Advancement Questions Answered
	Advancement in Boy Scouts is different from advancement in Cub Scouts. Older boys are expected to work harder for their awards, and they generally don't advance as quickly.

(1) NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY REQUIREMENT TO ANY BADGE OR RANK
	Requirements can't be added, deleted, or substituted. This simple and absolute rule is repeated many times in Scouting literature.

(2) WHO CAN SIGN FOR A COMPLETED REQUIREMENT?

For rank advancement, any adult leader can sign (initial) a Scout's handbook. Traditionally, parents refrain from signing their son's book. This isn't an absolute rule, however. For example, a dad might sign his son's book on swimming after the father was the merit badge counselor for Swimming merit badge. There are good reasons for this—objectivity, learning to work with other adults, learning different perspectives, getting to know leaders, initiative, self-motivation, overcoming shyness, and so on. Merit badge requirements must be signed by a registered merit badge (MB) counselor. Individual requirements must be signed by a MB counselor. "Partials" must be completed by a registered MB counselor. This rule is absolute. For example, even if an adult is a CPA in a Big 8 firm, that person can't sign off on any American Business MB requirements unless he or she is a registered MB counselor. A list of Troop 68's MB counselors is posted on the Scout Room bulletin board.

(3) WHEN TO SIGN?

Sign or initial the advancement after YOU SAW the Scout complete the requirements. The Scout may say that he just identified 10 trees with Mr Smith and Mr Smith has left. Will you sign his book? Your response should be that Mr Smith will sign the book. If the Scout doesn't want to wait, he can identify 10 trees with you and then you can sign his book. This might cause a Scout to repeat requirements before his book is signed. Because requirements are actually skills that are repeatedly used in Scouting, camping, and life, it's good that Scouts repeat the skills a few times under observation. Parents: DON'T TAKE YOUR SON'S' BOOK TO A LEADER AND ASK HIM OR HER TO SIGN A REQUIREMENT! It's your son's book, it's your son's advancement, and your son is the Scout. He should be working on the advancement. In general, a Scout doing a reuqirement for the parent isn't sufficient. (Family Life MB is a notable exception.) If the boy has to swim 100 yards, let hte boy ask an adult leader to meet him at the pool to see him swim the 100 yards before expecting to have the requirement signed off. This means that requirements for Scouts can't be passed when a boy is a Webelos Scout. Cooking for a patrol, for example, must be done as a Boy Scout. Even though your son might have cooked for his Webelos den, that doesn't satisfy the requirement.

(4) WHAT IS THE SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE ALL ABOUT?

This is the Scoutmaster's time to talk with your son. (A designated Assistant Scoutmaster may also perform this duty.) It isn't appropriate nor desirable that a parent should suggest what the Scoutmaster should talk about during this conference. The Scout literature says that it's appropriate for the Scoutmaster to "test" the boys. He could ask a boy how to find North at night. He coudl say that he didn't see your son go through an orienteering course, even though the requirement was signed off. So he can ask the boy to do the orienteering course again. It's also appropriate for the Scoutmaster to ask the boy about his experiences in Scouting, and it's a time to form a tighter relationship between the Scout and Scoutmaster. In short, the Scoutmaster Conference can be anything from a 5-minute conversation to working together over the next three months so that the Scout is performing at a level that the Scoutmaster expects.

(5) WHAT IS A BOARD OF REVIEW?

This is a group of at least 3 adult leaders who aren't related to the boy. The Board of Review (BOR) doesn't test the Scout about his Scouting skills. The BOR looks at the Scout, his advancement, his maturity, and application of Scouting principles to his life. They can, and should, ask him to recite the Scout Oath, Scout Law, motto, slogan, and the Outdoor Code. They can also ask the Scout to tie a square knot. (However, the important question is "How have you used the square knot during a campout?") Scout skills relate to Scouting, camping, and life. It's important that the Scout see and experience this connection. The BOR determines if he has made this connection. So they might ask how many meetings he has attended since passing Tenderfoot rank, how many patrol activities he organized while Patrol Leader, and so on. The BOR doesn't "fail" Scouts. The BOR points out areas that need attention or work and then suggests a date to meet again.

(6) HOW FAST SHOULD A SCOUT ADVANCE?

This is a hard question to answer. In general, they should work at a pace that they set for themselves. Scouting is physical, mental, and emotional. A Scout may lag in advancement because he's not comfortable camping when his dad doesn't go. He probably needs some time to mature a bit. A Scout must be able to solve simple algebra problems to earn the Electricity MB. A typical sixth grade math student is probably bewildered by the combination of Ohm's Law and the power law. This Scout needs to advance in school before attempting the MB. A Scout might know his knots and lashing, but he might not have the strength to pull the ropes to lash together a monkey bridge. This Scout needs another year of growth to see just how far his Scouting skills and his body and mind can take him. Most 10-11 year old boys take a full year to get to First Class rank. An older boy just joining the troop could probably make First Class in six months. (The maturation from age 10 to 14 is tremendous.) In any event, Scouting doesn't offer "quick rewards." This process is one of growing, learning, and maturing. For a new Scout joining the troop, the Eagle Award is probably 5 or more years away. Scouting is designed to grow with the Scout. This is very different from the activity pins that the boy quickly earned as a Webelos scout. Parents and boys have to adjust their thinking about advancement when moving from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. The requirements, the Scoutmaster Conference, and the BOR all help to set the advancement pace.

(7) WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY SON'S ADVANCEMENT IS TOO SLOW?

Scouting is supposed to be part "fun" and part "advancement." Don't allow the advancement part to rob them of the fun part. On the other hand, if someone is a First Class Scout for two years and lacks only one Eagle-required badge, it's OK to point out that most of his friends are Star or Life Scouts. Ask him if there are problems that prevent him from advancing. Nudge him in the right direction as he emotionally matures and realizes the importance of working on his advancement. It would be great if every Scout made Eagle rank. However, some boys just don't get it all together until it's too late. (The 18th birthday deadline is a very hard limit.) In addition, there can be interests that conflict with Scouting and boys sometimes choose to do other activities. These other activities are also important. We have to recognize and we have to accept that not all boys are the same. They ahve different interests and priorities.

(8) IS SOMETHING WRONG IF MY SON ISN'T ADVANCING, EVEN THOUGH HE'S TRYING?

It's important that your son enjoys Scouting. If he's having trouble advancing, you need to determine if he's having fun in Scouting. If he's frustrated or bored, be careful because he's ready to quit. If he's having fun, encourage him to keep trying. It's not uncommon for a Scout to have several partial MBs that he never completes. They always feel they have plenty of time to finish, but sometimes it seems that they won't do it unless a parent or MB counselor is standing right there! It's important for a parent to remember that the Scout has to mature emotionally, physically, and mentally if he is to advance. You have to objectively consider where your son stands. Does he just need some time to grow up?

(9) A SON IS FIRST-CLASS, 16 YEARS OLD, AND ENJOYS SCOUTS, BUT THE PARENTS ARE AFRAID HE'LL NEVER MAKE EAGLE

There are many carrot-and-stick approaches to this problem. THE EAGLE RANK COMES FROM PERSONAL MOTIVATION AND DRIVE. You can influence, nudge, and suggest. Ultimately, though, carrots and sticks must be internal, not external. What can you do? You can ask if there are any problems preventing your son from advancing. Youc an then help him make a list of goals or steps toward advancement. Think about what is required for each step and then budget time to complete each step. There are many books available on personal motivation. They suggest detailed to-do lists. As things get done, scratch them off the list. Having many items to scratch off provides positive, internal drive to wrok through the list. Of course, there are other methods and ideas, too. You have to find what works with your son.

(10) WHAT CAN I DO IF MY SON'S ADVANCEMENT ISN'T BEING TREATED FAIRLY?

Talk to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair. Don't confront the BOR and try to tell them what they're doing wrong. Don't confront a MB counselor and tell that person that he or she isn't doing a good job. We are all volunteers. We are al working toward the same goal. We sometimes make mistakes, and so does your son. Adult leaders try to get all sides to a story and speak objectively on an advancement or MB issue. Most problems are misunderstandings. If there is a wrong, leaders will attempt to correct it. But please bring it to our attention!

(11) RESPECT THE ADULT VOLUNTEERS

Please respect the time and efforts that many people contribute to our Troop. THIS MEANS THAT YOU SHOULD TRY TO GET YOUR SON TO ACTIVITIES ON TIME AND SHOW UP FOR ACTIVITIES THAT HE'S SIGNED UP FOR. You should pick him up at the end of the activity. Don't make leaders wait for 30-45 minutes for you to arrive. If the adult places a maximum size on the class or states a minimum age for participation, don't plead with the leader to make an exception for your son. The adult leader probably has a good reason for those restrictions. Offer to help if you have time. If there is something that the adult is doing or not doing that bothers you, speak with the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair. We can all learn and improve. Let's do it respectfully.

Thanks to Troop 137 for this open letter.