1 Troop 374 Advancement Basics View In Slide Show Mode

This Presentation Will Cover Scouting overview: mission, aims, and methods Four steps to Advancement Rank awards Scoutcraft, Woodcraft, Campcraft Merit badges Helpful advice Questions and Answers (hopefully) Resources

Boy Scouts of America Mission Statement The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Scout Oath Scout Law “ On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. ” “A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent

Aims of the Scouting Program Character development Citizenship training Mental and physical fitness Every activity in Scouting should support one or more of these aims. Guide to Advancement topic

Methods of Scouting Scouting ideals Patrol method Advancement Association with adults Outdoors Leadership development Uniform Personal growth Guide to Advancement topic

Four Steps in Boy Scout Advancement 1.The Scout learns. 2.The Scout is tested. 3.The Scout is reviewed. 4.The Scout is recognized. Guide to Advancement topic Scouts are directly involved in the first two steps Scoutmasters and Committee Members in all 4 steps

Rank Awards: Scouting's Trail to Eagle Scout Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life Eagle Boy Scout Handbook Page 14 Scoutcraft – Preparing for Scouting’s adventures and life Woodcraft – Understanding, appreciating, and caring for nature while you travel and live in the outdoors Campcraft – Learning skills useful along the trail, in camp and beyond

Scoutcraft: oLeadership oCitizenship oFitness oFirst Aid oAquatics Boy Scout Handbook Pages Self-leadership Forming, researching, and achieving your vision Leading others in your troop, your family and your community Stages of leadership Making good choices How citizenship began Our nation’s history Your rights and duties as a citizen The American Flag Your community and you Serving your community Knowing your state, your nation, and the world Envisioning physical fitness Completing the steps to better fitness Tenderfoot fitness checklist Stretching Healthy eating and the food guide pyramid Maintaining the proper weight Getting enough sleep Taking care of and protecting your body Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs Staying mentally awake and morally straight The goals of first aid and why first aid is important Personal and group first-aid kits First-aid method Basic first-aid techniques First aid for hurry cases Moving an ill or injured person BSA Safe Swim Defense Learning to swim Basic strokes BSA swimmer test Floating Water rescues Aquatics opportunities

Woodcraft: oNature oLeave No Trace Boy Scout Handbook Pages Ecosystems Understanding and indentifying plants Identifying and obsevring wildlife Tracking and stalking Features of weather Stars and constellations Taking care of the environment Scouting trail to outdoor ethics Using Leave No Trace Beyond Leave No Trace

Campcraft: oHiking oCamping oCooking oNavigation oTools Boy Scout Handbook The Scout Basic Essentials Food and water for the a hike Making a trip plan Appropriate clothing Leave No Trace hiking Pace Trail manners Cross-country hiking Hiking and weather safety Staying found Overnight camping Scout camps Planning a camping trip Choosing a backpack Choosing a campsite Choosing a tent Making your bed outdoors Keeping clean Protecting camp food Beyond campouts Planning your meals Food for the outdoors Menus Eating kits Cook kit Stoves and campfires Sharing kitchen duties Cleaning up after meals Meals Cooking aluminum foil Cooking without utensils Making meals into special events Keeping a cooking notebook Measuring Tools of navigation How to use a compass Using maps and compasses on hikes, bike trips, and other Scout adventures Global Positioning Ststem (GPS) receivers Finding directions using the stars, the sun, and the moon Compass game Orienteering courses Navigating your way forward Whipping and fusing rope ends Tying knots Lashings Using and caring for pocketknives, saws, and axes Building, lighting, and managing campfires Camp stoves

Scout, Wood and Camp craft Developing Skills For a Lifetime Scout Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Boy Scout Handbook Where does a Scout learn these skill? Troop meetings, campouts, summer camp, school, home… How long will it take? months, each Scout has his their own pace…

Rank Awards: Scouting Trail to Eagle Star – 4 months Life – 6 months Eagle – 6 months Demonstrate Scout Spirit Earn Merit Badges Service Project Leadership Boy Scout Handbook Scout Spirit – Making the Scout Oath, and Scout Law part of your life. “You prove that you have caught this spirit by the way you help in your patrol, troop, home, school, church or synagogue, and community and habits of caring for your own things and protecting the properties of others.” Merit Badges – Earn 21 Service Projects – Support your community Leadership - Patrol or Troop, sharing knowledge and offering guidance and encouragement to others.

Merit Badges: Their Role in Advancement Merit badges are integral to the advancement program. Any Scout may earn them at any time, including qualified Venturers and Sea Scouts. Merit badges are required for Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks. A total of 21 are required for Eagle. Some merit badges are “elective”; some are “required.” Twelve specific merit badges are required for Eagle, with 13 required beginning Jan. 1, Guide to Advancement topic

Four Steps in Boy Scout Advancement 1.The Scout learns. 2.The Scout is tested. 3.The Scout is reviewed. 4.The Scout is recognized. Guide to Advancement topic Merit badge counselors are directly involved in the first two steps.

Broad Range of Subjects Agribusiness Arts and crafts Business and industry Communications Conservation Hobbies Natural science Personal development Physical science Professions Public service Sports Trades Transportation More than 130 merit badges in 14 subject areas: Guide to Advancement topic

Benefits of Merit Badges Contribution to the aims of Scouting: citizenship, character, and fitness Development of confidence, self-reliance, and social skills Physical fitness and healthy lifestyles Career and hobbies choices may result Exposure to positive role models:You! Guide to Advancement topic

Merit Badge Opportunities During troop meetings. 3-4 merit badges are held during the Scouting year. Merit badge clinics. 2-3 clinics are offered annually: LDS, Raleigh MBU, NCSU… Summer camp. This should not be the primary focus of first year Scouts. Rank programs are priority. Merit badges secondary With a Buddy and Counselor and other adult (2 deep leadership).

Helpful Advice Read your Scouts handbook, it has the answers. Your Scout should develop good record keeping habits. Notebook, handbook, Advancement coordinator… Update handbook and merit badge progress routinely with the Advancement coordinator. Troop 374 maintains electronic records using Troopmaster. Handbooks and notebooks can be lost forever, electronic records can be reproduced forever!

Questions?

Resources Guide to Advancement, No BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting, No Merit badge pamphlets Boy Scout Requirements, No Boy Scout Handbook, No For More Information Other advancement presentations available at: AdvancementandAwards/resources.aspx