Table of Contents

Section 1. Introduction

• 1.0.1.0 Questions and Suggestions
• 1.0.2.0 Significant Changes

Section 2. Advancement Defined

• 2.0.0.1 It is a Method - Not an End in Itself
• 2.0.0.2 Experiential Learning Is the Foundation
• 2.0.0.3 Personal Growth Is Prime Consideration
• 2.0.0.4 The Methods of Scouting.

Section 3. Guidelines for Advancement and Recognition Committees

• 3.0.0.1 Council Advancement Committee Responsibilities
• 3.0.0.2 District Advancement Committee Responsibilities
• 3.0.0.3 Unit Advancement Responsibilities
• 3.0.0.4 Awards and Recognitions

Section 4. The Mechanics of Advancement

• 4.0.0.1 Changes to Requirements
• 4.0.0.2 Reporting Advancement
• 4.0.0.3 Age Exception for Youth With Disabilities

4.1.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement: In Cub Scouting

• 4.1.0.1 Delivering the Cub Scout Program
• 4.1.0.2 The Role of the Pack Committee
• 4.1.0.3 Who Approves Cub Scout Advancement?
• 4.1.0.4 “Do Your Best”

4.1.1.0 Cub Scout Ranks

• 4.1.1.1 Bobcat
• 4.1.1.2 Tiger Cub
• 4.1.1.3 Wolf
• 4.1.1.4 Bear
• 4.1.1.5 Progress Toward Ranks Emblem
• 4.1.1.6 Arrow Points
• 4.1.1.7 Webelos Badge
• 4.1.1.8 Compass Points
• 4.1.1.9 The Arrow of Light Award

4.1.2.0 Cub Scouting Activity-Based Programs

• 4.1.2.1 Fun for the Family Program
• 4.1.2.2 Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program
• 4.1.2.3 More on Webelos Activity Badges

4.2.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement: In Boy Scouting and Varsity Scouting

• 4.2.0.1 Scout Advancement Age Requirements

4.2.1.0 Four Steps in Scout Advancement

• 4.2.1.1 The Scout Learns
• 4.2.1.2 The Scout Is Tested
• 4.2.1.3 The Scout Is Reviewed
• 4.2.1.4 The Scout Is Recognized

4.2.2.0 Varsity Scouting Particulars

• 4.2.2.1 Varsity Scout Letter
• 4.2.2.2 Varsity Scout Denali Award

4.2.3.0 Rank Requirements Overview

• 4.2.3.1 Active Participation
• 4.2.3.2 Demonstrate Scout Spirit
• 4.2.3.3 Service Projects
• 4.2.3.4 Positions of Responsibility
• 4.2.3.4.1 Positions Must Be Chosen From Among Those Listed
• 4.2.3.4.2 Meeting the Time Test May Involve Any Number of Positions
• 4.2.3.4.3 Meeting Unit Expectations
• 4.2.3.4.4 Meeting the Requirement in the Absence of Unit Expectations
• 4.2.3.4.5 When Responsibilities Are Not Met
• 4.2.3.4.6 “Responsibility” and “Leadership”
• 4.2.3.5 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference

4.3.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement: In Venturing

• 4.3.0.1 The Goals of Venturing

4.3.1.0 Advancement in Venturing

• 4.3.1.1 The Venturing Awards
• 4.3.1.1.1 Bronze Award
• 4.3.1.1.2 Gold Award
• 4.3.1.1.3 Silver Award
• 4.3.1.1.4 Ranger Award
• 4.3.1.1.5 Quest Award
• 4.3.1.1.6 TRUST Award
• 4.3.1.2 Past Credit for Venturers
• 4.3.1.3 Multiple Credit for Venturers
• 4.3.1.4 Boy Scout Advancement in Venturing and Sea Scouts

4.4.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement: In Sea Scouts

4.4.1.0 Sea Scout Ranks and Awards

• 4.4.1.1 Apprentice Rank
• 4.4.1.2 Ordinary Rank
• 4.4.1.3 Able Rank
• 4.4.1.4 Quartermaster Rank
• 4.4.1.4.1 Time Extensions for Earning Quartermaster Rank
• 4.4.1.4.2 Submitting the Quartermaster Application
• 4.4.1.5 The Skipper Conference
• 4.4.1.6 Sea Scout Bronze Award
• 4.4.1.7 Other Sea Scout Awards
• 4.4.1.8 Bridges of Honor

4.4.2.0 The Sea Scout Bridge of Review

• 4.4.2.1 Purpose and Timeliness of Bridges of Review
• 4.4.2.2 Composition of the Bridge of Review
• 4.4.2.3 Conducting the Bridge of Review
• 4.4.2.4 Particulars for Apprentice Through Able Ranks
• 4.4.2.5 Particulars for the Quartermaster Rank
• 4.4.2.6 Quartermaster Bridge of Review Beyond the 21st Birthday
• 4.4.2.7 Initiating Quartermaster Bridge of Review Under Disputed Circumstances
• 4.4.2.8 Appealing a Quartermaster Bridge of Review Decision

Section 5. Special Considerations

5.0.1.0 Advancement in Camp Settings

• 5.0.1.1 Procedures Established by Council Advancement Committee
• 5.0.1.2 Procedural Examples
• 5.0.1.3 Advancement Committee Approves Merit Badge Counselors
• 5.0.1.4 Statement on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement
• 5.0.1.5 Advancement Committee As a Partner in Camp-Related Advancement

5.0.2.0 Extended Absence From Scouting

5.0.3.0 Lone Scouting

• 5.0.3.1 Lone Scout Advancement Procedures
• 5.0.3.2 Lone Scouts and Merit Badges
• 5.0.3.3 Eagle Scout Applications for Lone Scouts

5.0.4.0 Youth From Other Countries

5.0.5.0 Religious Principles

5.0.6.0 Bestowing Posthumous Awards

5.0.7.0 Spirit of the Eagle Award

Section 6. Internet Advancement Highlights

• 6.0.0.1 Benefits of Internet Advancement
• 6.0.0.2 How Internet Advancement Works
• 6.0.0.3 Where to Find Internet Advancement Help

Section 7. The Merit Badge Program

• 7.0.0.1 The Benefits of Merit Badges
• 7.0.0.2 Unit Leader Signs Application for Merit Badge (“Blue Card”)

7.0.1.0 About Merit Badge Counselors

• 7.0.1.1 Qualifications of Counselors
• 7.0.1.2 Sources of Merit Badge Counselors
• 7.0.1.3 Venturing Consultants as Merit Badge Counselors
• 7.0.1.4 Counselor Approvals and Limitations
• 7.0.1.5 Registration and Reregistration
• 7.0.1.6 Training for Counselors

7.0.2.0 Merit Badge Counselor Lists

• 7.0.2.1 Getting Started
• 7.0.2.2 Web-Based Counselor Lists
• 7.0.2.3 Unit Counselor Lists

7.0.3.0 The Process of Counseling

• 7.0.3.1 The Buddy System and Certifying Completion
• 7.0.3.2 Group Instruction
• 7.0.3.3 Partial Completions

7.0.4.0 Merit Badge Miscellany

• 7.0.4.1 New Merit Badges
• 7.0.4.2 Revising Merit Badges
• 7.0.4.3 What to Do When Requirements Change
• 7.0.4.4 Discontinued Merit Badges
• 7.0.4.5 Earning Eagle-Required Merit Badges for Star or Life Rank
• 7.0.4.6 Once It Is Earned, It’s Earned

Section 8. Boards of Review: An Overview for All Ranks

• 8.0.0.1 Purpose and Timeliness of Boards of Review
• 8.0.0.2 Boards of Review Must Be Granted When Requirements Are Met
• 8.0.0.3 Composition of the Board of Review
• 8.0.0.4 Wearing the Uniform—or Neat in Appearance

8.0.1.0 Conducting the Board of Review

• 8.0.1.1 Not a Retest or “Examination”
• 8.0.1.2 What Should Be Discussed
• 8.0.1.3 How Boards Can Lead to Program Improvement
• 8.0.1.4 Board Members Must Agree Unanimously on Decisions to Approve
• 8.0.1.5 After the Review

8.0.2.0 Particulars for Tenderfoot Through Life Ranks (or Palms)

8.0.3.0 Particulars for the Eagle Scout Rank

• 8.0.3.1 Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday
• 8.0.3.2 Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances

8.0.4.0 Appealing a Decision

• 8.0.4.1 Filing and Processing an Appeal
• 8.0.4.2 Appeal Board Must Research the Case

Section 9. The Eagle Scout Rank

9.0.1.0 The Eagle Scout Rank Application Process

• 9.0.1.1 Complete All the Requirements
• 9.0.1.2 Prepare the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook
• 9.0.1.3 Complete the Application
• 9.0.1.4 Obtain Required Signatures
• 9.0.1.5 Submit to Council Service Center
• 9.0.1.6 Council Verifies Application and Board of Review Scheduled
• 9.0.1.7 References Contacted
• 9.0.1.8 Application Returned to Council Service Center
• 9.0.1.9 Council Sends Application to National Advancement Team
• 9.0.1.10 National Advancement Team Returns Credentials

9.0.2.0 The Eagle Scout Service Project

• 9.0.2.1 What an Eagle Scout Candidate Should Expect
• 9.0.2.2 “While a Life Scout . . .”
• 9.0.2.3 “Plan, Develop . . .”
• 9.0.2.4 “Give Leadership to Others . . .”
• 9.0.2.5 “Helpful to Any Religious Institution, Any School, or Your Community”
• 9.0.2.6 “Benefit an Organization Other Than Boy Scouting”
• 9.0.2.7 “Proposal Must Be Approved . . . Before You Start”
• 9.0.2.8 “Use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook”
• 9.0.2.9 Eagle Scout Service Project Coach
• 9.0.2.10 Fundraising Issues
• 9.0.2.11 Routine Labor
• 9.0.2.12 Addressing Common Misconceptions
• 9.0.2.13 Evaluating the Project After Completion
• 9.0.2.14 Risk Management and Eagle Scout Service Projects
• 9.0.2.15 Insurance and Eagle Scout Projects

9.0.3.0 About Eagle Palms

9.0.4.0 Time Extensions

• 9.0.4.1 Process for Submitting and Evaluating an Extension Request

Section 10. Advancement for Members With Special Needs

10.1.0.0 Registering Qualified Members Beyond Age of Eligibility

• 10.1.0.1 Possible Criteria for Registering Beyond Age of Eligibility
• 10.1.0.2 How to Register a Member Beyond Age of Eligibility

10.2.0.0 Advancement Flexibility Allowed

10.2.1.0 Advancement for Cub Scouts With Disabilities

10.2.2.0 Advancement for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts With Disabilities

• 10.2.2.1 Using Alternative Requirements
• 10.2.2.2 How to Apply for Alternative Requirements
• 10.2.2.3 Alternative Merit Badges for Eagle Scout Rank
• 10.2.2.4 Approval for Special-Needs Eagle Candidates Over Age 18

10.2.3.0 Advancement for Venturers and Sea Scouts With Disabilities

• 10.2.3.1 Working Toward Boy Scout Advancement
• 10.2.3.2 Working Toward Venturing Awards
• 10.2.3.3 Working Toward Sea Scout Ranks

10.2.4.0 Awards for Outstanding Service Benefiting Special-Needs Members

• 10.2.4.1 Woods Services Award
• 10.2.4.2 Torch of Gold Certificate

Section 11. Appendix

11.1.0.0 Frequently Asked Questions

11.1.0.1 Cub Scouting

11.1.0.2 Boy Scouting and Varsity Scouting

11.1.0.3 The Eagle Scout Rank

11.1.0.4 Venturing

11.1.0.5 Special-Needs Scouting

11.2.0.0 Request for Extension of Time to Earn Eagle Scout Rank

11.3.0.0 Belated Eagle Scout Rank Application

11.4.0.0 Advancement and Recognition Literature and Resources

11.5.0.0 Charter and Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America: Articles Related to Advancement