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Introduction to Advancement Topics
A number of Scouters have provided various Spreadsheets,
Word Documents, PDF Files, etc. for use by other Scouters for tracking
advancements in the various Scouting sections. That list of
available documents can be accessed by clicking on the link above.
Boy Scout Advancement
requirements are found in the Boy Scout Requirements book, which is issued
annually. Copies of the information in that book, including information on
recent changes to the requirements, are posted on this system.
Cub Scout Advancement
requirements are found in the Tiger Cub Handbook, the Wolf Cub Scout Book,
the Bear Cub Scout Book, and the Webelos Scout Book. Copies of the Cub
Scout requirements taken from those books are available on this system.
On August 1, 1998, BSA split the former BSA Exploring program into two
separate organizations. Explorer Posts in the following areas
were transferred to the new Venturing Division of BSA and became Venturing
Crews. Sea Exploring Ships became Sea Scouting Ships.
- Arts and Hobbies
- Outdoor,
- Sea Scouting,
- Sports, and
- Religious Life (formerly called Youth Ministries)
All other Explorer Posts and their members were transferred to the new
Exploring Program in the Learning for Life program, which is a separate
subsidiary corporation of BSA. Explorers are NOT eligible for Boy Scouting
or Venturing Advancements.
Venturing Advancement
consists of four separate Advancement tracks:
- The Venturing Bronze, Gold, and Silver Awards are available to all
youth (male and female) in the Venturing program.
- The Ranger Award is also available to all youth (male and female) in
the Venturing program, but is primarily for members of Outdoor Crews.
- Sea Scouting
has its own
Advancement Program for youth members (male and
female) of Sea Scouting Ships.
- Boy Scout Advancements - under the following procedures and
restrictions.
- Any male Venturer who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy
Scout in a troop or as a Varsity Scout in a team may continue
advancement toward Star, Life and Eagle Scout ranks and Eagle Palms up
to his 18th birthday.
- He must meet the requirements as prescribed in the official
Boy Scout Handbook and the current Boy Scout Requirements
book.
- The Venturer may fulfill leadership requirements by serving as
president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer of his crew, or as
boatswain, boatswain's mate, yeoman, purser, or storekeeper for his
ship.
- The Scoutmaster conference will be conducted by the Advisor or
Skipper.
- As the Venturer meets requirements for the Star and Life ranks, a
board of review will be conducted by the crew or ship committee.
- The Eagle board of review should follow the procedures established
by the local council.
Advancement by Explorers ended on
December 31, 1999
Explorers who were working on rank requirements toward the Star, Life,
and Eagle Scout ranks could continue to do so until December 31,
1999.
The Boy Scout Division at the national
office must be contacted for procedures to follow for Explorers who
completed the requirements for Eagle Scout prior to December 31, 1999,
if an Eagle Board of Review for that Explorer was not conducted before
June 30, 2000.
Explorers that did not complete the requirements for a rank by December
31, 1999 may no longer earn advancements as part of the Exploring program.
If they desire to continue Boy Scout advancement, they must register as a
member of BSA in either a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, Venturing
Crew, or Sea Scouting Ship, and complete the requirements the same as
other Scouts and Venturers. All Boy Scout advancements must be
completed before the boy's 18th birthday. |
