Advancement

Ranks, advancement, and merit badges are inter-related.  These advancements are not an end unto themselves but rather mark milestones of achievement and means to an end hopefully at the level of Eagle.  Even those who do not attain the most advanced ranks will develop skills that that can be enjoyed and pursued as a lifelong process.  This experience is meant to help young men become adults with leadership skills and the ability to work in groups.

Designated Boy Scout and Adult Leaders must sign merit badge and rank requirements.  We encourage a Scout to also use approved merit badge counselors outside of our troop for merit badges so that he will gain experience in dealing with new people.  BSA policy requires that Merit Badge Counselors be a registered Scouter.  Parents interested in teaching and/or being counselors for merit badges or any phase of Scouting skills are urged to tell the Advancement Coordinator.  This help is always needed and appreciated.  The Troop will assist parents in the registration process.

To pass any Merit Badge, the Scout must have read and understood the material in the Merit Badge Book.  The Counselor or Troop Board of Review may ask questions regarding material in these books.

The Boy Scout advancement is essentially a 4-step process as follows:

1. “Learning-by-doing” the Scout learns and develops self-confidence.  As he learns, he teaches others the skills that he masters.
2. Testing - the Scout shows the testing counselor that he understands the material needed to advance in rank or to receive an appropriate merit badge.
3. Review - a board of review is required as set forth by the troop committee and Scoutmaster for advancement to the levels of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Palms.  The Eagle Board of Review is conducted according to Old North State Council procedures.

The review has 3 purposes:

a.      to make sure work is completed

b.      to find out what type of experience the Scout is having in his patrol and troop

c.      To encourage the Scout to continue progressing in Scouting.

4. Recognition – after advancement is certified by the Board of Review, recognition is performed in a timely manner, preferably at the same meeting or the next meeting.  Formal presentation of the certificate and badge may await the Court of Honor.  The Court of Honor has a main purpose of providing a venue for formal recognition of accomplishment.

A Scoutmaster Conference is required for every rank advancement.  Its purpose is to ensure that the Scout is ready for his Board of Review.  This also presents an opportunity to discuss goals, achievements and future direction of the Scout.

Merit Badges

The merit badges are awarded for Scouts fulfilling requirements in specific fields of interest with a large range of assorted activities from which to choose.  Each counselor must be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America and have expertise or strong interest in the chosen subject.  The “Buddy” system should be used in these activities, since BSA does not allow a lone adult to work with a lone boy on a project.

Merit Badge Counselors Requirements

1. 18 yrs or older of good character
2. Have sufficient skills and education in area of subject matter
3. Be registered as adult member of BSA

Service Projects

Required for rank advancement to help foster sense of personal responsibility and citizenship.  See Scout Handbook for specific requirements for each rank.