Advancements

Rank Advancement - There are 7 ranks of Scouts BSA (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle).  The first four ranks are designed to teach youth how to be scouts. The last three ranks afford youth opportunities to learn and implement leadership skills. Detailed requirements for each rank are in the Boy Scout Handbook. Each requirement must be completed & demonstrated while a member of a troop. Once a skill/requirement is mastered, the scout then demonstrates the skill to a scout ranked first class or higher, who will sign off the requirement. Once all requirements are completed, please notify the Advancement Chair, who will record the accomplishment in SCOUTBOOK.  For all ranks except Scout rank, a Board of Review is required.  The scout should send a request for BOR to the Committee Chair. After a successful BOR, the scout has earned the rank, which will be awarded at the next Court of Honor.

 

Merit Badges – 

• There are currently 137 merit badges that a scout can earn at any time.  

• Offered at Camp, individually by Merit Badge counselor, and at meeting. (Parents are discouraged from advising their own kids unless they are an approved merit badge counselor and are teaching in a group setting at a meeting or event) *** Merit Badge Counselor must be over 18 and have registered with Council to teach the specific Merit Badge.

• To start- Find approved counselor for the specific Merit Badge subject and obtain a Blue Card signed by the Scoutmaster.

• Scout should read the specific merit badge booklet (many are available from the Troop Library)

• Requirements and resources for badge completion are at meritbadge.org

• To Finish- The merit badge counselor will monitor your progress to ensure you have a firm knowledge of the content and will sign your blue card once you have satisfied all requirements.

• Turn in your completed BLUE CARD to the Advancement Chair. 

• The Advancement Chair will record the completion in Scoutbook

• Merit Badge will be awarded at the next Court of Honor.

 

 Awards - Awards are special recognition that can be earned for tasks within Scouting BSA that are not considered a rank advancement or merit badge.  These include the Mile Swim, Recruiting- a friend to join scouting, earning the Firem’n Chit or Totin’ Chip, and completing the Religious Emblems Program. 

 

Recognition - The Court of Honor is the troop’s opportunity to award and recognize scouts who have achieved rank advancement and/or completed merit badges.  This is held quarterly at the same time as a Monday night meeting.  All parents, family, and friends are encouraged to attend this reverent, formal ceremony to recognize the efforts of the scouts.  Following the ceremony, Troop 280 will host a celebration with a dinner or a treat, though families may be asked to provide a dish, drinks, etc.  Your participation is greatly appreciated.

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The Boy Scout Handbook - The Boy Scout Handbook is the youth’s guide to Scouting.  You should bring your handbook for all meetings, events, and outings.  You should use the pages at the back of your book to record your personal achievements.  The advancement coordinator will update your accomplishments in Scoutbook.  

 

Scoutbook - This is the online tool that is used to record a Scout’s rank, achievements, and advancements, including merit badges, camping nights, miles hiked, and service hours.  An invitation email will be sent to the email address provided and will allow you to set up and connect to your scout.