BSAdvancement

Recognition is important to young boys. The Boy Scout Rank Advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.

Advancement sets a pattern of setting positive goals and reaching them throughout life. Even though it’s not one of the primary aims of Scouting, advancement is a natural byproduct when your Scouting experience is acquainting you with the BSA ideals, the patrol method, the outdoors, association with adults, personal growth, leadership development, and the Scout uniform. It’s easy to advance by following these four basic steps:

Boy Scout

Rank is for all boys who join a Troop and complete 10 general and basic Boy Scout awareness requirements, see requirements at Boy Scout Joining Requirements

Tenderfoot*

Tenderfoot is earned by completing 15 achievements involving simple physical, planning, camping, knot tying and leadership skills, see requirements at Tenderfoot Rank Requirements

Second Class*

Second Class is earned by completing 12 achievements involving more developed planning, camping, First Aid, water safety, service hours in community, knot tying and leadership skills, see requirements at Second Class Rank Requirements

For the Second Class rank, a Scout must participate in a service project or projects approved by his Scoutmaster. The time of service must be a minimum of one hour. This project prepares a Scout for the more involved service projects he must perform for the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks.

First Class*

First Class is earned by completing 14 achievements involving detailed planning, camping, outdoor code, First Aid, water safety, service hours in community, internet safety, knot tying and leadership skills, see requirements at First Class Rank Requirements

Star

Star is earned by completing 7 achievements involving skill development through 6 Eagle Scout Required Merit Badges earned, living the Scout Oath & Law, service hours in community, and leadership skills serving at least 4 months in one of the Troop Officer positions as First Class Scout, see requirements at Star Rank Requirements

For Star and Life ranks, a Scout must perform 6 hours of service to others. This may be done as an individual project or as a member of a patrol or troop project. Star and Life service projects may be approved for Scouts assisting on Eagle service projects. The Scoutmaster approves the project before it is started.

Life

Life is earned by completing 7 achievements involving skill development through 5 additional Eagle Scout Required Merit Badges earned, living the Scout Oath & Law, service hours in community, and leadership skills serving at least 6 months in one of the Troop Officer positions as a Star Scout, see requirements at Life Rank Requirements

Eagle

Eagle is earned by completing 7 achievements involving skill development through 10 additional Eagle Scout Required Merit Badges earned for a total of 21, living the Scout Oath & Law, completing an council approved Eagle Service Project and leadership skills serving at least 6 months in one of the Troop Officer positions as a Life Scout, see requirements at Eagle Rank Requirements

While a Life Scout, a Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project to any religious institution, school, or community.

As a demonstration of leadership, the Scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion.

The Eagle service project is an individual matter; therefore, two Eagle candidates may not receive credit for the same project.

Eagle Scout leadership service projects involving council property or other BSA activities are not acceptable for an Eagle service project. The service project also may not be performed for a business, be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser.

Eagle Palms

Eagle Palms are awarded for continued leadership and skills development (merit badges) after the Eagle Scout rank has been earned. These palms help keep the Eagle Scouts active within the unit, contributing to the leadership of the unit, and assisting with the growth of the other Scouts within the unit.

For every 5 additional Merit Badges earned over the required 21 for Eagle Scout Rank plus completing 6 achievements, the Eagle Scout will earn a Bronze, then a Gold and finally a Silver, the highest Eagle Palm. Eagles Scouts can earn up to 121 Merit Badges until the Scouts 18th birthday.

See requirements at Eagle Palms Requirements

*NOTE: These requirements may be worked on simultaneously with those for Second Class and First Class; however these ranks must be earned in sequence. Many Scouts can earn First Class Rank within the first year with Troop 1534 through a focused program already in place.

Merit Badges

Earning merit badges allows you to explore many fields, helps you round out your skills, and introduces you to subjects that will perhaps become lifelong interests or a rewarding career.

There are more than 120 merit badges for you to choose from. You may earn any merit badge at any time, with Scoutmaster approval. Don’t wait for someone to tell you when and which merit badge to work on. You don’t need to reach a certain rank in order to be eligible. However, you should concentrate on achieving the rank of First Class before devoting a lot time to working on merit badges.