How to Advance

"Advancement in troops" refers to the progress a Scout makes through ranks within a Scouting America troop, where they advance at their own pace based on individual achievement, while "advancement in packs" refers to the more structured, age-based progression through ranks within a Cub Scout pack, where Scouts move through ranks based on their grade level, not necessarily individual skill level; essentially, troops allow for more independent advancement while packs have a set progression based on age.

Also unlike being part of a den, patrol, or Cub Scout Pack, Scouts are responsible for initiating the tracking of their own advancement. Individual Scouts are responsible for seeking out a Scout of First Class Rank or higher or a Scout leader to demonstrate their newly acquired Scout skills to in order to be signed off in the Scout handbook as complete. 

Scouts can work on the first four ranks simultaneously. At times, requirements are set to occur within a specified rank or in a certain order as part of the advancement; however, this is clearly stated in the Scout Handbook. This freedom for Scouts to work on skills simultaneously allows all Scouts to receive credit for skills worked on within meetings, camping trips, and more. 

Finally, merit badges are also an important part of advancement. A total of 21 merit badges must be earned for the Eagle Scout rank, including these 14 merit badges: (a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in Society, (e) Citizenship in the World, (f) Communication, (g) Cooking, (h) Personal Fitness, (i) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (j) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (k) Personal Management, (l) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (m) Camping, and (n) Family Life.

As Scouts complete ranks, merit badges and other awards, they are awarded at Courts of Honor. Troop 103 has three of these annually. They usually occur in late September/ early October, February/March, and June. Families are invited to attend these events to celebrate their Scout's advancement and the successes of the Troop.

Rank Descriptions

• Scout:
  The entry-level rank where a new member learns basic Scoutcraft skills, the Scout Oath and Law, and fundamental safety practices. 

• Tenderfoot:
  Introduces basic camping skills like pitching a tent, fire building, first aid basics, and identifying common plants. 

• Second Class:
  Further develops camping skills, includes map reading with a compass, more advanced first aid, knot tying, and basic cooking outdoors. 

• First Class:
  Focuses on advanced Scoutcraft skills like canoeing, weather awareness, more complex first aid, and personal fitness. 

• Star Scout:
  Requires earning a significant number of merit badges, demonstrating leadership within the troop, and performing community service. 

• Life Scout:
  Builds upon leadership roles, earns more merit badges, and further develops personal character and community involvement. 

• Eagle Scout:
  The highest rank, requiring a substantial service project, a high number of merit badges, and demonstrating exceptional leadership and character throughout the scouting experience. 

Merit Badge Process

"Merit badges" are awards earned by Scouts by completing specific requirements within a particular area of study, allowing them to explore different fields and demonstrate proficiency in various skills, with the goal of potentially identifying future career interests; to achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout, a certain number of merit badges must be earned across diverse categories like camping, first aid, and citizenship. 

In order to start a merit badge, a Scout must go to the unit leader to ask to start the merit badge. Scouts must also have or even seek assistance in finding a merit badge counselor. Although the Troop has many merit badge counselors, we do not have counselors for all merit badges. 

Scouts will then receive a blue card to fill out with their information. This card will be given to the merit badge counselor who may or may not keep the card while the Scout is working on the merit badge.

As Scouts learn about the topics of their chosen merit badges and complete the requirements they need to discuss their accomplishments with their merit badge counselors. As the requirements are met, the counselor will keep track of advancement on the blue card.

As Scouts complete merit badges, the counselor will sign the blue card as complete. The card is then brought back to the unit leader who will sign it. The signed blue card is then given to the advancement chair. The Scout will receive the patch for having completed the merit badge at the next Court of Honor.