ADVANCEMENT
Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. Scouts plan their own advancement and progress at their own pace as they meet each challenge. Scouts are recognized and rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank and is the method by which we promote and encourage the ongoing involvement and commitment that keeps members coming back for more. It works best when it is built into a unit's program so that simply participating leads to meaningful achievement and recognition—and to a continually improving readiness for more complex experiences.
It Is a Method—Not an End in Itself
Advancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. It is one of several methods designed to help unit leadership carry out the aims and mission of the Boy Scouts of America.
Advancement Is Based on Experiential Learning
Everything done to advance—to earn ranks and other awards and recognition—is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons. Members learn and develop according to a standard. This is the case from the time a member joins and then moves through the programs of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing or Sea Scouts.
Experiential learning is the key: Exciting and meaningful activities are offered, and education happens. Learning comes from doing. For example, youth may read about first aid, hear it discussed, and watch others administer it, but they will not learn it until they practice it. Rushing a Scout through requirements to obtain a badge is not the goal. Advancement should be a natural outcome of a well-rounded unit program, rich in opportunities to work toward the ranks.
It is important to note, as with any educational opportunity, a rank or award is not the end of the learning process. In Scouting, after a requirement has been passed, the Scout is placed in practical situations that build retention through repeated use of skills. For example, a Scout plays games that feature the skills, teaches other Scouts, and perhaps practices the skills in "real-life" outdoor experiences. A well-rounded and strong unit program takes advantage of these kinds of opportunities, using them to improve retention through practical application.
Personal Growth Is the Primary Goal
Scouting skills—what a young person learns to do—are important, but not as important as the primary goal of personal growth achieved through participating in a unit program. The concern is for total, well-rounded development. Age-appropriate surmountable hurdles are placed before members, and as they face these challenges they learn about themselves and gain confidence.
Learning Scout skills and concepts through active participation is a vehicle for personal growth, but it is not the primary goal. For example, learning how to tie a knot, plan a menu, swim, or administer first aid may turn out to be critical in one's life, but they are secondary to the goal of personal growth that comes with learning. As Scouts learn skills and are tested on them, and then reviewed and recognized, they develop confidence. They come to realize they can learn and do other similar things. The retention of Scouting skills and knowledge is important, of course; but for retention to take place, it will be because Scouting skills and knowledge are used in our programs.
Success is achieved when we fulfill the BSA Mission Statement and when we accomplish the aims of Scouting: character development, citizenship training, leadership, and mental and physical fitness. We know we are on the right track when we see youth accepting responsibility, demonstrating self-reliance, and caring for themselves and others; when they learn to weave Scouting ideals into their lives; and when we can see they will be positive contributors to our American society.
Advancement Requires Mentorship
Though certainly goal-oriented, advancement is not a competition. Rather, it is a joint effort involving the adult leaders, the youth members, other volunteers such as merit badge counselors or Venturing consultants, and the family. Though much is done individually at their own pace, youth often work together in groups to focus on advancement at Cub Scout den meetings, for example, or participate in a Scouts BSA camp out or Sea Scout cruise. As they do this, we must recognize each young person's unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. As watchful leaders, either adult or youth, we lend assistance as called for and encourage members to help each other according to their abilities.
From Cub Scouting through Venturing and Sea Scouts, we put the methods to work. Together they lead to mission fulfillment. For example, the methods of the Scouts BSA program are Scouting ideals, the patrol method, advancement, adult association, outdoor program, the uniform, personal growth and leadership development. Scouting ideals, put forth in the timeless instruments of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, represent the most basic method. Moving on, we know young people want to belong to groups. Throughout the Scouting program, we provide a place where the sense of belonging is an outcome of practicing skills, exploring interests, learning values, forming friendships, and enjoying adventure. Associations within families and with a variety of adults are critical too, especially in terms of providing support and recognition and in developing mutual respect.
Merit Badge Requirements & Workbooks
https://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/list.asp
SCOUTS BSA TROOP 109 MERIT BADGE PAMPHLET LIBRARY
Ranks in Scouts BSA
IN ORDER TO JOIN SCOUTS BSA, YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 10 YEARS OLD, CURRENTLY IN THE FIFTH GRADE, AND REGISTER ON OR AFTER MARCH 1; OR HAVE COMPLETED THE ARROW OF LIGHT AWARD AND ARE AT LEAST 10 YEAR OLD; OR ARE AGE 11 BUT HAVE NOT REACHED AGE 18.
Once you are a Scout, your rank is no longer related to your age or grade. Instead, you earn ranks by developing and demonstrating required skills and knowledge.
There are two phases of advancement for Scouts. In the first, from Scout through First Class Scout, you'll advance by learning Scoutcraft skills, working as a part of a team, and becoming more self-reliant. In the second phase, from Star Scout through Eagle Scout, you'll advance as you develop leadership skills, earn merit badges, and perform valuable community service.
SCOUT
TENDERFOOT
SECOND CLASS
FIRST CLASS
STAR
LIFE
EAGLE
The first rank, SCOUT, is earned by demonstrating a basic knowledge of Scouting ideals and symbolism along with several commonly used knots.
TENDERFOOT, the second rank, recognizes new skills in Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth, and Scout Spirit. To earn the Tenderfoot rank, you'll spend the night in a tent you help pitch, begin learning first aid, assist in preparing a camp meal, and begin learning to use and care for camp tools like a knife, saw, and ax.
To earn the SECOND CLASS rank, you'll expand your Scoutcraft skills, spending more nights outdoors, building a campfire, planning and cooking camp meals, the using a compass and map, identifying wild animals and plants, and developing swimming and water rescue skills. You'll also perform community service and begin learning about things like earning and saving money.
Requirement for the FIRST CLASS rank include continuing to build on the Scoutcraft skills learned for the Second Class rank, plus learning about weather, the use of a GPS unit, canoeing or kayaking, more advanced first aid and rescue techniques, and civic concerns like constitutional rights and obligations.
STAR SCOUT, the third-highest rank, is awarded when you have served actively in your unit in a position of responsibility for at least four months, performed at least six hours of community service, and earned six merit badges.
LIFE SCOUT is awarded when you have served in a position of responsibility for six months and performed at least six hours of community service. You must also earn five more merit badges.
EAGLE SCOUT is the highest rank attainable. To become an Eagle Scout, you must earn a total of 21 merit badges and demonstrate Scout Spirit, service and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that you will plan, organize, lead, and manage.
Advancement Resources
https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/resources/
