Tenderfoot, Second Class,
and First Class Ranks
Alternate Requirements
These requirements were revised on January 1, 2012.
A Scout who has a permanent physical or mental disability (or a disability expected to last more than two years or beyond the 18th birthday) and is unable to complete all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank may, with his parents or guardian, submit a request to the council advancement committee to complete alternative requirements. Below are the procedures for applying for alternative requirements.
- Do As Many Standard Requirements As Possible. Before applying for alternative requirements, the member must complete as many of the standard requirements as his ability permits. He must do his very best to develop himself to the limit of his abilities and resources.
- Prepare a Request for Alternative Requirements. Once they have done their best to the limit of their abilities and resources, the unit leader or a troop committee member submits to the council advancement committee, a written request for alternative requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. It must show what has been completed, and suggest the alternatives for those requirements the Scout cannot do.
- Secure a Medical Statement and Provide Supporting Documents. The request must be accompanied by supporting letters from the unit leader, a parent or guardian, and the member (if possible), as well as a written statement from a qualified health professional related to the nature of the disability. This may be a physician, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc., or an educational administrator as appropriate. Statements must describe the disability; cover the Scout’s capabilities, limitations, and prognosis; and outline what requirements cannot be completed. Additional information such as Individualized Education Plans (IEP) provided to parents by schools, and various treatment summaries and reports, may help an advancement committee make an informed decision.
- The Advancement Committee Reviews the Request. The council advancement committee reviews the request, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouts with disabilities. The committee may want to interview the Scout, his parents, and the unit leader to fully understand the request and to make a fair determination. The committee’s decision should be recorded and delivered to the Scout and the unit leader. Tenderfoot , second class, and first Class Ranks Alternative Requirements
No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, any advancement requirements.
For more detailed
information about alternative requirements, see the
Guide to Advancement.
(In particular, for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class
ranks, see sections 10.2.2.0-10.2.2.2 on page 62.)
(NOTE: The substitution of "trip" for "hike" in the footnote to Second Class requirement 1b does NOT require the procedure listed above. That substitution may be permitted by the unit leaders based on their understanding of the Scout's physical condition. )
Eagle Scout Rank
Alternate Requirements
These requirements were revised on January 1, 2012.
To see the requirements with the changes highlighted, Click here.
- The Eagle Scout rank may be achieved by a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or qualified* Venturer who has a physical or mental disability by qualifying for alternative merit badges. This does not apply to individual requirements for merit badges. Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated.
- The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent rather than of a temporary nature (or a disability expected to last more than two years or beyond the 18th birthday).
- The request must include a written statement from a qualified health professional related to the nature of the disability. This may be a physician, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc., or an educational administrator as appropriate.
- Before applying, he must earn as many of the Eagle-required merit badges as possible. Any alternatives must present the same challenge and learning level as those they replace, and must be completed by the 18th birthday. If physical activity is involved, a physician must approve it.
- The Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges must be completed prior to qualifying for alternative Eagle Scout rank badges.
- The alternative merit badge(s) chosen must be of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the required merit badge(s).
- When alternatives chosen involve physical activity, they must be approved by a qualified health-care professional.
- The unit leader and the board of review must explain that to attain the Eagle Scout rank, a candidate is expected to do his best in developing himself to the limit of his abilities and resources.
- The application must be approved by the council advancement committee, utilizing the expertise of professionals involved with youth who have disabilities.
- The candidate’s application for Eagle must be made on the Eagle Scout Rank Application, with the Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges attached.
* In order for a Venturer to be an Eagle candidate, he must have achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout.
No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, any advancement requirements.
For more detailed
information about alternative requirements see the
Guide to Advancement.
(In particular, for the Eagle Scout rank, see sections 10.2.2.0, and 10.2.2.3-10.2.2.4 on pages 62-63.)
