Advancement

Council Advancement Policy

The BSA 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.

Information from National on Scout awards and advancement

Awards & Recognition

BSA Awards Central

The BSA Awards Central website is the Boy Scouts of America's repository for information about official awards and recognition. This is where the most up-to-date information about BSA-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 BSA 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

Interested in becoming a Merit Badge Counselor, know someone would be a good Merit Badge Counselor?  Click here to learn more