Everything you have ever wanted to know about Advancement!
(Work in Progress - frequently asked questions on separate page)
Scouts need to complete requirements in order to advance in rank: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle. See the linked pages for specific activities required for advancement.
The requirements are more or less miscellaneous for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class, while those for Star, Life and Eagle include doing service hours, completing merit badges, and holding a position of responsibility within the troop. Scoutmaster conferences are held with each scout before advancement occurs and can happen at any time during the year. A board of review determines if a scout has completed requirements for rank advancement.
Scoutmaster Conference
The Scoutmaster Conference is an informal conversation between Scout and Scoutmaster toward a certain goal or as a requirement for advancement. In either case, open-ended questions are used to prompt the Scout's comments. The conference is conducted by the trained Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters. It is required for rank advancement, but can be conducted more often.
Objectives of the Scoutmaster Conference
1. Review the scout’s performance in the troop: rate of progress, leadership quantity and quality, give him critical feedback.
2. Ascertain his likes and dislikes about the program and the troop and scouting in general. Assure him that we will try to do better.
3. Affirm that he knows the requirements and what he needs to do for next rank and agree on a tentative time frame for doing it.
4. Give him a little encouragement and practice for the BOR he’s about to face.
More detailed description of scoutmaster conferences here.
Board of Review (BOR)
After a scout has completed requirements for any rank advancement, he appears before a Board of Review (BOR): The BOR's purpose is to determine the quality of the scout's experience and decide whether the scout has fulfilled requirements for rank advancement. Boards are comprised of 2-3 volunteer adults.
Scouts should wear their Class A uniform to a BOR, bring their scout book, and be prepared to discuss the requirements for the rank as listed in the back of book (which always includes reciting the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan).
Training information for adults conducting a Board of Review.
Court of Honor
Court of Honors are held twice a year and are a formal recognition of achievement (merit badges awarded, rank advancement) as well as a celebration of all that we have done over the year.