Advancement

**Real learning happens when we connect the unknown to the known, the theoretical to the practical.**This “eureka moment” isn’t accidental, it is a result of applying effective instructional methods for Scouts. Scouting is a unique instructional situation. We can adapt methods from other disciplines like teaching and coaching but they should serve the goals of instruction laid out by Scouting’s founder Baden Powell: When it is applied with understanding and consideration the advancement program fosters encouragement and ambition regardless of an individual boy’s abilities....

The court of honor is a ceremony for recognizing achievements. Don’t underestimate their importance – a formal public presentation and recognition of a Scout’s achievement demonstrates Scouting’s aim, don’t make them slapdash or off the cuff or too constrained. Courts of honor must speak to Scouts, not just their leaders or parents. The tone is formal without florid, overblown theatrics . The court of honor is not just a slog through calling names and handing out badges....

No matter how hard I tried I could not get Ken to an Eagle court of honor. Ken Ryan was Scoutmaster of Troop 12 across town for thirty years and decided to retire the year I became Scoutmaster. By that time troop 12 had ten or twelve older Scouts and little other adult help, so Ken sent his remaining Scouts over to our troop. Ken maintained his registration with our troop and visited a troop meeting once or twice a year until he died a couple of years ago....

There is a cottage industry of advice, methods, plans, presentations, and seminars concerning Eagle projects that resembles that for college applications. In an attempt to improve the outcome these machinations compromise the process at the heart of an Eagle project. Developing, presenting, obtaining approval for, executing and reporting on an Eagle project is a complex problem to solve. Many are eager to offer well-intended assistance to make things easier but in doing so they undermine the initiative, determination and skill required by the process....