Advancement
Council Advancement Policy
The Scouting America Guide to Advancement is the first source for all Advancement questions and can be found at https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf. Other specific information can be found under the Advancement Tab at the top of this page.
There are four basic steps in Scout advancement, and they apply to all seven ranks.
Step 1: The Scout learns. They learn Scouting skills by taking an active, hands-on part in troop and patrol meetings and outdoor programs. This learning, as we said above, is the natural outcome of their regular Scouting activities — their “on-the-job” training.
Step 2: The Scout is tested. When their leaders see that the Scout has mastered a given skill and satisfied a given requirement, they tell them so — and record the achievement.
Step 3: The Scout is reviewed. When a Scout completes all requirements for a rank, they appear before a “board of review” composed of members of 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 of course to encourage them to keep advancing.
Step 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 troop meeting. The Scout should be recognized again at the troop’s next court of honor.
Information from National on Scout awards and advancement
Awards & Recognition
Scouting America Awards Central
The Scouting America Awards Central website is the Scouting America's repository for information about official awards and recognition. This is where the most up-to-date information about Scouting America-related awards may be found, including award applications and nomination forms. Visit the site at https://www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central/.
Council Awards
There are several Council Awards available for recognizing leaders, they are normally due in February. Alumni Awards are also available and have various due dates throughout the year. You can find more info on both categories of awards and the requirements for them here.
Reporting Advancements, Training, and Awards
Keep your Scouting America File Up to Date. Contact the Council Advancements, Training, and Awards Coordinator.
Cub Scout Advancement
Arrow of Light/Cross Over Ceremonies
The Arrow of Light is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn. Help ensure it is a memorable ceremony by checking out the ceremony books that are available at your local Scout Service Center or online. Don't forget to invite your local Scout Troop to help with the ceremony. Some chapters of the OA can also help by conducting a ceremony in Indian regalia. Contact your Lodge Adviser for more information, they will put you in contact with your local Chapter Adviser to coordinate.
Scouts BSA Advancement
Eagle Scouts
When a Scout or Venturer earns their Life Rank they begin to work on the remaining requirements for the Eagle Scout Rank. Troops/Crews should assign a mentor, e.g., Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chair, Crew Advancement Chair, etc., to mentor and "enable" the Scout or Venturer through the remaining requirements for the Eagle Scout Rank. Troops/Crews are encouraged to call/e-mail the District Advancement Chair to coordinate a Life to Eagle Seminar for its Scouts/Venturers, Scouters, and parents. The seminar will outline the policies and procedures for completing the requirements for the Eagle Scout Rank.
The Scoutmaster, entire Troop/Crew Committee, and the District Advancement Chair must approve Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project plan before any work can begin toward the project. The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook must be used to document plan and all work accomplished during execution of Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. Contact the District Advancement Chair to make arrangements for a review of Scout's/Venturer's Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project plan. The District Advancement Chair will schedule the Eagle Scout Board of Review only after confirmation from Far East Council that all required paperwork, e.g., Eagle Scout Rank Application, Letters of Recommendation, Statement of Ambitions, Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, etc. are complete with all required signatures. The latest Eagle Scout Project Workbook can be found here.
Adams Service Project Award
The National Eagle Scout Association has established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. The award recognizes the Scout for their Eagle Scout service project, which is part of the requirements for earning the Eagle Scout Award. Each local council will choose a council-level winner, and from that pool each region will pick a region-level winner. From the four regional finalists, an overall winner will be selected. Learn more about it from the National Eagle Scout website.
Merit Badge Counselors
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