Advancement

Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank. It is one of the key methods of Scouting. Scouts are provided opportunities and encouraged to work with their elder Scouts, Adult Leaders and Parents on requirements for Rank awards on the Trail to Eagle.

The first 4 Ranks, Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are focused on Scouting Skills, Fitness and Citizenship along with Activities and Service participation. The last 3 Ranks, Star, Life and Eagle are focused on Merit Badges, Leadership, and Service.

It Is a Method—Not an End in Itself

Advancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. It is one of several methods designed to help unit leadership carry out the aims and mission of the Boy Scouts of America.

Advancement Is Based on Experiential Learning

Everything done to advance—to earn ranks and other awards and recognition—is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons. Members learn and develop according to a standard. This is the case from the time a member joins and then moves through the programs of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing or Sea Scouts.

Experiential learning is the key: Exciting and meaningful activities are offered, and education happens. Learning comes from doing. For example, youth may read about first aid, hear it discussed, and watch others administer it, but they will not learn it until they practice it. Rushing a Scout through requirements to obtain a badge is not the goal. Advancement should be a natural outcome of a well-rounded unit program, rich in opportunities to work toward the ranks.

Personal Growth Is the Primary Goal

Scouting skills—what a young person learns to do—are important, but not as important as the primary goal of personal growth achieved through participating in a unit program. The concern is for total, well-rounded development. Age-appropriate surmountable hurdles are placed before members, and as they face these challenges they learn about themselves and gain confidence while progressing in rank.

Advancement Requires Mentorship

Though certainly goal-oriented, advancement is not a competition. Rather, it is a joint effort involving the adult leaders, the youth members, other volunteers such as merit badge counselors or Venturing consultants, and the family. Though much is done individually at their own pace, youth often work together in groups to focus on advancement at troop meetings, for example, or participate in a Scouts BSA camp out. As they do this, each young person’s unique combination of strengths and weaknesses is observed and recognized by watchful leaders, either adult or youth, who lend assistance as called for and encourage members to help each other according to their abilities.