The Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, and Sea Scouts. It replaces the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures and Advancement and Recognition Policies and Procedures, which are no longer valid.
Ask the Expert: Can merit badge progress begin before a Scout gets his blue card?
If a Scout camps several nights with his troop before getting a signed blue card from his Scoutmaster, do those nights count toward his earning Camping merit badge?
The most- and least-popular merit badges of 2012
From Bryan on Scouting. See full article here.
Which merit badges had Scouts rushing to counselors and Moms and Dads rushing to the sewing machine last year?
As you’d expect, the 12 most-earned merit badges from 2012 were all Eagle-required. Those merit badges provide extra motivation for Scouts to finish them on their journey through the ranks. But the badges that ranked 13 to 130 have some interesting takeaways:
Four lessons learned
Newcomers Chess, Kayaking, Geocaching, and Robotics were all in the top 50, despite the fact that each is only a few years old.
Most, but not all, of the badges in the top 30 are offered at council summer camps, meaning it’s easier for a Scout to earn one without finding a qualified counselor.
The five rarest merit badges are Journalism, Stamp Collecting, American Labor, American Business, and Bugling. Search and Rescue was in 2012′s bottom five, but it shouldn’t really count because it didn’t debut until August of last year.
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) merit badges are hot, but so are the lower-tech ones like Archery, Climbing, and Wood Carving.
Biggest movers
I also compared Program Group numbers from 2011 with Program Group numbers from 2012 to see which merit badges saw the biggest jump. I eliminated any merit badges introduced in 2011 or 2012, because those numbers are unfairly skewed.
Somewhat surprisingly, Textile and Theater merit badges each saw more than a 25 percent increase from 2011 to 2012.
And these nine also had double-digit gains: Animal Science, Drafting, Pulp and Paper, Astronomy, Insect Study, Cinematography, Inventing, Electronics, and Radio.
On the other end of the spectrum, the five with the biggest drop from 2011 to 2012 were: Coin Collecting, Scouting Heritage, Snow Sports, American Labor, and Skating. Each of those fell between by 14 percent to 31 percent.
Philmont Scout Ranch Expeditions Lottery Results
Philmont Scout Ranch Expeditions would like to congratulate
Troop 46 of the Westark Area Council
(Sponsor: Mount Sequoyah Conference Retreat Center – Fayetteville, AR 72701)
Your unit has been picked as a winner for a reservation in 2014 at Philmont Scout Ranch.
Your arrival date is July 26, 2014. (Departure: Aug 2, 2014)
We have your unit con firmed for 5 youth and 2 adults (1 crew).
Fifteen Thoughts for Scout Leaders
repost from CLARKE GREEN on NOVEMBER 30, 2012
Here’s fifteen thoughts for Scout leaders that I hope you find helpful.
1. Trust the Program.
100 years of proven results – Follow it! Seek to understand and embrace changes.
2. Conduct Activities that are Age Appropriate.
Respond to the specific needs of each developmental stage: don’t push Scouts into activities for older, or hold them back in activities for younger Scouts
3. Be prepared to work with different family standards and expectations.
The way you were raised and the way you raise your children aren’t the only ‘right’ way. Never complain to a Scout about his parents or disparage his family .
4. Avoid Disagreements. – Run to the Resource.
Disagreements and difficulties are inevitable, seek resolution with as little disruption as possible. Policy and procedures are written down for a reason – know these resources and use them.
5. Accept Help.
You will need help, it will come from many directions (even a few you don’t like) accept it gracefully and always say ‘thank you’.
6. Be Professional.
“I am just a volunteer” is never an excuse for being unprepared, or doing a poor job.
7. Maintain Perspective and Proportion.
You are important, your work in Scouting is important, so are your Scouts – but so are a lot of other things in life.
8. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
9. Scouts are measured individually based on their effort.
B.P. said: the standard of performance is purposefully undefined to give every boy the opportunity to grow according to his own abilities and interests.
10. Keep Your Commitments.
Don’t over-extend your volunteer roles, be realistic about what you can and can not do.
11. Focus on success of your Scouts.
Individual success is prerequisite to the success of the group.
12. Strive to understand your role and maintain your Scouting education.
Be inquisitive, get training – don’t wait around for someone to bring you knowledge – seek it out.
13. You are not likely to encounter a new problem or difficulty – ask more experienced leaders for help.
14. If Something Doesn’t Work…
It’s either not a part of the Scouting program or you may have misunderstood or misapplied something. It is not the Scouts fault or some shortcoming in the program.
15. It’s not just about your boy but all of the Scouts.
For an hour a week you are a Scout Leader first and a parent second.
The Scout Law and Cybersafety/Cyberbullying
Cybersaftey and Cyberbullying are a issue, and one that our Troop has tried to stress to scouts at various times. The BSA has just released a new pledge, based on the 12 points of the Scout Law, that stresses to young and old scouters the importance of living out the principles taught in scouting at all times, even online. Please print out this PDF document and discuss it with your scout. Once they understand and agree to apply it, sign it and bring it to a troop meeting. If you cannot print it, go over it online and we will have copies available to sign at the troop meetings.
Scout Discover Prepaid Card
Not sure what to get that special Scout in your life for Christmas? All those camp gadgets and outdoor specialty products can be confusing and difficult to decide on. Why not give them a way to get their favorite items when and where they want?
The BSA has unveiled a new pre-paid card program through the Discover network. The Scout prepaid card is designed as a Scout’s first financial tool to teach financial education and responsibility. It will include many of the same features of a typical bank account, as well as these additional benefits:
- Online and mobile access to the card account
- Special financial education information for parents and Scouts to discuss
- Direct ties to earning-related merit badges
- Safety concierge service for Scouts in emergency situations
- Access to discounts at tens of thousands of merchants nationwide
To learn more about the Scout prepaid card program, please visit www.ScoutsAreThrifty.com.
Lowes $100 gift card for Eagle Project
Scouts working on their Eagle projects are eligible to receive a $100 gift card to be used at Lowe’s for supplies for their Eagle project. Complete the Lowe’s National Eagle Scout Project Impact Grant Application and submit it to the Council office for approval. If you have any questions, please contact Cathy McDaniel at the council office 479-782-7244 or [Click for member's page]. You may fax your completed application to Cathy at 479-782-5825. Limited number of gift cards are available. Submit your application as soon as possible to be considered!
Click here for the application: Lowes_National_Eagle_Scout_Project_Impact_Grant_Application.pdf
Uniform Policy
Scouting is a uniformed program. Each Scout is required to have and wear, within a reasonable amount of time after joining the Troop, the following uniform items:
1. Tan Scout shirt with appropriate insignia and patches
2. Scout belt and buckle
3. Neckerchief and Slide (style determined by each patrol)
4. Green Scout pants/shorts (optional)
Uniform and insignia shall be worn in accordance with the “Insignia Guide” and the information in the Boy Scout Handbook.
Scouts in Troop 46 will always wear their class A uniforms when traveling as a troop.
The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are required to have and wear, within a reasonable amount of time after joining the Troop, the uniform as outlined above. ALL adult leaders are encouraged to do likewise.
All uniforms should be clean with shirts tucked in.
FAQ about Cooking and Sustainability merit badges
Bryan on Scouting has a nice article answering a lot of questions about the new eagle required merit badges. Click here to read it.
