Baden-Powell Council University Of Scouting 2012 First Class Emphasis Baden-Powell Council University Of Scouting 2012 Lisa A. Vroman

BSA Philosophy While advancement is important to all Scouts, it is the philosophy of the BSA that all boys complete at least the requirements for First Class while in Scouting. The process is called First Class Emphasis or FCE.

Scouting is a values-based program with its own code of conduct Scouting is a values-based program with its own code of conduct. The Scout Oath and Law help instill the values of good conduct and honesty.

A boy who spends one year in a Scout troop will learn a lifetime skills. He will learn basic outdoor skills, self-reliance, and how to get along with others. Scouting will prepare him to live a more productive and fulfilling life.

Having a well planned First Class Emphasis program in place gives our new Scouts a strong start in Boy Scouts by building a strong foundation with their Scout skills towards rank advancement, leadership and merit badges. 

Get your Troop involved with Webelos! Who are scouts that usually need First Class – most are newly transitioned Webelos ! Get your Troop involved with Webelos! Familiar faces can make transition less scary – talk about Troop events, traditions, etc. – perk their interest!! For most Troops: Troop Survival = Webelos Rechartering after initial crossover

Which Patrol Method to use…? Split Scouts into existing Patrols ? New Scout Patrol ? Which Patrol Method to use…?

Patrol Leader Meetings No matter which Patrol method you choose – make sure you have organized, reliable scouts in leadership positions Patrol Leader Meetings

Patrol Leaders are essential to the success of the Troop!

“A boy who advances to First Class within his first year in Scouting has a better-than-average chance of eventually becoming an Eagle Scout.” From the Scoutmaster Handbook

FIRST CLASS EMPHASIS A First Class Emphasis program is an action packed program for scouts working on Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class.

First Class Emphasis ► 1. Be a hands-on experience. ► 2. Be a progressive learning process, whereby each previous rank’s skills will be expanded upon. ► 3. Permit a Scout to work on requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks simultaneously. ► 4. Not require a merit badge. ► 5. Require participation in ten patrol activities, including three one night overnight camps. These activities are in addition to patrol meetings. ► 6. Be more than 80 percent outdoor-related. ► 7. Requires participation in a service project for Second Class rank.

FIRST CLASS EMPHASIS ►Merit Badges are not recommended for FCE Scouts. ►Possible exception: 1st Aid Merit Badge ►They have a full program learning Scout skills for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. ►If they are to become proficient in these Scout skills and First Class Scouts in fact and deed, they do not have time for merit badges. ►They will have years in Scouts to earn Merit Badges. “All things at their proper time and place.”

Earning First Class Rank is a sign that these new Scouts have mastered the fundamentals of Scouting and have become net contributors to the troop. They are now ready to care for themselves and others and to begin the process of learning to lead others, refining the learned skills and learning more advancement skills.

GOAL: For the Scout to achieve the rank of First Class within 12 to 18 months after joining the Troop. It is important that parents realize that this is a goal, not a requirement.

An active, organized Troop What does it take for a scout to achieve First Class by the end of the “First Year” Actually by the second summer Bridge-over spring 2012 Goal = First Class by end of summer 2013 An active, organized Troop Campouts, day hikes Community Service Projects Accurate record keeping A motivated Scout Scout handbook at every event Participation in summer camp

Set an advancement goal for the year….. In other words plan ahead! Scoutmaster Asst. Scoutmasters Troop Advancement Chair Troop Committee Patrol Leaders Set an advancement goal for the year….. In other words plan ahead!

If you fail to plan… then You plan to fail !

Start with focusing on the Scout Badge. Where to Start ? Start with focusing on the Scout Badge. Being able to award the Scout Badge at the year-end Court of Honor has important meaning to the Scout, his family and the Troop. Everyone likes to be recognized for their achievement – this can be a way to keep a scout’s interest and involvement during the summer months.

Scout Badge Meet age requirements: Be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old. Complete and turn in a Boy Scout application and health history signed by your parent or guardian. Find a Scout troop near your home. Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot). Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan, and the Outdoor Code. Describe the Scout badge. Complete the Pamphlet Exercises. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide". Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

Plan an advancement campout for shortly after crossover

Advancement Methods: Demonstration Hands-On Discussion

Discussion Scout-age boys are not interested in lectures and discussion, but if someone closer to their own age who they look up to is leading them then discussions can be effective. - 20 minute discussion - 20 minute activity

Demonstration This can be done at the troop level or at the patrol level. - 5 minute demonstration - reference the appropriate page in the handbook

Hands-On Scouts would rather be doing! - groups of 3-8 work best

EDGE Method Explain how it is done - Tell them Demonstrate the steps - Show them Guide learners as they practice - Watch them do it Enable them to succeed on their own - Use memory aids, practice it, they teach it

Program Example March April Complete the requirements for the Scout Badge as soon as possible after Webelos Cross-over or a new scout joining. This should only take 1 or 2 meetings.

#1 Dressed/Packed for Campout Program Example Cont. May/June Scout Skill Nature Camping Tenderfoot # 11 Poisonous Plants #1 Dressed/Packed for Campout #2 Pitch/Sleep in Tent Second Class #6 10 Wild Animals #2 Leave No Trace #3b Select patrol site First Class #6 10 Native Plants

Divide the ranks into categories – this will ensure that all requirements are addressed and therefore achieved. Knots/Lashes Camping Scout Spirit Nature Map/Compass Fitness Cooking Swim Fire Safety First Aid Citizenship

Camping Tenderfoot Second Class First Class #1 Dressed/Packed for a campout #2 Pitch/Sleep Tent Second Class #2 Leave No Trace #3a 5activities / 2 overnight campouts #3b Select site – pitch/sleep tent First Class #3 10 activities / 3 overnight campouts Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4 Event 5 Event 6 Event 7 Event 8 Event 9 Event 10 Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4 Event 5

#8a - Safe swim precautions Tenderfoot Second Class #8a - Safe swim precautions #8b – Swim ability #8c – Water rescue First Class #9a - Safe Trip Afloat #9b - BSA Swim test #9c – Line Rescue

Cooking Tenderfoot Second Class First Class #3 – assist with prep/cook/ cleanup Second Class #3g - plan/cook hot meal - good nutrition - transport/store food First Class #4a –Help plan patrol menu of 3 meals – requires cooking for two - meet nutritional needs/ food pyramid #4b – Using the menu from 4a – show cost and amounts needed #4c – items needed for cooking meals from 4a #4d – safe handling/storage of fresh food - proper disposal of rubbish #4e – Serve as patrol cook #4f – Lead your patrol in grace – supervise cleanup

#4c –teach square knot using EDGE Knots and Lashes Tenderfoot #4a – whip/fuse rope #4b – 2half hitches - tautline hitch #4c –teach square knot using EDGE Second Class First Class #7 – proper use of lashings demonstrate - timber hitch – clove hitch - square ,shear, diagonal #7b – make a camp gadget #8a – Bowline knot

Safety #5 – rules of safe hiking - what to do if lost Tenderfoot #5 – rules of safe hiking - what to do if lost #9 - importance of buddy system - bullying Second Class #3 c – Demonstrate proper care, sharpening and use of: knife, saw and axe. Discuss when they should be used. #9b – Explain the 3R’s of personal safety & protection First Class # 11 - Internet safety - cyberbully

Citizenship Tenderfoot #6 – demonstrate – display, raise, lower, fold American flag Second Class #4 – participate in a flag ceremony #5 – participate in an approved service project (minimum 1 hour) #10 – earn/save money First Class #5 – visit/discuss constitutional rights & obligations as a US citizen with an approved individual

# 11 – Identify Local Poisonous Plants and how to treat Nature Tenderfoot # 11 – Identify Local Poisonous Plants and how to treat Second Class # 6 - Identify or show evidence of 10 kinds of wild animals found in your community First Class # 6 - Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants in your community

#3 e – Discuss cooking fire vs. lightweight stove Tenderfoot Second Class #3 d – Use the tools from 3c to prepare tinder, kindling and fuel for a cooking fire #3 e – Discuss cooking fire vs. lightweight stove #3 f – Approved time/place – demonstrate fire building and lightweight stove set up First Class

#1 b – Using a map & compass – take an adult approved 5 mile hike Map and Compass Tenderfoot Second Class #1 a – Demonstrate how a compass works, orient a map. Explain map symbols. #1 b – Using a map & compass – take an adult approved 5 mile hike First Class #1 – Demonstrate how to find directions – night and day – without a compass #2 – Using a map & compass – complete an orienteering course – at least 1 mile – measure designated items

#10 b – Show improvement – 30 days Fitness Tenderfoot #10 a – Record your best Push-ups Pull-ups Sit-ups Standing Long Jump ¼ mile walk/run #10 b – Show improvement – 30 days Second Class First Class

First Aid Second Class Tenderfoot First Class # 12 a - Demonstrate care – choking # 12 b – Show first aid: Simple cuts/scrapes Blisters Minor burns/scalds Bites/stings of insects/ticks Venomous snakebite Nosebleed Frostbite/sunburn Second Class # 7 a – Show first aid: Stopped breathing Serious bleeding Ingested poisoning # 7 b – Prepare personal first aid kit # 7 c – Show first aid: Object in eye Bite of suspected rabid animal Puncture wounds Serious burns Heat exhaustion Shock Heatstroke, dehydration, hypothermia, hyperventilation # 9 a – participate in program on drug, alcohol & tobacco dangers First Class # 8 b – Show bandaging: Sprained ankle Head injury Upper arm injury Clavicle injury # 8 c – Show alone & with help: Transport from a smoke filled room # 8 d – Five (5) most common signs of a heart attack Explain steps in CPR

Scout Spirit Tenderfoot Second Class First Class #7 – Scout Oath, Law, Motto & Slogan # 8 – Know your patrol name, yell & flag # 13 - Demonstrate Spirit - Oath & Law in your everyday life – give 4 specific examples Second Class # 11 - Demonstrate Spirit - Oath & Law in your everyday life – give 4 specific examples First Class # 10 – Invite a friend to a scout event # 12 Demonstrate Spirit – Oath & Law in everyday life – give 4 specific examples

Final Steps… All ranks require a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review as the last steps in earning the rank.

Is First Class – First Year Achievable? YES !