SADDLEBACK DISTRICT GUIDELINES for SCOUT ADVANCEMENT
ORANGE COUNTY COUNCIL, BSA
The National Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures Guide holds the District Advancement Committee responsible to “understand and implement the advancement programs and procedures of the Boy Scouts of America… advancement must be promoted, as detailed in this book, to achieve a successful program in the lives of youth members.” (Guide Purpose) This Guide is available at the Scout Shop at Council Offices, and should be understood by every unit leader in our District.
Most infractions of BSA policies begin innocently, by quality Scout leaders committed to high standards in the Scouting experience. The purpose of these guidelines is merely to help each unit and committee in this District be sure they are in conformance with National Policy regarding advancement. “No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from advancement requirements.” (p. 3) This attempt to draw attention to certain passages from the Guide should only challenge each Scout Leader to read the entire manual.
Advancement Principles
“Personal growth is the prime consideration in the advancement program.
“Learning by doing.
“Each youth progresses at his or her own rate…Youth must be encouraged to advance steadily and set their own goals with guidance from their parents, guardians, or leaders.
“A badge is recognition of what a young person is able to do, not merely a reward for what he has done.
Advancement encourages Scouting ideals.” (p. 3)
Advancement Goals
“The district advancement committee should encourage all packs, troops, teams, and crews to set practical advancement goals at charter renewal time.” (p. 9)
“Emphasize the objectives of new Scouts earning the First Class rank during their first year and other Scouts earning at least one rank advancement each year.” (p. 10)
“Education is the chief function of the Scouting movement and it shall be the basis of the advancement program. A fundamental principle of advancement shall be that the boy’s progress is a natural outcome of his activities in his unit. The rank requirements in these phases of the Scouting program, as set forth in the official publications, shall furnish the basis of the activities of the unit.” (p. 16)
“It shall be the responsibility of the troop committee, under the leadership and guidance of the local council, to make sure that the program of the troop is conducted in such a way that Scouts have an opportunity to advance on the basis of the four steps outlined in clause 5 (learning, testing, reviewing, and recognition). (p. 17)
Scoutmaster’s Role
“The Scoutmaster must be in charge of advancement in the troop. It is necessary that the Scoutmaster understand the purpose of the advancement program and the importance it has in the development of the Scouts in the troop. The troop’s program must provide advancement opportunities. By participating in the troop program, the Scout will meet requirements for rank advancement.” (p. 25)
The Scoutmaster Conference “helps the Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new goals with his Scoutmaster… Goal setting by the Scout makes it possible for the Scoutmaster to help the Scout with his weaknesses and encourage him to use his strengths.” (p. 25-26)
Boards of Review
“A periodic review of the progress of a Scout is vital in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Scouting program in the unit… Not only is it important to review those Scouts who have learned and been tested for a rank, but also to review those Scouts who have shown no progress in their advancement over the past few months.” (p. 28)
Objectives (p. 28)
“To make sure the Scout has done what he was supposed to do for the rank.
“To see how good an experience the Scout is having in the unit.
To encourage the Scout to progress further.”
“The review is not an examination; the board does not retest the candidate. Rather, the board should attempt to determine the Scout’s attitude and his acceptance of Scouting’s ideals.” (p. 28)
The Need for National Consistency “Educators and counselors agree that the best way to build confidence is through measurement. Self-confidence is developed by measuring up to a challenge or a standard. Peer confidence develops when the same measuring system is used for everyone— when all must meet the same challenge to receive equal recognition. Confidence in leaders comes about when there is consistency in measuring—when leaders use a single standard of fairness. No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from any advancement requirement.” (p. 23)
Merit Badge Counselors
“Help the troop to identify parents, committee members, and other qualified individuals to serve as merit badge counselors… The district merit badge counselors’ list will supplement the troop’s list. (p. 10)
“The counselor introduces the Boy Scout to subjects that may lead to a career choice or to a lifetime hobby.” (p. 12)
“An approved merit badge counselor may counsel any youth member, including his or her own son.”(p13)
“All merit badge counselors, even those who serve only one unit, must be approved by the council and district advancement committee.” (p. 14)
Merit Badge Instruction
“To the fullest extent possible, the merit badge counseling relationship is a counselor-Scout arrangement in which the boy is not only judged on his performance of the requirements, but receives maximum benefit from the knowledge, skill, character, and personal interest of his counselor.” (p. 26)
“A Scout must have a buddy (another Scout, a parent or guardian, a relative or friend) with him at each meeting with a merit badge counselor.” (p. 26)
“Group instruction and orientation are encouraged where special facilities and expert personnel make this most practical, or when Scouts are dependent only a few counselors for assistance. However, this group experience should be followed by attention to each individual candidate’s projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements.” (p. 26)
“Scouts must be tested individually, and they must meet all the requirements. No additional requirements may be added. A merit badge cannot be taken away once it has been earned, provided the counselor is a registered counselor for the merit badge.” (p. 26)
“There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18.” (p. 34)
Eagle Process
“The Eagle Scout service project provides the opportunity for the Eagle Scout candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting… As a demonstration of leadership, the Scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion.” (p. 27)
“Work involving council property or other BSA activities is not acceptable… also may not be performed for a business, or be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser. Routine labor, a job or service normally rendered, should not be considered.” (p. 27)
“Using the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, the candidate must select his Eagle service project and have the project concept approved by his unit leader, his unit committee, and the benefactor of the project, and reviewed and approved by the council or district advancement committee.” (p. 31)
“There is no minimum number of hours that must be spent on carrying out the project. The amount of time must be sufficient for the Scout to clearly demonstrate leadership skills.” (p. 27)
“The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No. 18-927D, must be used to meet this requirement… Upon completion of the project, the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, properly filled out, is submitted with the Scout’s Eagle application.” (p. 27)
“The Unit Committee reviews and approves the record of the Eagle candidate before the application (with the Eagle Project Workbook) is submitted to the local council… where its contents will be verified and the references contacted.” (p. 31)
“After…verified and appropriately signed, the application, Workbook, and references will be returned to the chairman of the Eagle Board of Review so that a board of review may be scheduled.” (p. 31)
“No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from advancement requirements.” (p. 3)
In summary, Scout advancement is strictly a measure of the boy’s ability to complete the requirements, as listed in the current Scout Handbook. A Council, District, Unit, Committee, or Individual may not add or subtract any other requirements or standards to the attainment of merit badges or rank, including time, age, maturity, stature, or fluency. No Eagle candidate shall be required or counseled to complete anything more than the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook as it is, with its 12 Steps, an Eagle application, and contacts for references.
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