ADVANCEMENT
Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. Scouts plan their own advancement and progress at their own pace as they meet each challenge. Scouts are recognized and rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Ranks in order
Worksheets courtesy of usscouts.org
Achievements of each scout is recognized by awarding badges of rank. Each rank has specific requirements as listed in the Boy Scout Handbook and by clicking on the information to the right. The Trail to First Class is made primarily up of learning basic scout skills while the higher ranks tend to focus on Merit Badges, community service, and leadership requirements.
Each rank advancement requires a Scoutmaster conference and a Board of Review (except the Scout rank which only has a scoutmaster conference).
Steps for Advancment:
1) complete requirements and have signed off by a scout that is a Star rank or
above
2) contact the Scoutmaster, Mr. Brame, to schedule a conference
3) after Scoutmaster conference is completed, call the Troop Advancment Chair,
Mr. Smith, to schedule a Board of Review - which are held on the third Thursday
of the month during PLC meetings
** For both the Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review, wear your full Class
A uniform, with neckerchief and sash, and bring your Scout Handbook.
Trail to First Class
There isn't a required timeline to earn a specific rank and all scouts advance at their own pace. The Trail to First Class program is designed to provide guidance and direction to our first year Scouts until they have achieved the rank of First Class. During this period, individual requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously.
Trail to First Class is monitored and run jointly by the Troop Guide and the Scoutmaster and is accomplished throughout the year during troop meetings, patrol meetings, campouts, and summer camp. They can also be worked on individually with the guidance of the Asst. Scoutmaster assigned to the scout's patrol.
Once the Scouts reach the rank of First Class, the upper ranks all require holding a leadership position within the troop. While there are many important leadership positions in the troop, not all will count towards rank advancement.
- Positions that qualify towards rank advancement are: Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Patrol Leader (PL), Asst. Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), OA Troop Representative, Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Troop Quartermaster, Bugler, Chaplain's Aide, and special positions appointed by the Scoutmaster.
- Please visit the Leadership page for more information on the positions.
Rank required Leadership Positions
Rank required Service Hours
Each rank has a requirement where the Scouts much complete service hours. As each Scout progresses in rank, the number of hours may increase. These hours should be written in the back of the scout's handbook and initialled by the organizer for tracking purposes.
** Note that service hours aren't cumulative. In other words, the hour of service used for Tenderfoot only counts toward Tenderfoot. It cannot also be used for Second Class.
Tenderfoot = one hour of service
Second Class = two hours of service
First Class = three hours of service
Star = six hours of community service
Life = 3 hours of community service plus at least 3 hours conservation related (6hrs)
Eagle = Eagle Scout service project
Rank required Attendance & Participation
Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks have participation requirements for a certain number of activities but in addition, Troop 435 hopes each scout will try to attend at least 50% of Troop meetings and activities. Please see rank requirements for activity details.
BSA Policy requires Star rank and above be active in their Troop and Patrol for a specific number of months for advancement eligibility. To be considered active in Troop 435, attendance must be at least 50% each month during their current rank.
Recordkeeping & Tracking
Keep track of activities including service hours and camping in the back of the Handbook and the Troop 435 binder. Blue cards should be kept in a safe place; make copies to keep in the binder for reference. This information will be needed when filling out Eagle