V. ADVANCEMENT
Scout advancement is designed to measure and recognize achievement. Advancement recognizes the Scout’s
achievement and encourages him to continue his efforts. It also encourages younger Scouts to participate and earn
similar recognition.
The ultimate goal of the advancement idea is to help a boy grow and develop to attain the aims of Scouting. The
fundamental principle of advancement is that the boy’s progress is a natural outcome of activities with the Troop.
A. RANK - SCOUT TO FIRST CLASS
Advancement is an integral part of the Troop program, both indoors and out. As Scouts take part in Troop programs,
they learn skills and, in doing so, are helped to advance.
The advancement path from Scout to Tenderfoot to Second Class to First Class is based on the fundamental skills of
Scouting such as: Citizenship, Camping, Hiking, Cooking, First Aid, and other outdoor skills.
B. RANK - STAR TO EAGLE
Scout advancement is progressive. As a boy moves from rank to rank, he is challenged to learn and grow.
Advancement from Star to Life to EAGLE requires the mastery of knowledge and skills through earning Merit badges.
Twenty-one are needed (eleven required) for EAGLE.
There are more than 120 different merit badges available to the Scout. Each is related to a career, hobby, or skill.
They are aimed at helping a boy discover his abilities and interests. The badges cover a wide variety of subjects and
may lead a Scout to a lifetime career or hobby.
Advancement for Star, Life, and EAGLE also requires:
· Active participation in Troop meetings and camping.
· Active service in an elected Leadership position.
· Participation in service projects for Star and Life.
· Planning and Leadership of a service project for Eagle.
· Scouting spirit – living by the principles of the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and Motto.
C. SCOUTMASTER’S CONFERENCE
The Scoutmaster or Asst. Scoutmasters will have conferences with a Scout throughout his years in Scouting. From
these meetings, the Scoutmaster will get to know the Scout, learn the boy’s expectations and strengths, and design the
Troop program to meet the needs of the boys more effectively.
D. BOARD OF REVIEW
Scout advancement measures performance against a standard in the mastery of skills. It is not competitive. Competition
has its place in Scouting, but not in the advancement program. The Scout, through a board of review, has his
advancement reviewed against the standard.
He is reviewed, not tested, to see if he understands what he has learned. Is he living up to the Scout Oath and Law? Is
he demonstrating leadership (Star, Life and EAGLE)? Is he giving service to others? The board has three purposes:
1. To make sure that the skills have been learned and the requirements completed.
2. To see what kind of experience the Scout is having in his patrol and Troop.
3. To encourage the Scout to advance to the next rank.
The board of review, for all ranks, are conducted by at least three members of the Troop Committee. The EAGLE Board
of Review is conducted by members of the District Advancement Committee, with at least two members of the Troop
Committee.
E. RECOGNITION
Scouts are recognized for advancement:
1. During the Troop meeting when they complete a badge or rank, their achievement will be announced & they will
receive their badge.
2. Court of Honor -- Scout will receive each badge and rank earned, just prior to, in this formal ceremony. Activities
planned by the Scouts & their input on previous camp outs will be announced, as requested by the Scoutmaster.
F. COURTS OF HONOR
Troop 977 holds a formal Court of Honor and parent’s night every three (3) to four (4) months to recognize each Scout
who has advanced in rank or received a badge since the last such event. These are normally held on a Monday night in
place of a regular Troop meeting and are normally held at the church, but may be held outdoors in the summer (such
as Camp Russell).
Those who should attend include:
· All Scouts - whether they are being recognized or not.
· All Adult Leaders and Troop Committee members.
· All parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and other relatives.
Courts of Honor are a good opportunity for parents to see and hear what the Troop has been doing for the past three
months and what is planned for the next several months. It is also an opportunity to talk with adult leaders and get
answers to questions.
Courts of Honor for Scouts achieving EAGLE rank are normally a special event, arranged by the Eagle Scout's parents
with the help of the Leaders. All Scouts in the Troop, parents of Troop members, Troop leaders, Scouts from other
Troops, Webelos Dens, and friends of the EAGLE Scout are invited to attend.
G. RECORD KEEPING
The basic responsibility for keeping track of his advancement is the Scout himself. This is done by having his
Scoutmaster, Asst. Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, or Senior Patrol Leader sign off his completion of
requirements in his Boy Scout Handbook. The Scout then needs to take his book to a member of the Advancement
Committee for recording so he can receive the badge he has worked for.
Asst. Scoutmasters are responsible for scheduling and coordinating Monday night skills and Merit Badge training
sessions. If a Scout needs help with a particular skill or badge:
· Older Scouts (First Class and above) can teach skills.
· Patrol parents can teach skills for merit badges.
· Asst. Scoutmasters can teach or arrange for a Merit Badge Counselor to teach merit badge skills.
Badges and skills can be worked on at camp outs or at other times - not just during Troop meetings.
H. PARENT PARTICIPATION
One of the strong attributes of a Boy Scout Troop is to give the Scout the opportunity to learn to work with others. This
includes fellow Scouts, Leadership Scouts, and adults. Therefore, parents should work with their son on requirements
for a Merit Badge or advancement requirements, but the Scout should then go to his Senior Patrol Leader or a member
of the Troop Leadership for approval and sign-off in his book.
Requirements of a Merit Badge that require a Scout to do an activity at home must have a parent send a note with a
description of the activity & have it signed or that parent may attend the next meeting to verbally tell the Advancement
Committee of the completed requirement.