Advancement
Ranks must be achieved in the order on the right, HOWEVER, Scouts can work on requirements for ANY RANK at any time. Most Scouts should achieve the rank of First Class while in their first year of Scouting.
Merit Badges can be worked on at any time by any age scout. HOWEVER, we feel it is best to have the first year scouts work on RANK ADVANCEMENT. RANK ADVANCEMENT skills are important skills that the Scouts will use during their camping trips. Merit Badges are required to advance from First Class to Star (4 Silver and 2 Green), from Star to Life (3 Silver and 2 Green), and from Life to Eagle (5 Silver and 5 Green).
Any questions, feel free to contact the advancement chair.
The first rank for a Webelow to attain is Scout Rank. In order to acheive this rank, the Scout must complete the following:
Meet age requirements: Be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old.
Complete a Boy Scout application and health history signed by your parent or guardian.
Find a Scout troop near your home.
Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake.
Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot).
Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Law, motto, and slogan, and the Outdoor Code.
Describe the Scout badge.
Complete the Pamphlet Exercises. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide".
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference. Turn in your Boy Scout application and health history form signed by your parent or guardian, then participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
The next rank is Tenderfoot. As a Tenderfoot, the Scout must know the following:
Present yourself to your leader, properly dressed, before going on an overnight camping trip. Show the camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.
Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.
On the campout, assist in preparing and cooking one of your patrol's meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together.
Demonstrate how to whip and fuse the ends of a rope.
Demonstrate that you know how to tie the following knots and tell what their uses are: two half hitches and the taut-line hitch.
Using the EDGE method teach another person how to tie the square knot.
Explain the rules of safe hiking, both on the highway and cross-country, during the day and at night. Explain what to do if you are lost.
Demonstrate how to display, raise, lower, and fold the American flag.
Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan.
Know your patrol name, give the patrol yell, and describe your patrol flag.
Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one.
Record your best in the following tests:
Push-ups
Pull-ups
Sit-ups
Standing long jump
1/4 mile walk/run
Show improvement in the activities listed in requirement 10a after practicing for 30 days.
Identify local poisonous plants; tell how to treat for exposure to them.
Demonstrate how to care for someone who is choking.
Show first aid for the following:
Simple cuts and scrapes
Blisters on the hand and foot
Minor (thermal/heat) burns or scalds (superficial, or first degree)
Bites and stings of insects and ticks
Venomous snakebite
Nosebleed
Frostbite and sunburn
Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.Discuss four specific examples of how you have lived the points of the Scout Law in your daily life.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Complete your board of review
After Tenderfoot comes Second Class. All Second Class Scouts must complete the following:
Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Explain what map symbols mean.
Using a compass and a map together, take a 5-mile hike (or 10 miles by bike) approved by your adult leader and your parent or guardian.*
Discuss the principles of "Leave No Trace"
Since joining, have participated in five separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), two of which included camping overnight.
On one of these campouts, select your patrol site and sleep in a tent that you pitched. Explain what factors you should consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
Demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax, and describe when they should be used.
Use the tools listed in requirement 3c to prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel for a cooking fire.
Discuss when it is appropriate to use a cooking fire and a lightweight stove. Discuss the safety procedures for using both.
In an approved place and at an approved time, demonstrate how to build a fire and set up a lightweight stove. Note: Lighting the fire is not required.
On one campout, plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch, selecting foods from the food pyramid. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Tell how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institution, chartered organization, community, or troop activity. Explain to your leader what respect is due the flag of the United States.
Participate in approved (minimum of one hour) service project(s).
Identify or show evidence of at least ten kinds of wild animals (birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, mollusks) found in your community.
Show what to do for "hurry" cases of stopped breathing, serious bleeding, and ingested poisoning.
Prepare a personal first aid kit to take with you on a hike.
Demonstrate first aid for the following:
Object in the eye
Bite of a suspected rabid animal
Puncture wounds from a splinter, nail, and fishhook
Serious burns (partial thickness, or second degree)
Heat exhaustion
Shock
Heatstroke, dehydration, hypothermia, and hyperventilation
Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.
Demonstrate your ability to jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.
Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family, and explain the dangers of substance addictions.
Explain the three R's of personal safety and protection.
Earn an amount of money agreed upon by you and your parent, then save at least 50 percent of that money.
Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life. Discuss four specific examples (different from those used for Tenderfoot requirement 13) of how you have lived the points of the Scout Law in your daily life.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Complete your board of review.
The next rank is First Class. We expect all Scouts to acieve the Rank of First Class within the first year of joining. First Class Scout must master all previous requirements as well as:
Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass.
Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.)
Since joining, have participated in ten separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), three of which included camping overnight. Demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.
Help plan a patrol menu for one campout that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner and that requires cooking at least two of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from the food pyramid and meets nutritional needs.
b.Using the menu planned in requirement 4a, make a list showing the cost and food amounts needed to feed three or more boys and secure the ingredients.
c.Tell which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
d.Explain the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food products. Tell how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic containers, and other rubbish.
e.On one campout, serve as your patrol's cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in requirement 4a. Lead your patrol in saying grace at the meals and supervise cleanup.
Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal, teacher) your constitutional rights and obligations as a U.S. citizen.
Identify or show evidence of at least ten kinds of native plants found in your community.
Discuss when you should and should not use lashings. Then demonstrate tying the timber hitch and clove hitch and their use in square, shear, and diagonal lashings by joining two or more poles or staves together.
Use lashing to make a useful camp gadget.
Demonstrate tying the bowline knot and describe several ways it can be used.
Demonstrate bandages for a sprained ankle. and for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and the collarbone.
Show how to transport by yourself, and with one other person, a person:
from a smoke-filled room
with a sprained ankle, for at least 25 yards.
Tell the five most common signals of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.
Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.
With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)
Tell someone who is eligible to join Boy Scouts, or an inactive Boy Scout, about your troop's activities. Invite him to a troop outing, activity, service project or meeting. Tell him how to join, or encourage the inactive Boy Scout to become active.
Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.
Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life. Discuss four specific examples (different from those used for Tenderfoot requirement 13 and Second Class requirement 11) of how you have lived the points of the Scout Law in your daily life.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Complete your board of review.
A Star Scout must:
Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 4 months as a First Class Scout.
Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
Earn 6 merit badges, including 4 from the required list for Eagle.*
___________________________________(required for Eagle)*
___________________________________(required for Eagle)*
___________________________________(required for Eagle)*
___________________________________(required for Eagle)*
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While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.
While a First Class Scout, serve actively 4 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (see Patrol Leader Council and other troop leadership positions below):
Patrol leader,
assistant senior patrol leader,
senior patrol leader,
Venture patrol leader
troop guide,
Order of the Arrow troop representative,
den chief,
scribe,
librarian,
historian,
quartermaster,
bugler,
junior assistant Scoutmaster,
chaplain aide,
instructor ,
troop Webmaster, or
Leave No Trace trainer.
6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference
7. Complete your board of review.
Life Scout requirements are:
Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Star Scout.
Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
Earn 5 more merit badges (so that you have 11 in all), including any 3 more from the required list for Eagle.
___________________________________(required for Eagle)*
___________________________________(required for Eagle)*
___________________________________(required for Eagle)*
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While a Star Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.
While a Star Scout, serve actively 6 months in one or more of the positions of responsibility listed in requirement 5 for Star Scout (see Patrol Leader Council and other troop leadership positions below).
While a Star Scout, use the EDGE method to teach a younger Scout the skills from ONE of the following seven choices, so that he is prepared to pass those requirements to his unit leader's satisfaction.
Second Class - 7a and 7c (first aid)
Second Class - 1a (outdoor skills)
Second Class - 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f (cooking/camping)
First Class - 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d (first aid)
First Class - 1, 7a, and 7b (outdoor skills)
First Class - 4a, 4b, and 4d (cooking/camping)
Three requirements from one of the Eagle-required merit badges, as approved by your unit leader.
Take part in a Scoutmaster conference
Complete your board of review.
To attain the rank of Eagle, a Scout must:
Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least 6 months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.
Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references.
Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following:
While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:
Patrol leader,
assistant senior patrol leader,
senior patrol leader,
Venture patrol leader,
troop guide,
Order of the Arrow troop representative,
den chief,
scribe,
librarian,
historian,
quartermaster,
junior assistant Scoutmaster,
chaplain aide,
instructor,
Webmaster, or
Leave No Trace trainer
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 Boy Scouting.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement. (To learn more about the Eagle Scout service project, see the Guide to Advancement, topics 9.0.2.0 through 9.0.2.15.)\
Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.
* You must choose only one merit badge listed in items (4-7) and (4-10). If you have earned more than one of the badges listed in items (4-7) and (4-10), choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21.
Note: All requirements must be completed before a candidate's 18th birthday, however the Eagle Scout board of review can be held after the candidate's 18th birthday. For more information, see Guide to Advancement, publication No. 33088.
Patrol Leader's Council
The senior patrol leader (SPL) is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the top youth leader in the troop. He runs all troop meetings, events, activities, the annual program planning conference, and the patrol leaders' council meeting. He appoints other troop youth leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
The assistant senior patrol leader (ASPL) is the second highest-ranking youth leader in the troop. He is appointed by the senior patrol leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The assistant senior patrol leader acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the senior patrol leader or when called upon. He also provides leadership to other youth leaders in the troop.
The patrol leader is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the patrol leaders’ council and appoints the assistant patrol leader.
The troop guide works with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class in their first year. He teaches basic Scout skills and works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders’ council meetings. Serving as Guide can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop.
Other troop leadership positions
The assistant patrol leader is appointed by the patrol leader and leads the patrol in his absence. He represents his patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend. The assistant patrol leader position does not count towards leadership requirements for Star, Life, or Eagle.
The quartermaster keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He keeps records on patrol and troop equipment, makes sure equipment is in good working condition, and issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Quartermaster can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop.
The scribe keeps the troop records. He records the activities of the patrol leaders’ council and keeps a record of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop meetings. (Appointed by the SPL)
The historian preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Historian can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop.
The librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. (Appointed by the SPL)
The instructor teaches Scouting skills.
The chaplain aide works with the troop chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the troop. He also works to promote the religious emblems program. (Appointed by the SPL)
The den chief works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and den leaders in the Cub Scout pack. Helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks and encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation. Serving as Den Chief can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop .
The junior assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) serves in the capacity of an assistant Scoutmaster except where legal age and maturity are required. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his leadership ability.
Order of the Arrow Representative
The Order of the Arrow Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge or chapter and his troop. In his unit, he helps meet the needs of the unit and will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. (Appointed by the SPL)
The Webmaster is in charge of updating the Troop website when needed.
The Leave No Trace Trainer specializes in teaching Leave No Trace principles and ensures that the troop follows the principles of Leave No Trace on all outings such as camping and other outdoor activities. He can also help Scouts earn the Leave No Trace award. He should have a thorough understanding of and commitment to Leave No Trace. Ideally, he should have completed Leave No Trace training as well as earned both the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges.
The Bugler should be able to make appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop activities. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Bugler can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star and Life but not Eagle.
Boy Scouts who are members of bands, drill teams, or drum and bugle corps affiliated with a unit or a local council may also wear the musician badge special insignia.