Topic
Rank requirements, Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review. Leaders worked through the Guide to Advancement and helped Scouts move from Scout to First Class and beyond.
188 posts · 2007–2020
Showing 51–100 of 188 posts
In many packs, Cub Scouts finish their rank advancement just in time for the blue and gold banquet in February. This approach lets families gather to celebrate the Cub Scouts’ accomplishments well before the end of the school year. It also signals that it’s time for Webelos Scouts to begin their transition to Boy Scouting…
Let’s say there’s a Boy Scout who has completed all the requirement for the Eagle Scout rank. He finished the merit badges, service project, active participation, Scout spirit, position of responsibility and unit leader conference. But he still lacks one step: the Eagle Scout board of review.
I once had four bosses in the same job, all at the same time. At one point in my career, I was a department head at a branch location of a company that had a half-dozen locations around the country.
Setting the Stage (Moviemaking) It was the end of January. My Troop and I were going through the last few hours of an event called “Merit Badge College”. This was an annual event held at a local community college where experts in various fields came and taught different merit badge subjects over the course of…
Whether we’re talking about Scouts or adult leaders, Boy Scouts of America always encourages personal and professional development through learning and leadership opportunities. Luckily for Scouting volunteers and professionals, we have three exciting advancement education conferences taking place at the Summit Bechtel Reserve and Philmont Training Center.
October 29th was a busy Scouting day for me. It began with the troop's roadside cleanup service project, followed by a trip to the council Scout Shop, and ending with the troop's spaghetti supper fundraiser in the evening. The trip to the Scout Shop was with the new scoutmaster who needed a new uniform.
At certain critical points in a Boy Scout's journey through the program, he's asked to stop and think. He looks back on where he's been and looks ahead to where he's going. We call it the board of review. The board of review is a chance for adults to talk with the Scout about what…
Some troops take a break between summer camp and the resumption of school. That's fine, but what about those Scouts who are serving in a position of responsibility when this summer break occurs? Does their time still count even if their troop isn't meeting?
Some requirements, like First Class Rank Requirement 1a, can be confusing; Since joining, participate in 10 separate troop/patrol activities, six of which include overnight camping. These 10 activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On at least five of the six campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure…
I hope you had a great summer… The picture for this week's podcast is one of my favorite campsites on Proulx lake in Ontario Canada's Algonquin Provincial Park. We took twenty people in three crews this year and had a great time.
Are Scoutmaster's Conferences a retest? Can assistant Scoutmasters do them? This week we'll catch up on listener email by answering these questions and more. When it comes to Scoutmaster conferences they are explained unambiguously in teh Guide to Advancement, so n one of this is a matter of opinion or a difference in style, it…
The new 2016 13th Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook should be in the hands of every new scout joining your troop this year. The new edition made what I believe to be some nice improvements, along with just a couple things not so much.
I have recently accepted the position of advancement coordinator for Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68, so I have been checking out the 2013 Committee Guidebook to see what my new responsibilities will be, and how much work I have gotten myself into.
Shortly after I retired as the scoutmaster of Troop 68 a few years ago I became the troop committee treasurer. It did not take me long to realize that I did not care to hold that position. It was not that it took a lot of work.
Marci sent me this question: Hi, my son is up for an eagle BOR very soon, and I was wondering what type of questions they ask parents. I was informed the scout steps out of meeting while the reviewers ask parents questions.
Anyone who serves on a troop committee has most likely participated in a rank advancement board of review. To me, it is an honor and a pleasure to serve on one, for it is through this process that we can gain insight into the youth experience. That is, if we ask the right questions and
This is seventh in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements .
This is is sixth in a series of posts abut the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle (these links will be active as each installment is published ) Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes…
This is is fifth in a series of posts abut the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle (these links will be active as each installment is published ) Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes…
This is is fourth in a series of posts abut the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle (these links will be active as each installment is published ) Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes…
This is third in a series of posts abut the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle (these links will be active as each installment is published ) Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on…
This is is second in a series of posts abut the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle (these links will be active as each installment is published ) How the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on…
Here's my comments on the new Scout Rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements . I found the new requirements in this PDF – 2016 Boy Scout requirements-parallel comparison .
Last week we explored how a Scout could get Eagle Scout after turning 18 years old . But did you know that prior to 1965 adults could earn the rank of Eagle? (If you did, let us know in the comments.)
Ask anyone who’s been a Scout, and they’ll tell you just as surely as they can recite the Scout Oath and Law: to reach Eagle Scout, you must fulfill all requirements before your 18th birthday. Period. And yet, recent news coverage highlighted one man, Hugh White, who received his Eagle Scout Award at age 65…
What do the resources say? Who signs rank requirements? It's up to the unit leader to select and train those who approve advancement, that's the short answer! Listen for the longer answer and answers to email questions about troop meetings, terms for positions of responsibility, alcohol stoves, and backpack weight.
The BSA's Advancement Team has completed its biennial review and revision of the Guide to Advancement. The complete document can be downloaded here. As usual, there are several significant changes and clarifications, and most of the changes pertain to the Boy Scout program. Here's a summary: There's a clarification that merit badge worksheets and other
The 2015 Guide to Advancement, your official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs, is now available.
Jennifer asked: "Do the 6 merit badges for star rank have to be earned while a 1st class scout, or could they have been earned while a tenderfoot or 2nd class scout?" All requirements to earn Star rank need to be started and completed after First Class has been earned EXCEPT for the merit badges.
What do you think? In this week's podcast I'll answer email questions about young Scoutmasters , modifying advancement requirements for Scouts with disabilities , the Alligator River game , Webelos going to Scout events, and a full-year troop program. LINKS Cub Scout Outdoor Program Guidelines Guide to Advancement Alligator River Infographic So Far So Good, a New Scoutmaster's…
Here's an comprehensive look at the Scoutmaster's conference. All of the references below are official publications of the BSA (the Guide to Advancement 2013 and the Scoutmaster's Handbook ). I have refrained from adding any commentary or opinion because I think the resources can speak for themselves.
Get a PDF version of this infographic below. I've written extensively about developing youth leadership but this article focuses on how our youth leaders are selected. Before we delve into specifics let's agree that there's a danger of losing the distinction between suggestions, rules and regulations, and mandated practices.
Elise sent in this question: For the rank advancement leadership requirement can the scoutmaster require the scout to lead an approved troop outing to qualify the leadership position ? Our scoutmaster says unless they lead an approved troop activity the leadership role (asst patrol leader) doesn't count towards rank advancement.
Here's what the official resources say about Courts of Honor: The Guide to Advancement 2013: 4.2.1.4 The Scout Is Recognized When the board of review has approved his advancement, the Scout deserves recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next unit meeting.
Amy sent in this question: My son has completed his requirements and a scoutmaster conference for his next rank. He has requested a board of review but was told he cannot have his board of review until school starts and regular meetings resume in September, two months away.
Nora sent in this question: Our Boy Scout troop requires that Boy Scouts request a BOR by phone call at least two days in advance. At our last meeting, the Advancment Chair and some committee members conducted a BOR for one of the Scouts.
Avid readers of this blog have been hearing about changes to Cooking merit badge since October 2012 . But new Scouters or new blog readers might not know about the exciting, important changes to this now-Eagle-required merit badge. The basic facts are these: Cooking merit badge became required to earn the Eagle Scout Award on Jan.
Trevor, a Life Scout, recently got his Eagle Scout Project Proposal OK'd by his unit leader, unit committee, the project beneficiary and his council or district. With that complete, next up in the process is filling out a Final Plan, which the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook says is a tool for the Scout's use…
Scout service projects are a basic element of any solid program, and participation in them is a requirement for advancement in rank. What service projects qualify for rank requirements? Let's begin by looking at the requirements themselves: Second Class requirement: Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project.
________________________________________ Dear Andy, Our troop committee members, together with a district advancement representative, recently conducted an Eagle Scout board of review. We declined the candidate. The vote was unanimous. In the course of the conversation, we touched on the Scout Oath and Law.
________________________________________ Hello Andy, I've been reading your archive issues as well as your current ones. Looking back at your Issue 87 (October 2006), may I gently chastise you for your response about the "World Brotherhood" crest? At that time, you said, "Yup…The World Crest isn't mandatory.
Forget about cooking, lashing or orienteering. For three Scouts in Jeff's troop, the toughest of any of the 14 requirements for First Class is 9B: the swim test. The three boys have a fear of jumping into water over their heads, and the Scoutmaster from Kentucky is worried it will prevent them from advancing past…
Michael sent in this question: What scout age is too young for Citizenship in the Community? I have a couple "younger scouts" who would like to begin the badge but they are only 7th graders and Second Class? Is it my call or do you have a certain criteria?
I ended up going to Joey's pack meeting last week. We did the raingutter regatta, and other than a couple of parental hiccups, it went pretty good. I got to talk to some of the Webelos, also. With a series of unfortunate events, I haven't had a chance to talk with any of the Webelos.
I would be willing to bet that most young men who go before their council Eagle board of review are a little nervous. I know that many of the Boy Scout from Melrose Troop 68 were when it was their turn.
Improved activities, easier-to-understand advancement and some sweet-looking handbooks - yes, Cub Scouting is about to get even better than before. After finding that current achievements are overly passive in nature, activities lack connection to the missions of Scouting and the advancement model is too complicated, the Boy Scouts of America's volunteer task force created a new…
In the season of Wise Men, you won't find many wiser than Chris Hunt, advancement team leader for the Boy Scouts of America. Whatever advancement-related question I throw at him, he answers right away. He's one of the big reasons my Ask the Expert series has been going strong for years.
Every Scouter has been there. You've been there, and so have I. Your fellow Scouter, a parent, or Scout has a question. You think you know the answer. After telling them what you think there's a little shadow of doubt in your mind;"did I get that right?".
Students pore over countless study guides for their midterms, but where's the study guide for Scouting's biggest evaluation? Right here. The Eagle Scout Board of Review study guide, created by two Pennsylvania adult leaders, will better prepare your prospective Eagle Scouts for this potentially stressful final step in the journey to Eagle.
Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting Reader Shelley asked I'm a new Troop Committee Chair and was wondering if anyone has some great questions that they ask their Scouts during their Board of Reviews?
