While advancement is a key part of the Scouting program, it's important to keep a good balance between advancement work and allowing Scouts to have fun. Remember that most Scouts live in a very scheduled school world, sports, and even weekly Scout meetings. Unstructured time at camp, where Scouts get to make decisions and do what they want to do, can be very beneficial to most youth Scouts.
To get the most out of your Units week at camp, take inventory of your Units advancement needs and build the Unit and patrol program around these needs. Advancement will be a natural result of a Scout's participation in that program. Be sure each Scout takes their Scouts, BSA Handbook to Camp. Specific advancement opportunities offered at Wah-Tut-Ca are outlined on the program page.
Advancement Standards
All advancement at the Nexus is accomplished by the same methods that are standard in the BSA.
Advancement is accomplished through four distinct steps:
● Learning - A Scout learns by doing. They learn outdoor skills by hiking and camping. They learns Scout skills in Patrol and Unit sessions. Scouts tend to advance naturally by doing activities with their fellow Scouts
● Testing - A Scout demonstrates their ability to members of the Patrol Leaders
● Reviewing - Three or more members of the Troop Committee conduct the Board of Review. The Board of Review for the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle will usually occur when a Troop returns home. If there are enough members of the Troop committee in camp, then this step may be accomplished in an outdoor setting.
● Awarding - The Scout is "recognized" in front of their fellow members for their accomplishments. Once the Scoutmaster has received the Advancement Folder from the Program director on Saturday, it may be a good idea to give out, or let everyone know while the parents are there what each Scout has accomplished.
Merit Badge Applications (Blue Cards)
The Spirit of Adventure Council does not require our units to complete and turn in blue cards. All advancement will be tracked on rosters throughout the week and inputted into Scoutbook on Friday. Staff members are not responsible for filling out Blue Cards for Scouts after the summer has concluded.
Merit Badge Counselors
All Merit Badge Counselors at Wah-Tut-Ca are qualified members of the camp staff under the supervision of the Program Directors, and in many cases, under the direct supervision of an area director certified by National Camping School as a specialist in their field. All Merit Badge Counselors are also trained and certified by the Spirit of Adventure Advancement Committee.
Partial Merit Badge Completions
At Wah-Tut-Ca we aim to uphold the highest standards for Merit Badge completion. Per BSA advancement standards, any Merit Badge counselor reserves the right to test a Scout on material worked on with councilors outside to verify that the Scout has completed the requirement in accordance with our standards.