Scout Advancement Process
There are four steps in advancement:
- Preparation
- Examination
- Review
- Recognition
Preparation
A boy, knowing what is required
of him, prepares to earn a requirement through his participation
in regular Scouting activities of the unit. His preparation
can be done on his own as well or with the help of his fellow
Scouts from his unit or Patrol/Crew.
Examination
Once a Scout believes he is
ready, he presents himself to be examined for a requirement.
The requirement should be taken at face-value, that is, if
it stated that he should "Explain" he should do no more,
or no less, than explain what needs to be explained, if it
stated "Demonstrate" he should do no more, or no less, than
demonstrate what needs to be demonstrated. The examination
is not a formal examination such as those done in school.
A Scout can be examined by members of his Patrol/Crew or
Troop/Outfit who have already earned the badge he is being
examined for. In the case of a Merit Badge, he should only
be examined by the Merit Badge Counselor or those the Merit
Badge Counselor accepts as examiners.
Once the Merit Badge Counselor signs off the application,
the boy can now appear before a board of review for the Merit
Badge.
In the case of advancement ranks, the boy must also undergo
a conference with the Troop Leader/Outfit Advisor. This is
an informal conference where the unit leader does a check-up
on the Scout on he is doing and get a feedback from the Scout
if he is enjoying himself in the program. When the unit leader
is satisfied with the Scout's progress, he signs off for
the boy to appear before a board of review.
Review
The Board of Review is a panel
of adults who are considered friend of Scouting. They can
be members of your Institutional Scouting Committee, a member
of the parish the Scout goes to, or other adults who cares
about the boys progress. Their duty to to make sure that
the boy is getting the most out of his Scouting advancement.
It is not their place to test the Scout or find faults in
him. They will however, make the ultimate decision on whether
the Scout is conferred the badge.
Once the Board of Review confers the badge
on the Scout, the unit must report this to the local council
at the soonest possible time for recording and issuance of
certificates.
Recognition
A Court of Honor ceremony is to be arranged
to present the Scout with his new Merit Badge or Rank. Parents
and friends of the Scout should be invited to attend and
make this ceremony a special event.
Eagle Scout Awards, the highest advancement
award in Scouting, should be presented on its own special
Court of Honor.
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