A reader recently told me they were feeling frustrated with evaluating advancement requirements and lamented “I sometimes wish the people who write these requirements would actually watch them in a troop environment.” Tell me about it! We get into difficulty when we look at advancement as our aim, or of central importance to Scouting. It […]
All About Advancement
Podcast 367- Developing Youth Leadership
Why is Scouting designed around youth leadership? Most Scouters think a youth led troop is the brass ring of Scouting. What exactly do we mean when we talk about youth leadership? There’s much confusion and misunderstanding of this than nearly any other aspect of Scouting. Our perspective is often narrowly focused on things that aren’t […]
Podcast 366 – Scout Advancement
How does Scout advancement achieve the main aim of Scouting? Todays talk about advancement continues our foundations series. I’ve written extensively in detail about many aspects of Scout advancement, but this is different. In this podcast I ask how Scout advancement fits into the overall game of Scouting. You’ll hear me read from Baden-Powell’s Aids […]
First Class Rank Requirement 1a
Some requirements, like First Class Rank Requirement 1a, can be confusing; Since joining, participate in 10 separate troop/patrol activities, six of which include overnight camping. These 10 activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On at least five of the six campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you […]
Transitioning to the New Rank Requirements
Now the new year has come Scouts registered after January 1, 2016 must use the new rank requirements. What about Scouts registered before December 31, 2015? The answer is a little complicated, but not too hard to understand; Here’s the logic chart as a PDF file, and the BSA document I used to make it. […]
Scout Requirements and “Double Dipping”
Can a Scout fulfill more than one requirement with a single activity? The answer is always clear after a careful reading of the Scout requirements and the directions in the Guide to Advancement 2015 – 4.2.3.6 Fulfilling More Than One Requirement With a Single Activity From time to time it may be appropriate for a Scout to apply what […]
Thoughts on Scout Requirements
Are you motivated and inspired by the Scout requirements? What about your Scouts? Are your fellow Scouters inspired to administer them by adopting an encouraging, inspiring tone themselves? Can you smell the wood smoke and feel the warming glow of a campfire against the cold sting of a winter campout when you read them? Ask your Scouts […]
New Eagle Rank Requirements
This is seventh in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I found […]
New Life Rank Requirements
This is sixth in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I found […]
New Star Rank Requirements
This is fifth in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I found […]
New First Class Rank Requirements
This is is fourth in a series of posts abut the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I […]
New Second Class Rank Requirements
This is third in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I found the new […]
New Tenderfoot Rank Requirements
This is second in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle How the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I found the new requirements in this […]
New Scout Rank Requirements
This is first in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I found the new requirements in […]
Stop Being a Merit Badge Counselor
“Merit Badge Counselor”, taken literally, describes someone who counsels a bit of cloth called a merit badge. I know nobody actually counsels inert bits of cloth, but it makes you think doesn’t it? We don’t counsel merit badges, we counsel real, live, individual Scouts. Scouts may have a lot in common, but each deserves individual attention. Merit badges are much more than […]
Court of Honor Ceremony
This is one plan for a court of honor we’ve used in my troop for many years based on a few simple rules of thumb; Brief, formal, yet meaningful – Depending on the number of awards and presentations this court of honor should take no more than 45 minutes from beginning to end. Most of our ceremonies […]
Eagle Scout Gifts
Every so often I am asked for ideas about choosing gifts for Eagle Scouts (gifts for new Eagles Scouts are nice, but they aren’t expected as a rule). I believe any Eagle Scout would be pleased to receive any of the gifts listed here. Here’s a selection of Eagle Scout gifts with the Eagle Scout emblem. The BSA […]
Scoutmaster’s Conference FAQ
Here’s an comprehensive look at the Scoutmaster’s conference. All of the references below are official publications of the BSA (the Guide to Advancement 2013 and the Scoutmaster’s Handbook). I have refrained from adding any commentary or opinion because I think the resources can speak for themselves. I will note this explanation included in the beginning of the […]
What is an Eagle Scout?
Asking “what is an Eagle Scout?” sparks interesting conversations among Scouters. This question got me wrapped around my own axle for a few years; but not anymore. Conversations about Eagle Scout commonly unfold like an operatic libretto. The curtain rises on the chorus singing about how once proud standards have fallen because now just anyone can be an Eagle Scout. Stories of overzealous parents, […]
Court of Honor FAQ
Here’s what the official resources say about Courts of Honor: The Guide to Advancement 2013: 4.2.1.4 The Scout Is Recognized When the board of review has approved his advancement, the Scout deserves recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next unit meeting. His achievement may be recognized again later, […]
Podcast 230 – The Internal Standard
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers What kind of an internal standard is the aim of our work? We want our Scouts to form resilient character that they can call on as they move forward in life, we have some ofttimes overlooked opportunities to build an internal standard that will be a valuable asset. I’ll share how you can […]
To Parents at an Eagle Court of Honor
Here’s an idea of what can be said at an Eagle Court of Honor to help parents understand their role in Scouting. This is a big day, and it all goes by fast. Before we go any further; mom and dad, take a moment to look at your Scout. A Scout goes through uncertain times to […]
Scout Service Projects 2nd Class, Star, and Life
Scout service projects are a basic element of any solid program, and participation in them is a requirement for advancement in rank. What service projects qualify for rank requirements? Let’s begin by looking at the requirements themselves: Second Class requirement: Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project. Star and Life requirement: … take part in service […]
Shackleton’s Board of Review
Sir Ernest Shackleton’s board of review for the rank of World Explorer assembled one evening and began reading over his application and supporting documentation. He earned all of his merit badges on Captain Scott’s Antarctic Discovery Expedition in 1901–04, and clocked his leadership tenure as the leader of British Antarctic Expedition in 1907–09. For his […]
