This FAQ provides an overview of how advancement occurs in Scouts in general and in Troop 134 in particular. Scouts BSA offers more information here, and regularly updates the Guide to Advancement, a resource that answers most questions.
- What is advancement?
Advancement refers to a Scout’s progress through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Each rank has its own requirements, which are identified in the back of the Scout Handbook and can be viewed in PDF form at the links toward the bottom of this page on the Scouts BSA website. - How do Scouts advance through the ranks?
First, Scouts gain the knowledge and skills to complete each requirement and are tested by demonstrating what they learned. After checking off all the requirements for a rank, Scouts have a Scoutmaster Conference, then sit for a Board of Review (for all ranks except the initial “Scout” rank) to ensure they’ve met all advancement requirements for the rank. Finally, Scouts are recognized and receive a new rank badge. - How do the ranks differ?
Scout rank teaches the basics, beginning with the Scout Oath and Law. Tenderfoot, Second and First Class ranks focus on Scouts learning and practicing outdoor skills, first aid, physical fitness, and citizenship. Star, Life, and Eagle emphasize service and mentoring, requiring Scouts to hold troop leadership positions, be very active in troop meetings and events, and earn merit badges. - What are merit badges?
Merit badges offer a fun way for Scouts to customize their Scouting experience based on their interests. There are more than 135 merit badges, each described here, and a Scout may work on them regardless of rank. Scouts must earn at least 21 badges, including 14 required topics, to make Eagle rank. - Should Scouts focus on advancement tasks, merit badges, or both
Until Scouts achieve First Class rank, Troop 134 recommends focusing primarily on rank advancement requirements. It is important to learn basic Scout skills and values so they can safely and effectively help the troop during events like campouts. Also, Scouts must reach First Class before holding troop leadership positions, which are essential to advancing to Star, Life, and Eagle. Leadership terms are four to six months depending on rank. So achieving First Class is most important, and there’s still plenty of time for merit badges. - Can Scouts work on more than one rank at the same time?
Scouts can work on requirements for all ranks up to First Class at the same time, though they should concentrate on achieving Scout rank first. Star, Life, and Eagle ranks generally require individual focus. - How does Troop 134 teach the first rank of Scout?
All who join are referred to as “Scouts,” but they don’t achieve the rank of Scout until they have completed all of that rank’s requirements, detailed here. Troop 134 holds a new Scout “boot camp” for the first several meetings after Cub Scouts cross over in the spring. Those who join the troop later meet with older Scout mentors and Scoutmasters to learn the requirements. - How long does it take for Scouts to advance through each rank?
Scouts move ahead at their own pace. Many try to achieve Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks within their first year to 18 months. Star, Life, and Eagle ranks take at least six months to a year, and Scouts may work toward these until their 18th birthday. - How do Scouts earn merit badges?
Troop 134 encourages its Scouts to attend Summer Camp and Winter Camp because they typically can earn several merit badges. Scouts are advised to take at least two Eagle-required merit badge classes at each camp. There are also merit-badge courses in the metro Atlanta area, such as the annual Merit Badge University, where Scouts spend one morning working with a merit badge counselor on a badge of their choice. In addition, a number of Troop 134 parents and Scoutmasters serve as merit badge counselors, mostly working with Scouts to finish requirements from camps. If Scouts want to work on badges not covered in-house, they may be paired with merit badge counselors from elsewhere in the BSA’s Atlanta Area Council. - What is a “blue card”?
“Blue card” refers to the nationally recognized merit badge record. The formal title is “Application for Merit Badge,” and a Scout requests these from the troop when seeking to pursue a new merit badge. The Scoutmaster signs the card and the Scout is paired with a merit badge counselor. When counselors are satisfied Scouts have met all the requirements, they sign and return blue cards. However, most camps and some merit badge clinics simply provide reports showing a Scout’s progress on merit badges instead of using blue cards. - Who should I contact if I need help identifying a merit badge counselor?
Ask an adult leader at meetings or contact Wayne Salter, Troop 134’s Merit Badge Counselor Coordinator, who can help identify an appropriate counselor. He can be messaged through Scoutbook. - How does Troop 134 track rank advancement?
Scoutmasters sign next to requirements in Scout Handbooks or enter them directly into Scoutbook. - What is Scoutbook?
Scoutbook is an online tool accessible at scoutbook.com. Each Scout has an individual record of rank advancement and merit badge progress. Scoutbook also provides several other tools, such as Troop 134’s calendar (allowing Scouts to RSVP for events) and messaging tools for Scouts to contact Scoutmasters, parents, and other Scouts. - Can Scouts track their own advancement?
Yes, up to a point. In Scoutbook, Scouts may tick a checkbox next to each advancement or merit badge requirement they believe they have learned. This turns the checkbox green. After a Scout is tested on the requirement, a Scoutmaster will also tick the checkbox, turning it blue. The box turns yellow after the Scout has been awarded the relevant rank or merit badge. - How does a Scout request a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review?
Scouts should ask an adult leader during a Scout meeting or e-mail the Scoutmasters through Scoutbook. - What is Advancement Night?
Advancement Night primarily focuses on advancement counseling for Scouts working toward the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. Troop 134 holds Advancement Nights two or three times a year, and sign-up links are e-mailed to the Scouts in advance. Each Scout signs up for a 20-minute slot to discuss advancement requirements they believe they have met, as well as to develop a plan for how to accomplish remaining tasks to advance to the next rank. Parents should plan to attend with their Scout. - What are other opportunities for Scouts to receive advancement counseling?
Counselors may be available to meet with Scouts before Troop 134 meetings on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. Scouts may also discuss advancement during meetings, as time permits, or at campouts, depending on the nature of the event and availability of a Scoutmaster or other adult leader. - How do Scouts transition from the Life rank to Eagle?
A Scout must meet a number of special requirements to become an Eagle Scout. For Troop 134, Tom Atkinson oversees the Life-to-Eagle program and can answer questions about the process. He can be contacted through Scoutbook. - What is a Court of Honor?
A Court of Honor is a special ceremony where the troop recognizes rank advancement and awards merit badges. Parents are encouraged to attend. All Scouts should wear their dress uniform: Class A shirt, green pants (or jeans) with belt, neckerchief and slide, and merit badge sash. Troop 134 typically holds Courts of Honor twice a year. - How can parents help the troop?
Troop 134 wants to engage as many parents as possible in helping run the troop. Commitments can vary from an hour every couple of months to meeting with Scouts on a weekly basis. We have roles to fit nearly all backgrounds and commitment levels. Please contact Jason Stach about ways to get more involved.