Advancement

Advancement is the process by which Scouts progress from rank to rank. Everything done to advance — to earn ranks and other awards and recognition — is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons.

Some Scouts will advance at a different pace. That’s OK.

Some Scouts simply love to camp and hang out with their friends. That’s cool. You’re welcome in our troop. Others may want to challenge themselves, complete requirements and earn the Eagle Scout award. That’s awesome. We’ll do our best to provide every opportunity to make that happen.

Advancement is not a competition. It is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. Advancement is just one of the several methods our troop uses to carry out the aims and the mission of the Boy Scouts of America.

Rank Advancement

There are four basic steps in Scout advancement, and they apply to all six ranks.

  1. The Scout learns. We’re trying more and more to build these learning opportunities into every meeting and campout. The best way to knock out requirements? Attend meetings and outings.

  2. The Scout is tested. When we see that your Scout has mastered a given skill and satisfied a given requirement, we record the achievement in Scoutbook and the Scout records it in his book. It’s OK if Scouts work on requirements outside of meetings and outings, they just need a leader to sign off on it. Approved leaders include Mr. Powers, the Senior Patrol Leader (Chas Summers) and Troop Guide (Tyler Bauche).

  3. The Scout is reviewed. When a Scout completes all requirements for a rank, they appear before a “board of review” composed of parents serving on the troop committee. Their purpose is not to retest the Scout, but to make sure the Scout has met all the requirements, to chat with the Scout about how they feel they are getting along with the troop and its program, and to encourage them to keep advancing.

  4. The Scout is recognized. When a Scout is certified by the Board of Review, they are awarded the new badge of rank as soon as possible, normally in a ceremony at the next court of honor.

A Scout’s Responsibility

All Scouts should possess an official Boy Scout Handbook. It is the Scout’s responsibility (not the parents’) to ensure this book is kept up to date. All the requirements to advance are spelled out nicely near the back of the book. It’s in this book where Scouts record their path toward advancement. This book should be brought to every meeting and every campout.

Merit Badges

There are more than 135 merit badges available in the Scouting program, covering everything from Archery to Cooking to Waterskiing to Wilderness Survival. A total of 21 merit badges must be earned for the Eagle Scout Rank, including 13 specific badges.

While we’ll try and incorporate merit badges into meetings and outings, merit badges are something that each Scout can complete on his own. Of course, there’s a process to do this:

  • Pick a Subject. Have your Scout talk to me about earning a badge that interests them. I can give them the name of a person from a list of approved counselors.

  • Find a buddy. You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor (even if you meet over Zoom). This person can be your parent or legal guardian, or another registered adult.

  • Work on a requirement can be started at any time. A counselor can help you learn the things you need to know or do. You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject. Most are available online through a quick Google search.

  • Get the Badge. When the counselor is satisfied you have met each requirement, he or she will sign your application. They can do this online via Scoutbook or through a “blue card,” the official document counselors need to sign. Turn in the signed application to the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair (Dan O’Neill) so your merit badge emblem can be secured for you.

There is no time limit for starting and completing a merit badge, but all work must be completed by the time a Scout turns 18.

Virtual Merit Badges

A real perk of Covid has been the explosion of online merit badge opportunities. Councils around the country regularly host online merit badge workshops.

The best way to learn about these programs is to follow social media pages like the Virtual Merit Badge Classes Facebook group and BSA Merit Badge Zoom. Just be sure to check and make sure these classes are from a reputable source.

Become a Merit Badge Counselor

The merit badge program isn’t limited to Scouts. Registered adults can become merit badge counselors, which would allow you to sign off on requirements for the boys in our troop. You can be a counselor for up to four merit badges.

Are you an architect? Consider becoming a counselor for Architecture merit badge. Are you a lawyer? Consider counseling Law merit badge. You get the idea.

There are several merit badge counselors in our troop already:

  • American Business: Dan O'Neill

  • Backpacking: Kyle Grate

  • Camping*: Kyle Grate

  • Citizenship in the Community*: Greg Lauter

  • Citizenship in the Nation*: Patrick Powers

  • Citizenship in Society*: Patrick Powers

  • Communications*: Patrick Powers

  • Cooking*: Angela Anderson

  • Disabilities Awareness: Angela Anderson

  • Emergency Preparedness*: Greg Lauter

  • Environmental Science*: Greg Lauter

  • Family Life*: Angela Anderson

  • Fishing: Patrick Powers

  • Sports: Patrick Powers

In conclusion, a Scout’s advancement is up to him. Earn one merit badge or earn them all. Tell your Scout to share his goals with us and we’ll do our best to make them happen.