(We are happy to add more entries as requested)

Advancement

Scouting uses a combination of two primary forms of advancement that work together to measure a scout’s progress as he develops into a good citizen with well-rounded skills and knowledge. These two forms of advancement are ranks and merit badges. See “Ranks” and “Merit Badges”.

Board of Review

When a scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, including regular attendance at Troop meetings and activities, and after a Scoutmaster Conference, he appears before a Board of Review composed of members of the Troop Committee. The purpose of the review is to determine the Scout’s attitude and acceptance of Scouting’s ideals; to ensure that the requirements have been met for advancement, to discuss the scout’s experiences in the troop and the troop’s program, and to encourage him to keep on the path to Eagle. A Board of Review may also be held to counsel a boy about his lack of progress toward advancement.

Court of Honor

A special ceremony for recognizing the advancement of the scouts in the troop. It often takes the place of a regular Troop Meeting and is usually organized by the Troop Committee. A Court of Honor is scout conducted/operated as with everything else in the troop.

Merit Badges

Scouts can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as they earn merit badges. There are more than 100 merit badges, and any Boy Scout or Varsity Scout, or any qualified Venturer or Sea Scout may earn any of these at any time. He should read the requirements of the merit badges he might want to earn. The scout should pick a badge of interest and talk to his adult leaders about his interest in earning the badge. An adult leader will give him the name of a person from a list of Merit Badge Counselors. These individuals have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects and are interested in helping you.

Merit Badge Counselor

These individuals have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects and are interested in helping scouts learn about the topics. They meet with the scout(s) and discuss what is required to earn the merit badge. The scout then completes the requirements, passes them off to the counselor, and then receives the badge at the next Court of Honor. See a detailed procedure for earning Merit Badges here.

Ranks

To earn a rank advancements, a scout must complete the requirements as outlined below and the ranks are earned in the following order:

1. Boy Scout
2. Tenderfoot
3. Second Class
4. First Class
5. Star
6. Life
7. Eagle

Alternative requirements are also available for special needs scouts.

Scoutmaster’s Conference

When a scout has completed all of the requirements for a rank, he will have a conference with the scoutmaster. The purpose of this meeting is for the scoutmaster to check on the scout’s progress. The scoutmaster may ask questions about how the scout is advancing in the program, how he feels that he is fitting into the troop, if the scout has any concerns or problems that should be addressed, and any ways the scout feels the program can be improved. The scoutmaster then encourages the scout to continue to advance and show that he is living by the Scout Oath & Law (the spirit of scouting).