Rank Advancement
Welcome to Boy Scouts! Boy Scouts is a lot different and a lot more fun than Cub Scouts. Here is some information to help you get off to a great start: Get your Boy Scout book right away and read the requirements for Scout (you probably already know everything if you’ve earned your Arrow of Light). Start a notebook, a list in your book, or a computer file to list every scout activity you do. This is very important since you will need to document activities and community service for rank advancement, merit badges, and eventually for your Eagle Rank. The biggest obstacle boys have to earning Tenderfoot right away is the exercise section. You probably are doing those exercises right now in 5th grade. Write down your times and then you will just have to do them again in 30 days. See the attached pages to learn how to have your book signed. The other big change is that parents do not sign the book ever (unless he or she is a leader or in charge of an activity. However, parents can write a note to document their son’s activities, (community service done through church or school, an activity done with another group, etc.). The scout will then show that to the scoutmaster or senior patrol leader to be signed off. This is also explained on an attached page. Please remember that there are no deadlines for ranks except your 18th birthday, when you become an adult. The troop will help you move forward in rank, however it is mostly up to you. There are plenty of older scouts, parents, and leaders to help you (and your parents) along the way.Boy Scout Advancements can be very confusing at first. With ranks, boards, conferences, courts, etc. it may seem daunting. Attached is more information about advancement. As Advancement Chairman, I keep track of ranks and badges and try to help the boys move forward. If you keep track of activities and read the handbook, you'll do fine. No hurry (we only bug 17 year old Life Scouts to get movin'). If you need a merit badge counselor, I will give you names. I am not allowed to publish or distribute the whole list. This site will be great for your questions, since you are probably not the only person asking. When your son has a question, please have him call me himself.
The main goal is to learn while having FUN!
Nancy Doyle.
The main goal is to learn while having FUN!
Nancy Doyle.
