Understanding Advancement

Are you in danger? I know that a title like “troop program death spiral” sounds dramatic, but I got your attention, right? I’ll explain what the dreaded troop program death spiral is and help you avoid it as well as answering email questions about Eagle Scout advancement, Advancement policies instituted by a troop, and “Webelos Purgatory“. Links The New Scoutmastercg Android AppTroop Program Death Spiral Article Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Podcast: Play in new window | Download...

*During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters.*Each Sunday I’ll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you’ll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas. IN view of a very elaborate curriculum that was recently drawn up by one authority for standardizing the tests for badges, I was obliged to criticize it in this sense:...

What is the context of Scouting, and why does it matter? The game of Scouting has it’s own set of rules, it’s own playing field, or context. I discuss a couple of common questions that are answered by understanding this context. In addition we’ll discuss conflicts of interest for an Eagle board of review, whether one advancementrequirement automatically means you’ve completed similar requirements, when offering advice is interfering with your leadership, patrol selection, and Scouts asking for boards of review....

Podcast Episode (00:27:58): Download MP3 Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 222 | Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast I am joined by F. Darnell Daley Jr, Author of The Commissioner’s Corner. I am sure you’ll find Darnall’s good cheer and enthusiasm for Scouting inspirational. Here’s Darnall’s website Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Scout advancement is a natural result of applying the patrol system. Requirements without the patrol experience are a lifeless checklist. Tenderfoot2. Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout… 3. On the campout, assist in preparing and cooking one of your patrol’s meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together. 7. Know your patrol name, give the patrol yell, and describe your patrol flag....

Someone asked me how long, on average, does it take to be a First Class Scout? We know statistically Scouts who become First Class within the first year tend to stay in Scouting longer. I am pleased when Scouts advance because that’s one indicator that we are delivering on the promise, but it’s only one indicator. In my experience Scouts take anywhere from six months to five years to reach First Class....

Fourth in a series of articles about the four steps to Scout Advancement. After a Scout has completed all of the requirements for any rank he is reviewed twice; once in a Scoutmaster conference and once at a Board of review. The Scoutmaster Conference Note that a Scout must participate or take part in a conference; it is not a “test.” Requirements do not say he must “pass” a conference....

I received this question from a reader; I’m a assistant scoutmaster and was recently contacted by a dad of a scout that after one year is still at Scout rank. It seems that his dad is looking for shortcuts, as many other scouts have bypassed him and our recently added Webelos are already achieving their Scout rank. Specifically dad asks: “Can I use a requirement for one merit badge to fulfill some requirements for others?...

Here are three reasons Scouts don’t advance, and some simple ways to recognize and resolve them. REASON ONE They don’t want to “do requirements”. WHAT’S HAPPENING When Scouts don’t advance it may be we’re preoccupied with a list of stuff Scouts need to do (the requirements). If we have an active program of camping Scouts meet requirements as a result; not because they are ‘doing requirements’. Scouts don’t want to ‘do requirements’, they want to go camping....

One of the more ingenious ideas in Socuting is recognition through the advancement program. Humankind has always had some way of marking achievement through decorations of one kind or another; it seems to be a fundamental impulse. Cub Scouts have no pretense when it comes to badges. They pursue them arduously and uncompromisingly because they want to festoon their blue shirt with as many possible. They will wrap themselves with belt loops, fill their hats with pins, and if there’s no room left on their shirt they’ll add a vest full of gaudy patches and the gaudier the better....

A reader asks about the pace of Scout advancement: “Our troop seems to think we should hold off the scouts until they are older (ie end of Junior Year) to do their Eagle Projects and try to control the pace of advancement in the troop because they want the scouts to be more “mature” and stick around to lead the younger guys. I see some value in this, however, if a scout is motivated and fulfills the requirements needed, shouldn’t he be allowed to advance at his own pace?...

Scoutmaster Podcast 9 Three key Scouting resources every Scouter ought to have and read. In This Podcast Second chances [2:54] Wobegon Scouts [11:10] Three important resources [14:24] A Scout is Brave [21:35] Podcast Notes Scoutmaster Jerry’s Scoutmaster’s Minute blog and podcastSo let it be written… Advancement Policies and ProceduresUniform and Insignia GuideGuide to Safe Scouting Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Is your Troop’s advancement program aimed at ‘true north’? Here’s some statements derived from Andy’s (at Ask Andy) answer to a Troop where the Scoutmaster is seriously off course: Every Scout can advance in rank according to each Scout’s preference for velocity, and no one will attempt to either slow him down or speed him up–this is entirely each Scout’s personal decision. Any Scout can apply for any merit badge any time he wants—whether Eagle-required or not—and upon informing the Scoutmaster of his preference or preferences will immediately be given a Blue Card and the name and contact information of a local Merit Badge Counselor....

In the past I have been guilty of griping about Scouts who ‘don’t know their skills’ and troops that were ‘Eagle Factories’. This put me on a mission to fix whatever I saw as wrong, to tighten things up and be darn sure that my Scoutsearned their way. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I spent a few years discouraging Scouts by throwing every possible impediment in their path. I was the worst kind of Scoutmaster- a self appointed guardian of an unattainable standard of perfection....