T3153 - Parent Handbook
Scoutmaster:
jon@jonsouer.comCell Phone: (952) 201-7250 / Home (612) 379-1941
Parent Handbook - Advancement
NOTICE: Dates and times subject to change. If you have a question, contact your patrol leader.
Advancement
Advancement is the process by which Scouts progress through the ranks in the program. A Scout will advance by demonstrating that he has mastered the skills required for the rank he is working on. As he advances each rank the next rank will require a higher level of physical skills, emotional growth, leadership skills, participation in troop and patrol activities, service to others and scouting skills. The requirements for each rank are detailed in the Boy Scout Handbook.
The Ranks in Scouting are:
- Tenderfoot
- Second Class
- First Class
- Star
- Life
- Eagle
For the first levels (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and, First Class) the scout works on the list of tasks in the Boy Scout Handbook both at Monday night meetings and during campouts and trips. The Boy Scout Handbook has both the tasks and the information necessary to do the requirements. It is kind of like an open book test. The scout (and parent) will find all the answers to each rank in the book within the section for that rank. What is needed for advancement to be counted is for the scout to read, understand and, most importantly demonstrate mastering the skills. This work is recorded in his Boy Scout Handbook with dates (Month, Day, Year) and authorized initials. The big difference between Cub Scout advancement and Boy Scout advancement is in Cub Scout the parents' sign off when a task is complete. Unlike Cub Scouts and Webelows, the scout must have requirements signed off by Adult Leaders in the troop rather then by his parents. Older scouts in the troop provided they First Class or higher scouts can also sign off tenderfoot through First Class requirements.
The rest of the levels are based upon ever increasing levels of leadership and merit badge completion. There is a core list of "required" merit badges and a host of "optional" ones. (Required merit badges are the specific badges "required" for the rank of Eagle) The required merit badges concentrate on scout skills and citizenship skills. The optional merit badges cover a wide range of topics and fields of endeavor. The scout is free to pick and choose those that are of interest to him. If a merit badge that he is interested in is not on the schedule the scout should approach his patrol leader and ask for it to be added. Only adults registered as Merit Badge Counselors with the District Advancement Committee may sign off merit badge requirements for the scouts.
Work performed on a merit badge is recorded on a "Blue Card", not in the scout handbook. Each merit badge has it's own smaller book of requirements and information. Just like the Boy Scout Handbook the Merit Badge book has both the requirements and the information necessary to complete the work. Completing a combination of required and optional merit badges along with taking an active role in his leadership responsibility is needed for rank advancement above First Class. The scouts work is recorded in his Boy Scout Handbook with dates (Month, Day, Year) and authorized initials AND on the merit badge cards. The merit badge cards must be turned in to the Troop Advancement Chair to be recorded and awarded. It is primarily the responsibility of the scout to keep his card and turn it in when complete.
A personal notebook is highly recommended for each scout to keep his records together. When it comes time to put together an Eagle application having this information in one place will save a lot of time and effort. Use a three ring binder with paper, trading card plastic holders, and his copy of Boy Scout Handbook and other scout related information. Service hours, camp-out dates, camp locations, hikes, etc… should be recorded with dates as a personal diary. Trading card plastic holders are just the right size for merit badge cards and rank advancement cards.
When a scout completes the requirements for a rank he then asks for a Scoutmaster Conference. This is a one-on-one discussion with the scoutmaster to validate the work done and encourage effective planning for the next rank. It is the responsibility of the scout to seek out the scoutmaster and set up a time. It is the responsibility of the scoutmaster to be available and respectful of the scouts' time and to provide constructive and meaningful feedback to the scout. In addition the scoutmaster will mark in the scouts book the date the conference was completed.
The scout then will set up a Board of Review. The is a group (3 to 5) of adults that sits down with the scout to assess the experiences of the scout, his progress to date, his mastery of scout skills up to the level expected for that rank and to provide constructive feedback. The adults on the Board of Review have a responsibility to document their findings on an advancement report and turn in that report to the advancement chair.
The Board of Review is also a way for adults in the troop to assess the effectiveness of the troop program. Important feedback from the scout should be gathered in regards to the things he both likes and dislikes in the troop, and what programs he would like the troop to provide. How well a scout is prepared for his rank is a direct reflection on the troops program and it's effectiveness.
The troop keeps records in two formats. The advancement reports used to obtain awards from the scout shop are multiple part forms and the troop keeps a copy. In addition the information is entered into a database and stored on more than one computer. Dates of leadership positions, Advancement dates, Training, Camping, Service Hours, Merit Badges, and other scout events are all recorded. This database can be queried for individual scout records or troop records as a complete set.
The troop conducts a Court of Honor two to three times a year (Fall / Winter / Spring) to recognize the achievements of the scouts in the troop. The date the rank is effective is the date of the Board of Review; however, the award will be presented at the next Court of Honor. The Court of Honor is an important occasion and deserves a full Class A uniform with merit badge sashes and troop neckerchiefs.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all Courts of Honor to support your son and all the scouts in the troop. Please feel to bring along other family members as well to highlight the work your son has done. This family involvement will encourage your son to continue with his path to Eagle Scout. Please make this a family priority to attend all Courts of Honor.
An Eagle rank recipient will have a special Eagle Court of Honor just for that award. The time, place and outline of the Court of Honor are up to the family to direct. Program suggestions are located on the troop web site. This program suggestion listing is a Microsoft Word document with many programs. It is intended for use by removing excess material and rearranging the elements that the family likes into the program of their choosing. The adults and scouts of the troop will join the family in celebrating this great achievement. The troop provides the Eagle Award, Parent Pins, Certificate and, Badge. The family should purchase a Eagle neckerchief and slide if desired.