General Guidelines

The advancement program is designed to provide the Boy Scout with a chance to achieve the aims of Scouting. As a Scout advances, he is measured and grows in confidence and self-reliance.

When a badge and certificate are awarded to a Boy Scout to recognize that he has achieved a rank, they represent that a boy has:

• Been an active participant in his troop and patrol.
• Demonstrated living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Law in his daily life.
• Met the other requirements and/or earned the Merit Badges for the rank.
• Participated in a Scoutmaster conference.
• Satisfactorily appeared before a board of review.

In the advanced ranks (Star, Life and Eagle), the badge represents that the boy has also:

• Served in a position of responsibility in the troop
• Performed service to others

Four Steps of Advancement

A Boy Scout advances from Tenderfoot to Eagle by doing things with his patrol and his troop, with his leaders and on his own. It’s easy for him to advance, if the following four opportunities are provided for him.

1. The Boy Scout Learns: A Scout learns by doing. As he learns, he grows in ability to do his part as a member of the patrol and the troop. As he develops knowledge and skill, he is asked to teach others; and in this way he begins to develop leadership.

2. The Boy Scout is Tested: A Scout may be tested on rank requirements by his patrol leader, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, a Troop Committee Member, or a member of his troop. The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those qualified to give tests and pass candidates. The Scout’s merit badge counselor teaches and tests on the requirements for merit badges.

3. The Boy Scout is Reviewed: After a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank, he has a board of review. For Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Palms, the review is conducted by members of the troop committee. The Eagle Scout Board of Review is conducted in accordance with local council procedures.

4. The Boy Scout is Recognized: When the board of review has certified a boy’s advancement, he deserves to receive recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next troop meeting. The certificate for his new rank may be presented later at a formal court of honor.

Age Requirements

Boys’ awards are for boys. The merit badge program is one of Boy Scouting’s basic measurement tools. Earning merit badges gives a boy the kind of self-confidence that comes from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal.

Through the merit badge program, a boy also learns career skills, develops socially and may develop physical skills and hobbies that give a lifetime of healthful recreation.

The steps to follow in the merit badge program are outlined in the current Boy Scout Requirements. The book lists the requirements a Scout meets to earn each of the more than 100 merit badges that are available. Scouts must be tested individually, and they must meet all the requirements.

This is the official site of the Des Plaines Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America

This page was last modified on Thursday, August 2, 2007 @ 09:00pm