Advancement
In Scouting, Advancement is the process of learning skills, understanding and demonstrating the Scout Oath and Law, and meeting service, camping and leadership requirements in order to earn ranks on the path to Eagle. There are many aspects of advancement, including individual requirements, the Scoutmaster Conference, Boards of Review, earning merit badges, and the honor of being elected into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society.​
Rank Advancement Requirements
Rank advancement requirements for all ranks of Scouting are signed off in the Scout Handbook. This is the Scouts written proof of completing the requirements. Most of the information needed to pass these rank requirements can be found in the handbook. Taking the time to read and study a subject thoroughly is important and expected. When a Scout satisfactorily demonstrates that he has a complete knowledge of a skill or requirement, the requirement may to be signed off in the handbook by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide or Instructor so long as they are ranked above the Scout they are signing off on. Life and Star Scouts have the privilege of also signing off on lower ranking Scouts with permission of the Scoutmaster and SPL.
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Rank advancement cannot be signed off by a family member. However, a family member can provide verification that a requirement was satisfactorily completed
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Below are things the Scoutmaster (SM) or Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) will look for or discuss at your conference. Be prepared to review these areas and be able to discuss them.
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Service Work
Service work is defined as “Work or activities by a Scout for someone other than his family or his Troop”. All service work to be performed by a Scout for advancement must be pre-approved by the Scoutmaster. The Scout is responsible for meeting with the Scoutmaster to discuss the service project. If the Scout fails to obtain pre-approval for his service work, the time spent will not count toward advancement. The pre-approval requirement is not necessary for Troop service projects such as putting out the flags, Church service projects and Eagle projects. Each Scout should keep a record of his service time with his advancement records.
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Scout Spirit
BSA definition of Scout Spirit: Scout spirit applies to how a Scout lives and conducts his daily life. He shows Scout spirit by being a role model to his peers, living by the Scout Oath and Law. The concept of Scout spirit is not based on how many Scouting events or outings a Scout attends, but rather by how he helps bring out the best in others as a reflection of his own character and attitude in his daily life.
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Though the requirement looks the same for each rank, it's really different - Scout Spirit for Life Scout is very different (and much harder) than Scout Spirit for Second Class. Scout Spirit should be shown at all times, and generally this requirement is one of the last ones to be signed off for any rank. Scoutmasters will want to see the appropriate Scout Spirit for some period of time before they sign off the requirement. For Second Class that may only be for a campout and the last few meetings, but for Eagle it may be for several months.
The Scoutmaster (or his appointee) is the only person who can sign the requirement for Scout Spirit.
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Scoutmaster Conferences
Scoutmaster conferences (SMC) are required prior to your Board of Review (BOR) for advancement to each rank. This is a time for you to review with an adult leader in the Troop: a) how you are doing on your Road to Eagle; b) what you need to know for your Board of Review; c) what is in store for you after you reach your next rank; d) to have an opportunity to tell an adult leader in the Troop how your Scouting experience is progressing. Contact the Scoutmaster to schedule a Scoutmaster Conference.
Boards of Review
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The Board of Review is the last step for completing each rank, beginning with Tenderfoot. After completing your Scoutmaster Conference, contact the Advancement Coordinator to schedule a Board of Review. Boards of Review must be pre-arranged because three Committee members must be present.
BE PREPARED for your Board of Review.
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Be in full Class A uniform. (Don't forget your official Scout belt and socks). Make sure all your insignia (patches) are up to date and sewn on in their proper locations.
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Bring your Scout Handbook.
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Bring your Scout Binder with all of your Merit Badge blue cards.
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Bring a question you'd like to ask the committee.
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Merit Badges
It is the Scout’s responsibility to follow the requirements of each merit badge exactly. If a merit badge requirement states that a Scout must “show or demonstrate” a skill, the Scout must actually exhibit the skill to the Counselor; talking about a skill is not sufficient. Scouts are advised to read each requirement carefully and follow it to the letter. If the requirements change before the Merit Badge is completed the Scout must complete the badge using the newer requirements.
Order of the Arrow
Order of the Arrow is the national honor society for Scouting. Each year, Troop 897 elects members to Nawakwa Lodge Chapter 18. Scouts are elected by their fellow Scouts following approval by the Scoutmaster. To become a member, the Scout must be a registered Boy Scout and hold the rank of First Class. The Scout must have completed a minimum of 15 days and nights camping (including six days and five nights at a long-term camp) within the last two years.
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Adult Scouters can become members and must meet the same requirements as above. The one exception is that an adult is nominated by the Troop and voted on by the executive committee of the Lodge. The Scoutmaster will nominate the adult after consultation with other adult OA members and the Troop Committee.