advancement

[JVCXXVI]

I'm new to the scouting community. Is there someone in our troop that should be telling the scouts that they need to complete these requirements in order to get to the next rank or is it up to the scout to ask the scoutmaster?

[Mrw]

All of the information the scouts need to have is written and recorded in the Scout Handbook.

That being said, the Advancement Chair or whomever in the troop tracks advancement and orders badges, etc. should be periodically looking at where the boys are and if they are advancing. Some need to be pushed a little if they get stalled and some will tell you they know what would need to be done and really don't care about advancing. Some need extra encouragement to take the next step if they aren't really confident in themselves.

I make a point of looking over books for the boys below first class every once in a while and letting the SM or the ASM that works with a given patrol if there is someone who needs some extra attention or mentoring. For the older boys, I pull the guys aside that are not earning merit badges for their next rank and see if they need some encouragement or some help on something.

I have had a couple who really didn't want to call the MB counselor when they got stuck mid-badge and had to explain that is why the counselor is there.

[ASM-142]

I'm new to the scouting community. Is there someone in our troop that should be telling the scouts that they need to complete these requirements in order to get to the next rank or is it up to the scout to ask the scoutmaster?

The scout should be discussing this with his Patrol Leader first. If that does not help he can go to the Troop Guide and/or Instructor, the JASM, or SPL. Going to an adult should only be when the boy leadership was not able to provide the assistance required.

[mhjacobson]

One of the purposes of the Scoutmasters conference (and Board of Review) is to interview those scouts who are not making advancement. This will give both the scoutmaster and the troop committee the opportunity to make any adjustments in the troop's advancement program, if necessary, or to motivate the scout.

If you do not know what BSA has established for the recommended timline, it is now "From Scout to First Class in 12 months!"

[SM-890]

We use the big wall poster rank board. When a scout sees more advancements being marked there for other scouts, he often motivates himself.

[Chief J]

Everything should be marked in your Scouts book. If he has completed somthing and it is not signed off in the book, then your son should talk to the instructor and make sure it gets signeds off.

Additionally, there should be an Advancement Chairman on your Troop Committee who can help with your wquestions.

Chief J

[John F.]

Subject: New Boy Scout rank requirements effective January 1, 2008
The National Youth Protection Committee recommended additions to Boy Scout rank requirements that were approved and will become effective January 1, 2008. These changes will help us advance the importance of Youth Protection training beyond the initial Boy Scout joining requirements, and keep youth informed and actively engaged in understanding the key elements of personal safety and protection.

Tenderfoot Rank Revised requirement 9: Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one.

Second Class Rank New requirement 8b: Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.

First Class Rank New requirement 12: Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.

The changes will be represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book and the revised ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.

[spl08]

Subject: New Boy Scout rank requirements effective January 1, 2008
The National Youth Protection Committee recommended additions to Boy Scout rank requirements that were approved and will become effective January 1, 2008. These changes will help us advance the importance of Youth Protection training beyond the initial Boy Scout joining requirements, and keep youth informed and actively engaged in understanding the key elements of personal safety and protection.

Tenderfoot Rank Revised requirement 9: Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one.

Second Class Rank New requirement 8b: Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.

First Class Rank New requirement 12: Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.

The changes will be represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book and the revised ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.

Source? I didn't see anything about it on the National site.

[John F.]

These new requirements are listed on our council web site. Under "Changes in Advancement Requirements for 2008".

http://www.badenpowellcouncil.org/

[John F.]

If the above site doesn't work try, www.bpcouncil.org

These new requirements are listed on our council web site. Under "Changes in Advancement Requirements for 2008".

[Scout]

As a scoutmaster, I am in constant contact with the troop advancement cahir as to who is and is not advancing. Then I use that information to talk to with scouts during troop meeting. Ideally, the boy is showing initiative by asking both boy leadership and adults with something he has learn is part of his advancement. In practice, that seldom happens for scout below first class.

[pipestone1991]

We use the big wall poster rank board. When a scout sees more advancements being marked there for other scouts, he often motivates himself.

Woah.....that's a great idea!

[smtroop168]

I post the Advancement reports that you can get from Troopmaster.

[ThunderingWind]

We use the big wall poster rank board. When a scout sees more advancements being marked there for other scouts, he often motivates himself.

Some mental health professionals are now recommending that the BSA stop this practice. In the PC world...it puts too much pressure on the kids to excell and succeed and takes away from just having fun as a kid.

Same reason schools can not "announce" test score in class as the teach hands back papers.

[Mrw]

Our kids like the poster more for patting themselves on the back. The kids who don't care about advancement don't ever seem to bother looking.

[mhjacobson]

We track advancement on Troopmaster. Once a month I give the ASM who is working with the 'new scout patrol' a print out as well as the ASM who is working with the scouts who are First Class and above. In addition, we give a copy to each scout on a quarterly basis.

Often, as a result, it is the scoutmaster who is telling a scout that he is ready for a SM conference/BOR, rather than the scout.

Since we have been doing this, advancement has trippled.