Advancement
Advancement is a core part of the Scouting journey. Our troop supports Scouts as they set goals, learn new skills, and progress at their own pace—from their first badge to the rank of Eagle.
Advancement
While Scouts are accountable for their own advancement, we work with our newer Scouts to help them get to the rank of 1st Class relatively quickly. For Star, Life and Eagle, Scouts are expected to take a more proactive approach and own their progress. Below you will find some information that help clarify how advancement is managed.
Handbook: The Troop will provide your Scout with a handbook when they join. This is considered the official record of rank advancement so it is important that they do not lose it. We encourage Scouts and parents to take pictures of the rank sign-off pages as they get completed so there is a digital copy in the event the handbook is lost.
Scoutbook: This is the online advancement tracking tool that BSA uses. Web and mobile versions of this are available. Your Scout will have an account in addition to parents and certain adult leaders. This is also where rank and merit badge requirements can be monitored. Dates for rank requirements should mirror what is in the physical handbook. Having trouble login to Scoutbook+? Click here to access the Troop’s login guide.
Scoutmaster Conference: This one of the last requirements for most ranks and occurs after all requirements are complete and just before the Board of Review. For the younger ranks, these are brief conversations with an Assistant Scoutmaster. The focus of those conversations are geared towards what they learned while working on the rank. Not just the tangible skills like cooking, but also the softer skills such as leadership.
Board of Review: This is the last step in the rank advancement process. For Tenderfoot to Life ranks this is done with a group of Troop leaders who do not serve in a Scout Master or ASM role. These are typically conducted by 2 – 4 committee members. The conversation is more about the Scout’s overall Scouting experience and how it is translating into their daily lives.
Scout Master Conference: This is a much more involved conversation with the Scout Master. In addition to a discussion about what the Scout has learned, a review of the Scout’s binder helps ensure all documentation is ready for the Eagle Board of Review.
Board of Review: This is much more formal meeting and includes a district representative. Scouts are also allowed to invite others who have had an impact on them such as teachers or coaches. This conversation is a discussion about the Scout’s journey over the past years and what they have learned from that experience.
Court of Honor: A few times throughout the year, we will replace our standard Troop meeting with a Court of Honor. This is a more formal affair where Scouts will receive patches for new rank, merit badges and other awards. We encourage parents to attend as you are will receive a mother’s pin when your Scout ranks up.