GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT 2011 - Alamo Area BSA

1 GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT2011 BSA Mission StatementThe mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the scout Oath and scout Law. Every Scouting activity moves boys toward three basic aims: character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fi tness. Scoutmaster Handbook ADVANCEMENT is one of the eight methods used by scout leaders to help boys fulfi ll the aims of the BSA. Scoutmaster HandbookWebsite addresses listed herein were current at press time. If any are found to be incorrect, consult the online version of the GUIDE to ADVANCEMENT for updated in This Edition Reorganized for easy reference Frequently Asked Questions indexed New approach to active participation and positions of responsibility Internet ADVANCEMENT highlights Helpful appendix Searchable online version availableAnd more see TO ADVANCEMENT2011 The GUIDE to ADVANCEMENT replaces the publication ADVANCEMENT Committee Policies and Procedures and is the offi cial Boy Scouts of America source on ADVANCEMENT | GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT 2011 Policy on Unauthorized Changes to ADVANCEMENT ProgramNo council, committee, district, unit.

2 Or individua l has the authority to add to, or subtract from, ADVANCEMENT requirements. There are limited exceptions relating only to youth members with disabilities. For details see section 10, ADVANCEMENT for Members With Special Needs. The GUIDE to Safe Scouting AppliesPolicies and procedures outlined in the GUIDE to Safe Scouting, No. 610138, apply to all BSA activities, including those related to ADVANCEMENT and eagle scout service Procedures and Recommended PracticesThis publication clearly identifi es mandated procedures with words such as must and shall. Where such language is used, no council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to deviate from the procedures covered, without the written permission of the national ADVANCEMENT best practices are offered using words like should, while other options and guidelines are indicated with terms such as may or can.

3 Refer questions on these to your local district or council ADVANCEMENT chairs or staff advisors. They, in turn, may request interpretations and assistance from the national ADVANCEMENT 978-0-8395-3088-6 2011 Boy Scouts of America2011 PrintingGUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT 2011 | Section 1. Introduction 6 Questions and Suggestions 6 Signifi cant Changes Section 2. ADVANCEMENT Defi ned 8 It Is a Method Not an End in Itself 8 Experiential Learning Is the Foundation 8 Personal Growth Is Prime Consideration 8 The Methods of Scouting Section 3.

4 Guidelines for ADVANCEMENT and Recognition Committees 10 Council ADVANCEMENT Committee Responsibilities 10 District ADVANCEMENT Committee Responsibilities 12 Unit ADVANCEMENT Responsibilities 13 Awards and Recognitions Section 4. The Mechanics of ADVANCEMENT 14 Changes to Requirements 14 Reporting ADVANCEMENT 14 Age Exception for Youth With Disabilities 15 Mechanics of ADVANCEMENT : In Cub Scouting 15 Delivering the Cub scout Program 15 The Role of the Pack Committee 15 Who Approves Cub scout ADVANCEMENT ? 15 Do Your Best 15 Cub scout Ranks 15 Bobcat 16 Tiger Cub 16 Wolf 16 Bear 16 Progress Toward Ranks Emblem 16 Arrow Points 16 Webelos Badge 17 Compass Points 17 The Arrow of Light Award 17 Cub Scouting Activity-Based Programs 18 Fun for the Family Program 18 Cub scout Academics and Sports Program 18 More on Webelos Activity Badges 18 Mechanics of ADVANCEMENT .

5 In Boy Scouting and Varsity Scouting 18 scout ADVANCEMENT Age Requirements 19 Four Steps in scout ADVANCEMENT 19 The scout Learns 19 The scout Is Tested 19 The scout Is Reviewed 20 The scout Is Recognized 20 Varsity Scouting Particulars 20 Varsity scout letter 20 Varsity scout Denali Award 20 Rank Requirements Overview 20 Active Participation 21 Demonstrate scout Spirit 22 Service Projects 22 Positions of Responsibility 22 Positions Must Be Chosen From Among Those Listed 23 Meeting the Time Test May Involve Any Number of Positions 23 Meeting Unit Expectations 23 Meeting the Requirement in the Absence of Unit Expectations 23 When Responsibilities Are Not Met 23 Responsibility and Leadership 24 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference 24 Mechanics of ADVANCEMENT .

6 In Venturing 24 The Goals of Venturing 24 ADVANCEMENT in Venturing 24 The Venturing Awards 25 Bronze Award 25 Gold Award 25 Silver Award 25 Ranger Award 25 Quest Award 25 TRUST Award 26 Past Credit for Venturers 26 Multiple Credit for Venturers 26 Boy scout ADVANCEMENT in Venturing and Sea Scouts 26 CONTENTS4 | GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT 2011 Mechanics of ADVANCEMENT : In Sea Scouts 26 Sea scout Ranks and Awards 26 Apprentice Rank 27 Ordinar y Rank 27 Able Rank 27 Quartermaster Rank 27 Time Extensions for Earning Quartermaster Rank 27 Submitting the Quartermaster Application 27 The Skipper Conference 27 Sea scout Bronze Award 28 Other Sea scout Awards 28 Bridges of Honor 28 The Sea scout Bridge of Review 28 Purpose and Timeliness of Bridges of Review 28 Composition of the Bridge of Review 28 Conducting the Bridge of Review 28 Particulars for Apprentice Through

7 Able Ranks 29 Particulars for the Quartermaster Rank 29 Quartermaster Bridge of Review Beyond the 21st Birthday 29 Initiating Quartermaster Bridge of Review Under Disputed Circumstances 29 Appealing a Quartermaster Bridge of Review Decision Section 5. Special Considerations 30 ADVANCEMENT in Camp Settings 30 Procedures Established by Council ADVANCEMENT Committee 30 Procedural Examples 30 ADVANCEMENT Committee Approves Merit Badge Counselors 31 Statement on Unauthorized Changes to ADVANCEMENT 31 ADVANCEMENT Committee As a Partner in Camp-Related ADVANCEMENT 31 Extended Absence From Scouting 31 Lone Scouting 31 Lone scout ADVANCEMENT Procedures 32 Lone Scouts and Merit Badges 32 eagle scout

8 Applications for Lone Scouts 32 Youth From Other Countries 33 Religious Principles 33 Bestowing Posthumous Awards 33 Spirit of the eagle Award Section 6. Internet ADVANCEMENT Highlights 34 Benefi ts of Internet ADVANCEMENT 34 How Internet ADVANCEMENT Works 34 Where to Find Internet ADVANCEMENT Help Section 7. The Merit Badge Program 36 The Benefi ts of Merit Badges 36 Unit Leader Signs Application for Merit Badge ( Blue Card ) 36 About Merit Badge Counselors 37 7.

9 0 . 1 . 1 Q u a l i fi cations of Counselors 37 Sources of Merit Badge Counselors 38 Venturing Consultants as Merit Badge Counselors 39 Counselor Approvals and Limitations 39 Registration and Reregistration 39 Training for Counselors 40 . 2 .0 Merit Badge Counselor Lists 40 Getting Started 40 Web-Based Counselor Lists 40 Unit Counselor Lists 40 . 3 .0 The Process of Counseling 40 The Buddy System and Certifying Completion 41 Group Instruction 41 Partial Completions 41.

10 4 .0 Merit Badge Miscellany 42 New Merit Badges 42 Revising Merit Badges 42 What to Do When Requirements Change 42 Discontinued Merit Badges 43 Earning eagle -Required Merit Badges for Star or Life Rank 43 Once It Is Earned, It s Earned Section 8. Boards of Review: An Overview for All Ranks 44 Purpose and Timeliness of Boards of Review 44 Boards of Review Must Be Granted When Requirements Are Met 44 Composition of the Board of Review 44 Wearing the Uniform or Neat in Appearance 44 Conducting the Board of Review 44 Not a Retest or Examination 45 What Should Be Discussed 45 How Boards Can Lead to Program Improvement 45 GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT 2011 | 5 Board Members Must Agree Unanimously on Decisions to Approve 45 After the Review 46 Particulars for Tenderfoot Through Life Ranks (or Palms)