Advancement

Scouts BSA Advancement is a four step process.

Learn, Review, Test, Recognition

Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review

As Scouts move through ranks, they periodically meet with adult leaders for guidance on and assessment of their progress.

  • Scoutmaster conferences provide Scouts with opportunities for one-on-one conversation and goal setting with the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or members of the Troop Committee.
  • When a Scout has met the knowledge, skill and leadership requirements for advancement to the next rank, a Board of Review is convened to determine that the Scout has met the requirements for rank advancement. Boards of Review generally consist of three or more members of the Troop Committee. The Eagle Scout Board of Review is more comprehensive than those at lower ranks. While a Board of Review is most often held for rank advancement, they may also be convened to provide Scouts with goal-setting guidance between ranks.

Youth Leadership Positions

As Scouts advance, they assume increasing responsibility within the troop, with ranks of Star and higher requiring service in a leadership position such as:

Service Hours Minimum Requirements

Tenderfoot, requirement 7b: One hour of service

Participate in a total of one hour of service in one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout slogan and Scout motto.

Second Class,requirement 8e: Two hours of service

Participate in two hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Tell how your service to others relates to the Scout Oath.

First Class, requirement 9d: Three hours of service

Participate in three hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. The project(s) must not be the same service project(s) used for Tenderfoot requirement 7b and Second Class requirement 8e. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout Law.

Star, requirement 4: Six hours of service

While a First Class Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster.

Life, requirement 4: Six hours of service, at least three of which are conservation-related

While a Star Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. At least three hours of this service must be conservation-related.

Eagle Scout: The Eagle Scout service project

While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America.)

Merit Badges

Ranks of Star and higher require that Scouts complete skill-oriented merit badges. Merit badges required for the rank of Eagle include: First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, Camping and Family Life. For more information about the BSA merit badge program, see

BLUE CARDS will need to be picked up from the Scout Office or Leader. a list of counselors is maintained by the Council and the Scoutmaster can provide the contact info for those counselors's in your area of interest.

You are located in the NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM Council and KEYSTONE CAPITAL District.

NYLT

National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.

For many years, junior leader training (JLT) was an important part of the leadership training continuum of BSA local councils throughout America. In 2003 and 2004, a task force of leadership experts and hundreds of Scouts in pilot courses across the nation reviewed and tested every aspect of the new NYLT syllabus, which incorporates the latest leadership ideas and presents fresh, vital and meaningful training for today’s Scouts.

The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what he must KNOW, and what he must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership.

NYLT is a six-day course. Content is delivered in a troop and patrol outdoor setting with an emphasis on immediate application of learning in a fun environment. Interconnecting concepts and work processes are introduced early, built upon, and aided by the use of memory aids, which allows participants to understand and employ the leadership skills much faster.

Built on the legacy of past JLT successes, the new NYLT integrates the best of modern leadership theory with the traditional strengths of the Scouting experience. Through activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and audio-visual support, NYLT participants will be engaged in a unified approach to leadership that will give them the skill and confidence to lead well. Through a wide range of activities, games, and adventures, participants will work and play together as they put into action the best Scouting has to offer.