Advancement

Advancement is the fundamental process in which Scouts learn skills, enhance knowledge, and develop leadership principles within the values and ideals of the Scout Oath and Law

A scouts' personal achievement through rank advancement promotes and encourages ongoing program involvement and commitment throughout their experience in the scouting program, and beyond. Developing standards of character, leadership, and physical fitness, their advancement progress helps continually improve readiness for more complex responsibilities in scouting and throughout their life.

In support of Rank Advancement, the Merit Badge program offers areas of specialized learning and skill with a large variety of topics. Adult leaders provide their skills and experiences to share in a scouts' learning. Scout Leaders and Adult Leadership of Troop 533 are honored to help scouts advance in their personal development, and encourage all to meet with Merit Badge Counselors often in their pursuit of advancement. There are more than 135 Merit Badges a Scout can earn, at any time.

RANK ADVANCEMENT

Rank Advancement Items - Approval: Please coordinate with your Patrol Leader, a Senior Scout, or only as needed a Scoutmaster to meet together or virtually to review/approve completion of a rank requirement items through First Class. If meeting virtually, the scout completing the requirement will put the initials of the approving scout/leader and date completed in their Scout Handbook. Please see the Adult Leaders or Youth Members page for contact information. At all times, the approving reviewing is to inital/sign and date the given achievement.

Scoutmaster Conference: Scouts should send an email to advancement@bsatroop533.org to request a Scoutmaster Conference (please include your parent/guardian on the email). This meeting is to help you with any questions you may have and to help prepare you for your Board of Review and your continued success in Scouting. You may also approach them during a regular meeting or outing - please be prepared that they may not be able to help you immediately.

Merit Badge Rank Requirements: Scouts advancing to Star and Life rank have merit badge requirements that MUST be completed in order to advance. The following requirements must be met for these ranks:

Star Scout Rank: Earn 6 merit badges, including any 4 from the required list for Eagle (link)
Life Scout Rank: Earn a total of 11 merit badges, including any 7 from the required list for Eagle (link) - 4 of the 7 will be the ones you earned for Star rank, so you need 3 more for Life rank.

Scouts seeking advancement to Star and Life rank should validate that merit badge requirements have been met before requesting a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review

Leadership Rank Requirements: Scouts advancing to Star and Life rank have leadership requirements that MUST be completed in order to advance. The following requirements must be met for these ranks:

Star Scout Rank: While a First Class Scout, serve actively in your troop for four months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop): Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide.
Life Scout Rank: While a Star Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following troop positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop): Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide.

Scouts seeking advancement to Star and Life rank should validate with the Scoutmaster that leadership requirements have been met.

Board of Review (BOR): With all your rank requirements completed, signed/initialed and dated, and a Scoutmaster Conference held, please print/complete a BOR Request Form (link) and present to our Advancement Coordinator or Assistant Advancement Coordinator in-person at a troop meeting. Please ensure your Scout Handbook is updated and current for your currently achieved rank.

Boards of Review are typically conducted before or during our troop meetings. If needed, other arrangements can be made.
Come prepared - Scouts will be requested to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Slogan, and the Scout Motto. For First Class and above, they will be asked to recite the Outdoor Code. Scouts are to come in a complete Scouts BSA Uniform, with BSA Neckerchief and a given slide. First Class scouts and above should be wearing the full, official BSA uniform with their merit badge sash. If you need support or assistance, please notify the Troop Scoutmaster.
Scouts will be asked questions about their progress in Scouting, various items completed for the given Rank, and an overall evaluation of the progress of the Scout’s achievements. Please review the Rank Requirements BOR Guidance Questions (link) as you prepare for your BOR.
Upon completion of your review, submit the completed BOR Request Form (link) to the Advancement Coordinator who will update your Rank Advancement officially in Scoutbook (scouting.scoutbook.org) (link). Please be prepared to show your physical Scout Handbook for completion validation (this is to support you, the Scout).

Details on all Rank Advancements is available at the bottom of the BSA Advancements and Awards (link) page. Any other questions or comments may be directed to our Advancements Coordinator at advancement@bsatroop533.org.

The BSA Guide To Advancement (2021 edition) (link) also helps you fully prepare to reach the highest achievement in Scouting - you will find details on how to achieve the Eagle Scout rank.
- The latest advancement updates can be found in the 2024 Scouting Advancement Updates (link)
- For more information and links to advancement information and awards requirements, check out BSA Advancements and Awards (link)

MERIT BADGES (MB)

Choosing a MB Topic is all about choosing an area of interest and learning a new skill. There are well over 100 different Merit Badges including those required to earn the Eagle Scout rank. Go to BSA Merit Badges A-Z (link) to learn about all the different options available!

To Begin a Merit Badge, a scout is to contact the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster to request a Merit Badge Card signed by the Troop 533 Unit leader (SM/ASM). The scout then contacts a MB Counselor to ask if they would be a counselor for them to work on that particular topic. Then, the scout begins to work on the requirements of the MB, with or without the counselor based on the counselors input, and when ready, reaches back out to the MB Counselor to finalize learning and review for completion. Some MB's are offered as programed classes, such as at Summer Camp, STEM Camps, Merit Badge University events or during Troop meetings.

Merit Badges Counselors

- To request support from a Merit Badge Counselor, a scout simply needs to ask.
- Typically, a counselor prefers to be emailed, but you can call or even send them a text. Either option, please ensure you have your parent/guardian or Scout Leaders included in your communication to meet Youth Protection guidelines. Counselors will not respond to a scout that does not include a parent/guardian or Scout Leaders in the communication.
- MB Counselor contact information is provided on our Troop 533 MEMBERS page. From this page, you will find a secure list of adult volunteers serving as counselors for Troop 533 and also from the entire GSLAC list of all MB Counselors for our BSA Council. Troop 533 Scouts are encouraged to work with leaders from our Troop and Boone Trails District first.

Virtual Merit Badge Offerings ...from around the country

- GSLAC MB Skill Centers: https://stlbsa.org/achievement/advancement/merit-badge-skill-centers/ or check out the GSLAC calendar for the latest updates at https://scoutingevent.com/312
- Great Rivers Council (our neighboring council in Columbia, MO) MB University Events: https://grcbsa.org/merit-badge-skill-centers-colleges or check the Great Rivers Council calendar for the latest updates at https://grcbsa.org/calendar/
- Epic Merit Badges: https://epicmeritbadges.com/collections/all-courses
- Scoutmaster Bucky: https://scoutmasterbucky.com/
- Please email our Troop Secretary at secretary@bsatroop533.org with any updates or other findings to share with everyone

A list of all Merit Badges with Requirement Worksheets is available at US Scouts.org (link). Any other questions or comments may be directed to our Advancements Coordinator at advancement@bsatroop533.org.

Rank and Merit Advancement Process - Summarized

Scouts advance at their own pace as their initiative and skills allow
Scoutmasters review with the Scout their needed/desired achievements
Scouts review rank advancement and achievement award requirements with their Patrol Leaders and/or senior scouts - Senior Scout Youth sign off on rank advancement effort
When ready for rank advancement review, the Scout requests a Scoutmaster Conference and, following, a Board of Review by adult leaders to receive formal approval of achieved rank advancement
As final steps, the scout meets with the Scoutmaster to share accomplishments and continued goals. The scout must also notify the Advancement Chair of all achievements - Rank, Special Awards, MBs, etc.

Troop 533 Rank Advancement Steps

Upon completion of all Rank requirements, the Scout requests a Scoutmaster Conference to review completed rank requirements in the scout's Scout Book
The Scoutmaster notifies BOR Advancement Adult members that the Scout is ready for a review, and then the Scout is to assist in identifying and finding three Adult Leaders to conduct a Board of Review. The scout may find one adult and then that adult may find 2 others.
Scout meets with 3 Adult members for Board of Achievement Review and Rank advancement Approval
Scout then notifies and meets with the Scoutmaster to share their experience and discuss future progress. The also notify the Advancement chair of completion, with a BOR Adult member confirming communication was made
Advancement Chair updates online Scoutbook of scout's rank advancement, and plans to purchase/provide the rank achievement at a future scout meeting
Scout continues to progress in both rank and merit advancement

Beyond Rank & Merit Advancement - Achievement Awards are available to Scouts & Adults

Religious Emblem Recognition: This unique Youth and Adult recognition may be earned as a scouters respective Religious Affiliation Award. All Scouts are to do there "...duty to God...". The youth and adult religious awards, including the Eagle Scout and Arrow of Light Award, are the only awards of merit recognized on an Adult's uniform. Troop 533 encourages all scouts to work with their personal or selected religious organization to earn and embrace this achievement.
ALL Scouting Awards are available at the BSA Official Awards and Recognition Website. We encourage all scouts to seek after special area achievements that fall within their interests, and to also to work towards these as Patrols or as groups of Scouts.

OTHER AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

In addition to badges of rank and merit badges, Scouts are eligible to earn a number of other awards that reflect their achievement. The requirements for these are described in the Boy Scout Requirements Book and application forms (some of which are available for download).

50 Miler Award

The 50-Miler Award is presented to Scouts who have taken part in a troop even involving a wilderness trip covering at least 50 consecutive miles over at least 5 consecutive days. Requirements also include doing service projects to improve the environment.

BSA Lifeguard

Earning this special certification gives a Scout practice in lifeguarding, boat rescues, and advanced rescue skills. BSA Lifeguard may be completed at Summer Camp.

Den Chief Service Award

Den Chiefs who complete certain service and training requirements can receive this special recognition. Requirements are described in the Den Chief Handbook.

Firem'n Chit

The owner of a Firem'n Chit has demonstrated knowledge of safety rules in building, maintaining, and putting out camp and cooking fires. Requirements are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook.

Historic Trails Award

Earn the Historic Trails Award by researching a historic trail or site, hiking and camping for two days along the trail or site, and working with adults to mark and restore the trail or site.

Interpreter

To earn the interpreter strip, a Scout must be able to carry on a conversation in a foreign language or in sign language, write a letter in the foreign language, and translate orally and in writing from one language to another.

Leave No Trace Awareness Award

A Scout may earn this award by reciting and explaining the principles of Leave No Trace, earning the Camping and Environmental Science merit badges, demonstrating and practicing the principles of Leave No Trace on separate campouts/backpacking trips, participating in a Leave No Trace–related service project, giving a 10-minute presentation, and drawing a poster or building a model to demonstrate different camping techniques.

Mile Swim

The Mile Swim emblem is presented to those Scouts who successfully demonstrate their ability to swim one mile without stopping. The Mile Swim is often completed at summer camp.

Paul Bunyan Woodsman

To earn this award a Scout must earn his Totin' Chip, help another Scout do the same, and demonstrate skill with various forestry tools while demonstrating proper woods tools safety. Requirements are located in the Boy Scout Requirements Book.

Totin' Chip

The Totin' Chip shows that a Scout has been taught and has demonstrated proper safety when handling tools for chopping and cutting wood.

World Conservation Award

Scouts who complete the Environmental Science merit badge, Citizenship in the World merit badge, and either Soil and Water Conservation or Fish and Wildlife Management merit badges qualify for this award.

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