Advancement for Dummies A guide for scouts and parents in Troop 737

Because Boy Scout advancement can makes us all feel like dummies sometimes. Pete Owen Troop 737 Advancement Coordinator Nov 2010

Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Ranks Merit Badges Merit Badge Counselors Advancement Binders Other Stuff

Ranks

The Ranks z z z z z z z

Scout Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life Eagle

Four Steps of Advancement z z z z

Learning Testing Review Recognition

What it takes to get promoted z z z

Learning - Complete the rank requirements in the scout handbook Testing - Pass a skills test Review – –

z

Complete a scoutmaster conference Attend a Board of Review

Recognition – Get promoted! Hint: ALWAYS print off a “Rank Advancement Form & Instructions” worksheet from the troop website at http://www.troop737waveriders.com/resources.html.

Learning: Rank Requirements z

Located in the Boy Scout Handbook –

z

Requirements can be signed off by any senior scout – –

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Sometimes BSA makes changes effective the first of the new year (see www.scouting.org for updates). Once a scout has completed any requirement of the next rank (except Eagle), he is not responsible for any new changes BSA makes later on. At least a 1/C Holds the same or higher rank than the rank the requirement is for

Any scoutmaster or assistant scoutmaster can also sign off on the requirement –

But scout teaching and evaluation is preferred

More on completing rank requirements z z

The troop and individual patrols plans a lot of activities to help the scouts get these done. Be sure to complete the sections in your handbook as you go. –

z z

Example: for Second Class, complete the section in your handbook in which you must write down ten kinds of wild animals you identified.

Make sure you keep a record of all your scouting activities For Star and Life candidates: Your leadership requirement must be signed off by your adult mentor.

Testing: Pass the Skills Test z z z

Scouts must pass a skills test for advancement to Tenderfoot, 2/C, and 1/C. The purpose of the Skills Test is quality control -- to ensure the scout has mastered all the requirements for the next rank. Once the scout has completed the requirements, he needs to 1. 2.

Print off the “Rank Advancement Form & Instructions” worksheet and follow the instructions. Contact the Troop Scribe and request a “Skills Test and Scoutmaster Conference.” (The troop scribe is a scout leadership position that rotates every six months.)

More on the Skills Test…. z z z

The scribe will schedule the Skills Test. A senior scout (Troop Guide or Instructor) will test the scout. The scout needs to – –

–

Wear his field uniform to the Skills Test. Bring the Rank Advancement Form, his Boy Scout Handbook, and records of all his scouting activity. Be ready to be tested on what he has learned.

Review: Scoutmaster Conference z

z z

The purpose of the Scoutmaster Conference (SMC) is to ensure the scout has demonstrated the spirit and character to advance to the next rank. It is not another skills test. The scribe will schedule the SMC. –

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Often the SMC will immediately follow the skills test.

The scout needs to – – –

Wear his field uniform to the SMC. Bring the Rank Advancement Form, your Boy Scout Handbook, and records of all scouting activity. Be ready to discuss his experiences in scouting and how he lives the Scout Oath and Law in his life.

Review: Board of Review z

z z

The purpose of the Board of Review (BoR) is to ensure the troop is doing its job to develop the scout in accordance with the ideals of scouting. It is not another skills test. The scribe will schedule the BoR. –

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The BoR will almost never be scheduled the same night as the SMC, in order to allow the scout to correct anything the SMC identified.

The scout needs to – – –

Wear his field uniform to the BoR. Bring the Rank Advancement Form, your Boy Scout Handbook, and records of all scouting activity. Be ready to discuss his experiences in scouting and how he lives the Scout Oath and Law in his life.

Recognition z

z

Once the scout completes the BoR, it’s the scout’s job to turn the worksheet in to the Advancement Coordinator The Advancement Coordinator will – – –

z z

Enter the rank in BSA online advancement Forward documents to the Orange County Council Purchase the badge

The scout will receive his new rank at the earliest opportunity – ideally at the next troop meeting Note: the scout’s time in grade for the new rank starts from the date he completed his BoR (i.e., not the day the rank is presented) –

That’s important for Star, Life, and Eagle

Special Instructions for Life-to-Eagle z

The process for advancement to Eagle Scout, the rank requirements, and the documentation are all more extensive and complex than previous ranks. – –

z

Advancement Binders are mandatory for Eagle. All Blue Cards + Summer Camp MB Completion sheets must be turned in with the Eagle packet

Once a scout earns the Life Scout rank, he should contact the Troop Life-to-Eagle Counselor as soon as possible. –

Contact info on last slide

Merit Badges

Merit Badge Basics z z z z z

There are 128 different Merit Badges (MBs) They are all fun Some MBs are required for higher ranks The scout earns a MB with the guidance of an adult Merit Badge Counselor (MBC) There is paperwork

Merit Badge Steps 1.

Decide what MB you want to earn z

2. 3. 4.

Get a blue card Get a Scoutmaster’s permission to start the MB Contact a MBC z z

5. 6. 7. 8.

There is a list at usscouts.org/usscouts/meritbadges.asp

You MUST contact the MBC before working on the req’ts The Advancement Coordinator has a list of MBCs

Complete the MB requirements The MBC signs the blue card Turn the blue card in to the Advancement Coordinator You’ll receive your MB at the next Court of Honor z

There are only 3 Courts of Honor annually, so it may be awhile

Blue Cards 1 z z z

The Blue Card is officially the “Application for Merit Badge.” It serves as a record of the scout’s achievement. Anyone can buy these from the Scout Shop.

Blue Cards 2 z z

The scout first fills in the information where it says “Scout fills in (1)” The Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster signs where it says “Scoutmaster signs (2)” –

–

This authorizes the scout to work on the badge. The Scoutmaster needs to confirm the scout is ready for this MB. The Scoutmaster can help the scout identify a suitable MBC. Scout fills in (1)

Blue Cards #3 z

z

Once the scout completes the requirements, the MBC completes the part of the MB indicated. The MBC retains the 1/3 of the card that says “Counselor’s Record.”

Blue Cards #4 z

IMPORTANT: The Scout should check and make sure that the following items have been filled in by the merit badge counselor: 1. 2. 3. 4.

the name of the merit badge; the name of the merit badge counselor; the date the requirements were completed the counselor's signature.

Blue Cards #5 z

Turn in the remaining 2/3 of the Blue Card to the Advancement Coordinator – – –

Not to a Scoutmaster Not to another scout Not to your parent Adv. Coord.

Adv. Coord.

The Advancement Coordinator will sign the rest of the card. z Mr. Owen has a drop box at troop meetings that is on his front porch at all other times z

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311 Calle Cuervo, San Clemente, CA 92672

Blue Cards #6 z

At the CoH you will receive – – –

z

Your MB The “Applicant’s Record” 1/3 of your MB A green & white certificate

Never, never, ever lose your blue card!

Merit Badge Days and Summer Camp z

Merit Badge Days are hosted by troops to help scouts complete MBs – –

Often there are pre-requisites to complete beforehand Follow the normal Blue Card process z

z

i.e., you need to bring a Blue Card with you that’s already been signed by a troop Scoutmaster.

Summer Camps often print out a blue MB completion sheet (8 1/2” x 11”) in lieu of a blue card –

No blue card is required in these cases

Eagle Required Merit Badges z

15 of the 128 MBs are “Eagle Required,” or “silver ringers” –

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These 15 MBs have a distinctive “silver ring”

One Eagle Rank Requirement states, “Earn a total of 21 merit badges, including the following: 1. First Aid 2. Citizenship in the Community 3. Citizenship in the Nation 4. Citizenship in the World 5. Communications 6. Personal Fitness

7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving 8. Environmental Science 9. Personal Management 10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling 11. Camping, and 12. Family Life

Star and Life MB Requirements z z

Star: “Earn 6 merit badges, including 4 from the required list for Eagle.” Life: “Earn 5 more merit badges (so that you have 11 in all), including any 3 more from the required list for Eagle.” –

That will give you a total of 7 “silver ringers.”

MB Counselors

How to become a MB Counselor 1.

2.

If you are not already a registered adult, contact the Troop Registrar to register Complete Youth Protection Training online –

z

Complete a MB Counselor Application Form –

3.

http://olc.scouting.org. http://advan.counciltraining.net/occforms

Turn in the MB Counselor Application Form and a copy of your YPT certificate to the Advancement Coordinator

MB counselor's responsibilities Adapted from BSA’s guidelines

1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Follow the requirements of the merit badge, making no deletions or additions, ensuring that the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all scouts. Have another adult or another scout present with each scout at all instructional sessions. (That’s a YPT requirement.) Assist the Scout as he plans the assigned projects and activities to meet the merit badge requirements. Coach Scouts through interviews and demonstrations on how to do the required skills of the craft, business, or hobby. Certify the Scout after determining that he is qualified for the merit badge. Renew your registration as a merit badge counselor annually and YPT every two years to continue serving as a merit badge counselor.

More MB Counselor stuff z

There is no limit to the number of MBs you can request to be a counselor for –

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Discourage scouts from coming to the same counselor over and over for all their badges –

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Working with different adults helps the scout mature

Make sure the scout has an Scoutmaster’s signature on the Blue Card –

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But you have to submit an application for them all

You can’t sign as both Scoutmaster and MBC on the same card

Keep the Counselor Record portions of all Blue Cards –

If the scout loses his, you can make another, even years later

Advancement Binders

Advancement Binders z

These are optional, but a darn good idea –

z z

They are mandatory for Eagle

Three ring binders that zip closed are the best Baseball card holders are ideal for: – – –

The Applicant’s Record portion of all Blue Cards Green and White MB certificates Rank certificates

Advancement Binders The binder should also contain records of: z Service hours z Troop activities z Nights of camping z Hikes: location, distance and dates z Dates of Troop Leader billets z Specific accomplishments while a Troop Leader z Other awards

HINT: Avoid the disaster of losing your advancement documentation. Over 50% of the scouts our Eagle  Counselor works with have lost at least one scout handbook! Make a copy of your Advancement Binder &  the completed Requirements pages of your Scout Handbook each time you earn a new rank & before taking  your handbook to summer camp.

Other Stuff

Besides ranks and MBs, scouts can earn other awards such as: z

z z z z z z z z z z

National Outdoor Badges (Camping, Hiking, Aquatics, Riding, Adventure) National Outdoor Achievement Medal Boardsailing BSA BSA Lifeguard Mile Swim, BSA Snorkeling, BSA Kayaking, BSA Scuba, BSA Leave No Trace Awareness Award William T. Hornaday Awards World Conservation Award

z z z z z z z z z z z z z z

50 Miler Award Historic Trails Award Firem'n Chit Card Totin' Chip Card Paul Bunyan Woodsman Den Chief Service Award Emergency Preparedness Award International Activity Badge International Youth Exchange Interpreter's Strips Lifesaving and Meritorious Awards Physical Fitness Award Recruiter Strip Religious Emblems

Advancement Myths 1.

“I have to purchase a MB Guidebook.” z

2.

“The Advancement Coordinator is the sole source in the known universe for Blue Cards.” –

3.

False. The troop has a library you can borrow from, and the MBC may not require you to use one or may have one. Check with the MBC first.

False. Anyone can buy these from the Scout Shop

“The Board Members will let the Advancement Coordinator know I passed my BoR.” z

False. The scout must turn in his completed Rank Advancement Worksheet in to the Advancement Coordinator.

Troop Advancement Drop Box z z z z

The Advancement Coordinator has a drop box This is for advancement paperwork (only) Mr Owen brings the drop box to troop meetings Between troop meetings it’s on his front porch – –

311 Calle Cuervo, San Clement, CA 92672 You don’t need to call ahead to drop stuff off

Questions? z

Pete Owen, Advancement Coordinator – – –

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Ellen McDannell, Life-to-Eagle Counselor – – –

z z z

(619) 733-9262 [email protected] 311 Calle Cuervo, San Clemente, CA 92672 949‐661‐7320 [email protected] 27571 Seascape Circle, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

BSA: www.scouting.org Orange County Council: www.ocbsa.org Troop website: www.troop737waveriders.com