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Troop Leadership
Links Section
Committee Chairman:
Andre Lovas
Scout Master:
Jim Simpson
Assistant Scout Master:
Steve McDaniel
SCOUT HAND BOOK COVERED BRIDGE DISTRICT ATLANTA AREA COUNCIL SMYRNA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Advancements
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Boy Scout Advancement Basics
As the parent of a Boy Scout, you may find scout advancement confusing and overwhelming. Hopefully this guide will help. There are several ways for boys to earn recognition in the Boy Scouts, such as Rank Advancement, Merit Badges and Special Awards.
Rank Advancement:
Rank Advancement in the Scouting program could best be described as similar to rank advancement in the military. Scout ranks are as follows: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class,First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.
Handbook
The early ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot & Second Class are primarily concerned with the learning of Scout Skills (knot tying, tent pitching, hiking, camping, cooking, etc.). While the later ranks of First Class, Star, Life & Eagle promote service to others. The Boy Scout Handbook details each of these ranks & their requirements. Every Scout will need to purchase a Boy Scout Handbook! The handbook is basically divided into two sections. The majority of the book should be considered the scouts personal workbook. It is important that he record all of his activities and merit badges in the appropriate areas as he goes along. The last chapter of the book is his permanent record.
Scoutmaster Conference
On each rank summary page, there are boxes that need to be signed off on by the Assistant Scoutmaster for the patrol of the Scout. When all requirements for a specific rank have been fulfilled, the scout should approach our Scoutmaster and request a “Scout Masters Conference” (SM Conference). The SM Conference is designed to test the scout’s knowledge. After the conference has been completed, and if the Scoutmaster believes the scout is ready to advance, he will sign off in the scout’s book. The scout will then need to schedule a “Board of Review”.
Board of Review
Required for all ranks except Scout. The “Board of Review” is a formal interview of the scout, conducted by at least three members of the Troop Committee. The Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair will enter the advancement in the Troop records.
How do most boys earn rank?
Most boys can complete about 90% of their Scout, Tenderfoot, & Second Class requirements just by attending the Fall Camporee & Summer Camp. First year summer campers do not need to worry about what they will take at camp. They will be enrolled in the “Mountain Man” or similar new scout program.
Merit Badges
In Boy Scouts there are over 100 merit badges. They are divided into two categories, those required for Eagle Scout rank, and those that are not. The Eagle required merit badges are:
First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling, Camping, and Family Life
The remainder of merit badges run the gamut of interest, everything from Canoeing and Chemistry to Journalism and Shotgun Shooting. There are four basic ways to earn badges: Troop Meetings, Merit Badge Day Clinics such as NESA Day (National Eagle Scout Association), DAD’s (District Advancement Day), Summer Camp, and Individually.
When merit badges are completed at troop meetings or during clinics or camps, the scout does not need to worry about paperwork. It will be handled by the troop. However, when a scout chooses to work on a merit badge there is a very specific format that MUST be followed:
1. The Scout must first find a partner, as two or more boys must initiate merit badges.
2. The Scout must choose a merit badge counselor from the counselor list.
3. The Scout must let the MB counselor know that he is interested in earning the badge.
4. The Scout can work independently on his requirements & then report to his counselor to have the requirements signed off.
5. When the badge is completed, the counselor will sign the scout’s card.
6. Merit badges are presented quarterly at the Court of Honor.
BSA Merit Badge Requirement Book
FYI….It is helpful, but not mandatory, to purchase a copy of the BSA Merit Badges Requirement Book.
Special Awards
In addition to Rank & Merit Badges, there are other awards you should know about. The database will pick up some of these automatically. Others you will have to monitor yourself and bring to our attention. They include: 50-Miller Award, Firemen Chit, Historic Trails Award, William Hornaday Awards, Lifesaving Awards, Interpreter Strips, Paul Bunyan Woodsman, Boardsailing, BSA Leave No Trace, BSA Lifeguard, Snorkeling, BSA Mile Swim, BSA Totin’ Chip, World Conservation Award, Den Chief Service Award, and Religious Emblems.
Helpful websites:
More about www.meritbadge.info - Mission: To assist Boy Scouts to locate merit badge opportunities outside their own troop. By admitting JUST one or two Boy Scouts from another Unit into your merit badge clinic, you enhance the Scouting experience for all! The Merit Badge Calendar is updated regularly. Make it your troop planning tool. If you would like to receive updates, please drop me an e-mail. You may also share and announce your Merit Badge Program on the web site. Simply e-mail your information and Registration Flyer to rcano@bellsouth.net. Rodrigo Cano, MBA Merit Badge Clinic Coordinator B.S.A. Foothills District, Atlanta Area Council.