How does advancement work in Boy Scouts?

Advancement is one of the methods that is used to deliver the aims and purposes of Scouting. All boys are encouraged to advance, because it gives them recognition for accomplishment, teaches them useful skills, and gives them a benchmark by which to measure their progress.

Unlike Cub Scouts, where all boys advance in rank by age or grade, Boy Scout advancement is not tied to a specific timetable. There are boys who advance to Eagle by the age of fourteen, and there have been some who reach age 18 without advancing higher than Tenderfoot. For a boy to get the most out of the Scouting program, however, we encourage him to complete First Class rank within a year or so of joining.

A boy advances through the first few ranks (Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class) by mastering scout and life skills of increasing complexity. As he completes requirements, he'll have his book signed by another scout (see a separate FAQ entry on this), complete his Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review, and be recognized for his achievement. Boys may work on all three ranks simultaneously, but they must be awarded in order.

The next ranks, Star and Life, require completion of varying numbers of merit badges, including some that are required for the rank of Eagle, along with service hours and fulfilling a leadership role in the troop.

The highest rank, Eagle, requires completion of 21 merit badges, of which 12 are required and the rest electives, development and execution of a service project involving supervision and leadership of others, and holding a position of leadership in the troop. The process is more complicated, and the rank is awarded by the national organization rather than the local council.

Who keeps track of a scout's advancement?

He does! Although the Troop keeps advancement records once advancements are completed, a large part of the Scouting experience is for the boys to learn responsibility for their own advancement. The Scout Handbook should be taken on almost all Scouting events, and the Scout should be aware of what requirements are outstanding. Generally, nobody is going to tell him he needs requirement such-and-such until it is noticed that he's not been advancing for a long period of time and he's called into a conference with the Scoutmaster.

When do service hours count? How many do I need?

Service hour participation predominates the higher ranks (First Class and above). However, Second Class requirement 4 requires "Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project". Service projects are also counted as Troop "events," which many newer scouts need for advancement. The Star rank requires participating in service projects totaling at least six hours. These must be approved by the Scoutmaster in advance. Excess service hours worked for a specific rank do not carry forward to the next rank.

One common question about whether service projects "count" or not is the question of "double dipping." Sometimes schools, clubs, churches or other groups require a certain number of service hours. Our Troop's rule is that if you've received credit for your service hours from a different institution, then you cannot count it again ("double-dipping") for Scouts.

Whether it "counts" or not, participation in service projects is a large part of a boy's demonstration of living the Scout Oath and Law, and is strongly encouraged.

What is the Merit Badge process?

The Merit Badge program helps the scouts learn career skils, develop physical fitness, and provide hobbies that give a lifetime of healthful recreation. Merit badges must be earned with the assistance of a Council-approved registered Merit Badge Counselor. A scout who would like to earn a merit badge talks to the Scoutmaster (or one of the assistant Scoutmasters), who will assign a counselor and issue an Application for Merit Badge, commonly called a "Blue Card".

• The Scout fills out the first part of the blue card and has the Scoutmaster sign it.
• The scout contacts the Merit Badge Counselor and sets up a schedule for earning his merit badge.
• The Merit Badge Counselor will sign off individual requirements until the merit badge is completed.

(In keeping with youth protection rules, a scout never meets alone with a merit badge counselor. He must bring a buddy when he goes to meet with his counselor, or must meet in a public setting, such as at a Scout meeting, mall or coffee shop, etc.)

The blue card is divided into three sections:

• The Merit Badge Counselor holds his part of the card as a record for at least one year.
• The Scout keeps the middle third (the "Applicant's Record") at home in a safe place such as a binder.
• The last section goes to the Scoutmaster to be signed, after which the scout gives it to the Advancement Chair to be recorded in the troop and Council records, and to obtain the Merit Badge itself, which is awarded at the next Court of Honor.

Keep your rank cards and merit badge cards in a safe place! There have been incidents where cards are lost accidentally by troops. If there is any question as to whether a scout has earned a merit badge, the scout's signed portion of the Blue Card is positive proof. We recommend getting plastic trading card sleeves and a three ring binder to hold the cards. This can be a place to record camping nights, merit badge write ups, etc. It's also a good idea to photocopy your cards and keep them in a safe place.

Can a scout work on merit badges by himself or with his family?

A scout has to follow the procedure above for earning a merit badge, or work on merit badges at summer camp, merit badge clinics or classes conducted within the troop. In all cases, he must have Scoutmaster approval and a Blue Card before beginning. A parent cannot counsel his son unless he is also a registered Merit Badge Counselor for that particular merit badge. It is not recommended that a parent be his son's counselor unless the parent is teaching a class or clinic for the troop, camp or outside organization, or if there is no other counselor for that merit badge in the Ottawa District. It is up to the discretion of the Scoutmaster as to whether to allow a particular counselor to counsel a scout.

There are many reasons why a boy's parent may not be a suitable Merit Badge Counselor for his son. Chief among these is that the merit badge process is intended to give the scout experience in dealing with people outside his circle of acquaintences. It can be a challenge to pick up the phone, call a trustworthy adult whom the scout has never met before, and ask him or her to be his counselor, but within that challenge is a character-building experience that will prepare him for the associations he will have later in life.

How can I become a Merit Badge Counselor?

Any adult over 21 can be a Merit Badge Counselor and help scouts with one or more of the over 120 merit badges available. All that is required is a knowledge of the subject area through experience, work, hobby or other means.

What can parents do to help with their son's advancement?

One of the biggest things you can do for your son is to encourage him to keep working and to help him remember all of our Troop activities on our calendar. Write important dates on your family's calendar. Keep track of his advancement progress via his book. Remind him of items he still needs to complete. Encourage him to talk to his Patrol leader so they can review what he needs to get done. You can also work with your son on rank advancements, although you cannot sign them off. You certainly can, however, help prepare him to demonstrate what he's been working on and get those things signed off at a meeting by the appropriate person (usually, another scout of high enough rank).

How can I find out what the current requirements are for a rank or merit badge?

Who can I talk with if I have any advancement-related questions?

You or your son can always talk with the Scoutmaster or one of the assistant Scoutmasters if you have a question about a particular requirement. You can also talk with the Advancement Chair if you have a question about whether an advancement has been recorded or any other advancement-related issue.