Advancement

BSA Troop 147-Holland, MI

Advancement

The Boy Scouts of America believes that a boy should receive recognition for his achievements. The requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot through First Class prepare boys to take full advantage of all that Scouting has to offer. Earning merit badges allows them to explore many fields, helps them round out their skills, and perhaps introduces them to subjects that will become lifelong interests and rewarding careers. In addition, advancement sets a pattern of setting positive goals and reaching them throughout life. Star, Life, and Eagle requirements focus on service to others and developing leadership skills.

Rank Advancement

As a scout progresses through their scouting career, they will begin with the modest requirements to be a Scout, onto the extremely ambitious requirements to be an Eagle Scout. Specific requirements for each rank are located in the current Scout Handbook. Importantly, the Scout handbook also includes virtually all information needed in order to master the required skills. Further, there are on-line video instructional materials for Tenderfoot through First Class available here.

In troop 147, requirements for Scout and Tenderfoot may be signed off by either the Troop Guide, or any scoutmaster (i.e., either the Scoutmaster or any of the Assistant Scoutmasters). For all other ranks, only scoutmasters may sign off on completion of requirements.

How it works

You decide you'd like to complete a particular advancement requirement. For the early ranks, it is a good idea to try to get at least one signoff each troop meeting and several each outing — but it takes some preparation!
You study the relevant portions of the Scout Handbook and/or the online video to learn the skill required. If you need help, you can ask your patrol leader or any other scout who has advanced at least to the rank in question.
Once you have mastered the skill in question, you need to seek out one of the scoutmasters (or, for Scout and Tenderfoot requirements, your Troop Guide) and ask them to test you on the skill. You can do this at the weekly meetings, on outings, or you can try to schedule another time convenient to both of you to do it. If you don't know who the troop's scoutmasters are, simply ask your patrol leader or any of the more experienced scouts.
Once all rank requirements are completed except Scout Spirit, the Scoutmaster Conference, and the Board of Review, you need to complete the Scout Spirit Form.
After you've completed the Scout Spirit Form, ask one of the scoutmasters for a Scoutmaster Conference. This will just entail sitting down with one of the scoutmasters and having a friendly chat about how things are going.
Once you've completed the Scoutmaster Conference, you need to sign up for a Board of Review. At a Board of Review, a few adults simply verify that you've met the requirements for the rank. Once you complete the Board of Review, you have earned the rank!

If you ever have any questions about any steps in this process, ask your Patrol Leader!

Merit Badges

Advancement to the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle requires several merit badges. You do NOT have to wait until you are First Class to start earning merit badges! See here for a description of the Merit Badge program.

How to earn a merit badge

Review the requirements for the various merit badges at www.meritbadge.com or at the BSA web site.
Consider working on the merit badge with a "buddy."
Once you decide on a particular merit badge to work on, get a "blue card" from the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster will also give you the name and contact information for a merit badge counselor for the merit badge you are working on.
On the "blue card", fill in the information about yourself and the merit badge you are working on.
Contact the merit badge counselor (usually by phone). Discuss how they want you to proceed.
Consider obtaining a copy of the merit badge pamphlet associated with the merit badge you are pursuing. You can either purchase one or borrow one. While not mandatory, the merit badge book may help you significantly in learning the required material.
When you've completed all requirements, the merit badge counselor will sign the blue card and keep his portion. You now have two-thirds of it left.
Tear off your portion of the blue card. Keep this safe until you are no longer a scout!
Return the remaining one-third of the blue card to the Scoutmaster.