requirement. For example, knot tying can be demonstrated a week after it was learned, but cooking or fire building, may involve several campouts and attempts before completing the requirement.
The language of the requirement determines the kind of testing. If it says: tell, describe or explain, then words alone will suffice. If it says: show, demonstrate or identify, then the scout must do that. If it says write then something on paper is required.
1.7.5 Attendance
In order to advance, regular attendance at Scout activities is expected, including Monday Troop meetings. In the event a scout is unable to attend, he is responsible for notifying his patrol leader in advance of his absence. Weekend outings are an important part of the scouting process and it is difficult, if not impossible, to meet the aims of the scouting program or to advance without attendance at these outings. More importantly, the outings are the main source of fun and skill development for scouting, including leadership. The Troop will publish a schedule of planned activities well in advance to assist families in their scheduling.