Advancement Resources
Find many of the most needed documents and resources for Scouts and Families
Advancement Resources for the Scout Rank
All requirements for the Scout rank must be completed as a member of a troop or as a Lone Scout. If you have already completed these requirements as part of the Webelos Scouting Adventure, simply demonstrate your knowledge or skills to your Scoutmaster or other designated leader after joining the troop.
1a. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your own words, explain their meaning.
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is:
- TRUSTWORTHY. Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.
- LOYAL. Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.
- HELPFUL. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.
- FRIENDLY. Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.
- COURTEOUS. Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.
- KIND. Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.
- OBEDIENT. Follow the rules of your family, school, and Ship. Obey the laws of your community and country.
- CHEERFUL. Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.
- THRIFTY. Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.
- BRAVE. Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.
- CLEAN. Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean.
- REVERENT. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.
Boy Scout Motto
Be Prepared!
Upon hearing the Scout motto, someone asked Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell the inevitable follow-up question. “Prepared for what?” “Why, for any old thing,” he replied. In 1907, Baden-Powell, an English soldier, devised the Scout motto: Be Prepared.
Boy Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily!
The Scout slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily.” It is part of the third point of the Scout Law – “A Scout is helpful.” And it is part of your Scout Oath – “… to help other people at all times.” The slogan does not mean for you to do one Good Turn during the day and then stop.
1b. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe some ways you have shown Scout spirit by practicing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan.
What Is Scout Spirit? Scout Spirit is defined as “Living by the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and Motto in your daily life.” As a whole, having Scout Spirit means supporting others, bettering your community, and striving to become your best possible self. It’s the duty of each scout to determine for themselves how best to live with Scout Spirit.
1c. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Explain when they should be used.
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| Scout Sign | Scout Salute | Scout Handshake |
| The Scout sign shows you are a Scout. Give it each time you recite the Scout Oath and Law. When a Scout or Scouter raises the Scout sign, all Scouts should make the sign, too, and come to silent attention. |
The Scout salute shows respect. Use it to salute the flag of the United States of America. You may also salute a Scout leader or another Scout. Give the Scout salute by forming the Scout sign with your right hand and then bringing that hand upward until your forefinger touches the brim of your hat or the arch of your right eyebrow. The palm of your hand should not show. |
The Scout handshake is made with the hand nearest the heart and is offered as a token of friendship. Extend your left hand to another Scout and firmly grasp his left hand. Only use this handshake when both people are in uniform. |
1d. Describe the First Class Scout badge and tell what each part stands for. Explain the significance of the First Class Scout badge.
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Shape The three-point design of the top half is like the north point of an old sailor’s compass. This shows that a Scout is able to point the right way in life as truly as the compass points it in the field. |
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Three Points The three points of the trefoil are like the three fingers used in the Scout sign. They stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath: duty to God & country; duty to others; duty to yourself. |
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Eagle and Shield The eagle and shield, national emblem of the US, stand for freedom and a Scouter’s readiness to defend that freedom. |
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Two Stars The two stars stand for truth and knowledge of the Scouting movement. They guide you by night and suggest a Scout’s outdoor life |
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Scroll The scroll is turned up at the ends to remind us of the corners of a Scout’s mouth raised in a smile as he does his duty. The Scout motto is printed across the scroll. |
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Knot The knot attached to the bottom of the scroll represents the Scout slogan, Do a Good Turn Daily. Learn to Tie the Knot |
1e. Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. In your own words, explain what the Outdoor Code means to you.
As an American, I will do my best to be:
CLEAN in my outdoor manners,
CAREFUL with fire,
CONSIDERATE in the outdoors, and
CONSERVATION-minded.
1f. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance. In your own words, explain its meaning.
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
2. After attending at least one Scout troop meeting, do the following:
2a. Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership.
Youth in positions of leadership run the troop. They take care of the many tasks necessary for troop and patrol meetings and activities to run smoothly. By accepting the responsibilities of troop leadership, Scouts are preparing themselves to be leaders throughout their lives.
2b. Describe the four steps of Scout advancement.
Learn:
A scout learns by doing. They grow, then they teach. The EDGE method is a four-step teaching method. Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable.
Test:
Testing is an important part of any type of learning. First, we need to know that the Scout has learned what they are supposed to have learned, and second, we need to know that the methods used to teach the skills or knowledge are effective. If not, changes need to be made.
Once a Scout has been tested and signed off by someone approved to do so, the requirement has been met. The unit leader is accountable for ensuring correct advancement procedures are followed. A part of this responsibility includes the careful selection and training of those who approve advancement in the unit. If a unit leader believes a Scout has not learned the subject for a requirement, they should see that opportunities are made available for the Scout to practice or teach the requirement, so in this way they may complete their learning and further develop their skills.
Be certain that everyone involved understands the fundamental principle that Scouts meet requirements as written – no more and no less.
Note that all merit badge counselors must be registered as merit badge counselors and approved for each badge they counsel by the council advancement committee. Unit leadership has no role in this process, except perhaps to recommend qualified counselors and to support the registration requirement for counselors serving their unit.
Review:
The purpose of a board of review is to determine the quality of the youth’s experience and decide whether they have fulfilled the requirements for a rank. If they have, the board approves the advancement and encourages them to continue the quest for the next rank.
For all ranks (other than Eagle) the board is made up of three to six unit committee members. The review should take approximately 15 minutes, but no longer than 30 minutes.
Boards of review for the Eagle Scout rank are held in accordance with national and local council procedures. Councils decide if these will be done at the council, district, or unit level. Reviews for Eagle Scout ranks should last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Recognize:
Public recognition helps to reward Scouts for their effort while motivating them to continue along the Scouting trail. Recognition also helps to provide an example to other Scouts of what can be accomplished. This is a tremendous factor in encouraging others to get to work.
Today’s young people are used to immediate gratification in the form of cell phones, game applications, video games, text messages, email and social media. Their attention span can be short; and they may only connect their work with the badge if they receive recognition soon after the requirements are completed.
A Scout should be recognized at least three times for each advancement:
- By an announcement and handshake in front of the troop, at a troop meeting or campfire, etc., soon after a rank is achieved.
- By presenting the badge as soon as the advancement report is filed with the council and the badge is available. This should be at a meeting within a week or two.
- At a formal court of honor in front of family and friends. A Scout should also recognize their parent or guardian support with a parent pin.
2c. Describe what the Scouts BSA ranks are and how they are earned.
2d. Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned.
Merit badges cover topics like American Business, Woodwork and everything between. As of this writing, there are 136 different merit badges a Scout can earn.
A scout who dreams of becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting, must earn at least 21 merit badges.
But how? How to earn a merit badge? The info is lifted straight from the Guide to Advancement, page 49 (section 7.0.3.0).
But first, an important reminder from the Guide:
Earning merit badges should be Scout initiated, Scout researched, and Scout learned. It should be hands-on and interactive, and should not be modeled after a typical school classroom setting. Instead, it is meant to be an active program so enticing to young men that they will want to take responsibility for their own full participation.
The recommended process for earning merit badges
- The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin working on the requirements.
- The Scout discusses their interest in the merit badge with their unit leader.
- The unit leader signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one counselor contact.
- The Scout contacts the counselor.
- The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the unit leader.
- The Scout, a buddy and the counselor meet (often several times).
- The Scout finishes the requirements.
- The counselor approves completion.
- The Scout returns the signed blue card to their unit leader, who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.
- The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record.
- The unit reports the merit badge to the council.
- The Scout receives his merit badge.
3a. Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that are used in your troop.
The Patrol is a group of Scouts who belong to a Troop and who are similar in age, development, and interests. The Patrol Method allows Scouts to interact in a small group outside the larger Troop context, working together as a team and sharing the responsibility of making their Patrol a success. A Patrol takes pride in its identity, and the members strive to make their Patrol the best it can be. Patrols will sometimes join with other Patrols to learn skills and complete advancement requirements. At other times they will compete against those same Patrols in Scout skills and athletic competitions.
The members of each Patrol elect one of their own to serve as Patrol Leader. The Troop determines the requirements for Patrol leaders, such as rank and age. To give more youths the opportunity to lead, most Troops elect Patrol Leaders twice a year. Some may have elections more often.
Patrol size depends upon a Troop’s enrollment and the needs of its members, though an ideal patrol size is eight Scouts. Patrols with fewer than eight Scouts should try to recruit new members to get their patrol size up to the ideal number.
3b. Become familiar with your patrol name, emblem, flag, and yell. Explain how these items create patrol spirit.
Patrol spirit is the glue that holds the Patrol together and keeps it going. Building Patrol spirit takes time, because it is shaped by a Patrol’s experiences—good and bad. Often misadventures such as enduring a thunderstorm or getting lost in the woods will contribute much in pulling a Patrol together. Many other elements also will help build Patrol spirit. Creating a Patrol identity and traditions will help build each Patrol member’s sense of belonging.
Every Patrol needs a good name. Usually, the Patrol chooses its name from nature, a plant or animal, or something that makes the Patrol unique. A Patrol might choose an object for its outstanding quality. For example, sharks are strong swimmers and buffaloes love to roam. The Patrol may want to add an adjective to spice up the Patrol name, such as the Soaring Hawks or the Rambunctious Raccoons.
A Patrol flag is the Patrol’s trademark, and it should be a good one. Have a competition to see who comes up with the best design and who is the best artist. Make the flag out of a heavy canvas and use permanent markers to decorate it. In addition to the Patrol name, the Patrol flag should have the Troop number on it as well as the names of all the Patrol members. Mount the flag on a pole, which also can be decorated. Remember, the Patrol flag should go wherever the Patrol goes.
Every Patrol has a Patrol yell, which should be short and snappy. Choose words that fit the Patrol’s goals. Use the yell to announce to other Patrols that your Patrol is ready to eat or has won a Patrol competition. Some Patrols also have a Patrol song.
Other Patrol traditions include printing the Patrol logo on the chuck box and other Patrol property. Many Troops designate Patrol corners somewhere in the Troop meeting room; Patrols may decorate their corner in their own special way. Some Patrols like to specialize in doing something extremely well, such as cooking peach cobbler or hobo stew.
4a. Show how to tie a square knot, two half-hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used.
4b. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope.
5. Tell what you need to know about pocketknife safety.
6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade.
7. Since joining the troop and while working on the Scout rank, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
