Troop 328 New Parent Orientation

Overview – Rank Advancement Why are we here? –Educate, ease transition for new parents –Get to know each other –Ask / answer questions

What is Advancement? Personal Growth – prime consideration Learning by doing Each Scout progresses at his own rate A merit badge is recognition for what a Scout is able to do not just a reward

What is Advancement? Advancement encourages Scouting engagement Accommodates the 3 aims of Scouting –Participating Citizenship –Growth in moral strength & character –Mental & physical development

Methods (to achieve aims) Advancement - Self-reliance-ability to help others- challenge Ideals - Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan Patrols - Peer groups-elected representation-activities Outdoors - All outdoor programs Adult Association - Image-role model-example Personal Growth - Good Turn-service projects-religious emblems Leadership Development - Leadership skills and practice-citizenship Uniform - Commitment to aims-identity

What is Advancement? Advancement rules/processes –Boy Scout Handbook –Committee Policies & Procedures (by-laws) –Positions of Responsibility Patrol LeaderChaplain Aid Troop GuideJunior ASM InstructorSenior Patrol Leader LibrarianAsst SPL Troop HistorianOA Representative QuartermasterScribe

4 Steps of Advancement 1. The Boy Scout Learns –By Doing –Grows in his ability to do his part –As he develops knowledge/skill he is asked to teach others –He develops leadership skills –Cheerful service to others

4 Steps of Advancement 2.The Boy Scout is Tested –Rank requirements (SM, ASM, JASM, etc.) Sign-off in the Boy Scout Handbook –MB Counselor teaches & tests on the requirements of merit badges

4 Steps of Advancement 3. The Boy Scout is Reviewed –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review 4. The Boy Scout is Recognized –Troop Meeting –Certificate at Court of Honor –Rank & Merit Badge

Ranks in Boy Scouting A Rank badge recognizes that a Scout has: –Demonstrated living the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life. –Scout has been an active participant in his Troop/Patrol. –Met the other requirements for his current rank. –Participated in a SM Conference. –Satisfactorily appeared before a Board of Review.

Ranks in Boy Scouting Scout Rank –1 st Rank Earned –Boy Scout Handbook –Scout Master Conference –No Board of Review required –Recognized at next Court of Honor, receives badge

Ranks in Boy Scouting Tenderfoot Rank –Boy Scout Handbook –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review –Recognized at next Court of Honor, receives badge

Ranks in Boy Scouting 2 nd Class Rank –Boy Scout Handbook –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review –Recognized at next Court of Honor, receives badge

Ranks in Boy Scouting 1 st Class Rank (commonly recognized as a “true” Boy Scout) –Boy Scout Handbook –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review –Recognized at next Court of Honor, receives badge

First Class to Star Boy Scout to First Class –Focuses on Scout skills: first aid, cooking, uniform, camping, knots, etc. Star to Eagle –Focuses on life skills: Merit Badges, service to others, leadership development, Merit Badges, etc. All ranks emphasize the Ideals of Scouting

Ranks in Boy Scouting Star Rank –Additionally represents, serving in a position of responsibility & service to others –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review –Recognized at next Court of Honor, receives badge –Earn 6 Merit Badges (4 Eagle)

Ranks in Boy Scouting Life Rank –Additionally represents, serving in a position of responsibility & service to others. –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review –Recognized at next Court of Honor, receives badge –Earn 5 more Merit Badges (3 Eagle)

Ranks in Boy Scouting Eagle Rank –Additionally represents, serving in a position of responsibility & service to others –Eagle Project –Before turning 18 years old –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review –Recognized at an Eagle Court of Honor, receives badge and pin –Have earned 21 Merit Badges (12 Eagle required)

Ranks in Boy Scouting Eagle Palms –Bronze, Gold, Silver –Before turning 18 years old –Scout Master Conference –Board of Review –Recognized at next Court of Honor –Have earned 5 additional Merit Badges. Merit Badges earned anytime since becoming a Boy Scout count.

Advancement Procedures Bring Handbook to outings and meetings Attend Scouting Campouts and Summer Camps Unless noted, any requirement can be done in any order without prior rank for Boy Scout to First Class ranks Requirements for Star to Eagle (and Palms) must be completed in order Sign-offs can happen before, during, after a Troop meeting, on outings, etc. Handbooks are signed by: –Scout Master (SM) –Assistant Scout Masters (ASM) –Junior Assistant Scout Masters (JASM) Parents do not sign-off on handbook!

Advancement Procedures Scout Master Conferences –Scout must call Scout Master to schedule a conference Board of Review –Successful completion of Scout Master conference (Scout Master Conference is always first) –Scout must call Advancement Chair to schedule a Board of Review Court of Honors –Family always invited and expected –Ranks are honored with a ceremony –Merit Badges are presented –Special Awards are bestowed

Merit Badge Overview Merit Badge program teaches a Scout –Career skills –Social skills –Physical skills –Potential hobbies –Exposure to a variety of opportunities & special interests More than 120 Merit Badges –121 Merit Badges –15 Eagle Merit Badges (12 required, 3 “or”) –106 Special Interest Merit Badges

Merit Badge Overview Citizenship Community Communication Citizenship WorldCitizenship Nation Swimming Family Life First Aid CyclingHiking LifesavingEmergency Prep Environmental Science Camping Personal Management Personal Fitness

Merit Badge Overview Once the badge is “started” either the old or new requirements (if applicable) can be followed. Group Instruction or One on One No expiration on a started Merit Badge (unless 18 yrs old)

Merit Badge Procedure 1.Pick the Merit Badge & secure a “Blue Card” from one of the Leaders and attain their signature and date 1.Do you have a Merit Badge Counselor? 2.Names available from our District Merit Badge Counselor list 2.Scout is qualified to begin working on Merit Badge Note: Must be at least Scout rank before you can earn a Merit Badge 3.Scout fills out Name, Address, Troop, District and Council on Blue Card 4.Check out Merit Badge book from Librarian If one is available or purchase the book, Read the book, 5.Speak with Counselor about what he / she expects

Merit Badge Procedure 6.Print out MB worksheets, also available online 7.Complete prerequisites prior to meeting with Counselor 8.After Merit Badge is completed, Counselor fills in and signs back of the Blue Card 9.Return Blue Card to any leader for signature 10.Give Blue Card to Advancement Chair 11.Scout will be recognized at the next Court of Honor with a Merit Badge & MB card/certificate 12.Keep safe the Blue Card and certificate

Health Physical Forms Completed health physicals forms are required for both Boys and Adults attending Scout activities i.e. weekend outings, summer camp, high adventure, etc. Must be completed by a MD Health forms are “current” based on 12 calendar months A new health form has just been implemented The health form is linked to the web page under Troop Information There are no longer 3 separate forms (Class 1, 2 & 3) use these new forms as soon as your current physical expires This information is available at the STATUS OF TROOP PHYSICALS spreadsheet also on the web page

Closing… Questions? Please ask! Scout Master Assistant Scout Masters Troop Committee Members Troop web site: