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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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. 

6. 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

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

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

9. Patrol Leaders are essential to the success of the Troop!

10. “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

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

12. 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.

13. 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.”

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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!

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. Plan an advancement campout for shortly after crossover

22. Advancement Methods:
Demonstration
Hands-On
Discussion

23. 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 minute discussion - 20 minute activity

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

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

26. 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

27. 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.

28. #1 Dressed/Packed for Campout
Program Example Cont.
May/June
Scout Skill
Nature
Camping
Tenderfoot
# Poisonous Plants
#1 Dressed/Packed for Campout
# Pitch/Sleep in Tent
Second Class
# Wild Animals
# Leave No Trace
#3b Select patrol site
First Class
# Native Plants

29. 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

30. 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

31. #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

32. 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

33. #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

34. 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
# Internet safety cyberbully

35. 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

36. # 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
# Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants in your community

37. #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

38. #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

39. #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

40. 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

41. 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

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

43. Is First Class – First Year Achievable?
YES !