Advancement

Youth teach youth, typically using EDGE methodology (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide and Enable)

Flow of Rank Advancement

• Youth show skills to a trained youth of higher rank, who can sign the Scout handbook

• Youth or parent enters this information into Scoutbook

• Once all rank requirements are completed and signed off, youth asks the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster conference

• After successful conference, youth asks the Advancement Chair or Committee Chair for a Board of Review (BoR)

• After successful BoR, the rank is earned and will be recognized at the next opportunity, such as the next Court of Honor

Merit Badges

Merit badges provide exposure to a variety of life skills

• Typically, a youth will not start working on merit badges until earning the 1st class rank - however, youth often work on merit badges at their first summer camp, which is fine as long as their focus remains on learning Scout skills and earning their 1st class rank.

• Youth identifies a merit badge to earn, then gets a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster, fills out the card and gets a signature from the Scoutmaster

• If the youth does not already have a merit badge counselor, then the Scoutmaster can provide guidance on finding an appropriate counselor

• Once all merit badge requirements are completed and signed off on the Blue Card, the youth gives the completed Blue Card to the Scoutmaster

• Youth or adult enters this information into Scoutbook

• Once Awarded the merit badge, keep your portion of the Blue Card, as this will likely be needed for submitting their Eagle rank application. 

Eagle-required merit badges are completed at Summer Camp or by a Troop 132 counselor; deviations need to have prior Scoutmaster approval.

Court of Honor

Advancement is publicly recognized at a Court of Honor, occurring quarterly. These are youth-led and include a potluck dinner with family and friends. Topics include:

• Rank Advancements

• Merit Badges

• Other Awards

• Campouts

• Fun