Ranks Overview

Rank Advancement

A Scout’s advancement is the natural outcome derived from consistent participation in regular Scouting activities, campouts and other events. At Troop meetings and on outings, Scouts will have opportunities to learn and practice the skills necessary to advance, with the guidance of older and more experienced Scouts. The Advancement Chair is responsible for enforcement of all advancement policies.

Scouting Skills Instruction and Testing

The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Troop Guides, Instructors, parents and outside experts will all be called upon to provide Scouting Skills instruction. The Scouts BSA Handbook is our primary resource for learning these skills. Regular meetings and outings of the Troop provide ample opportunity for demonstrations and practice.

Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class Skills’ testing is a relatively informal process intended to be supportive rather than intimidating. When the Scout feels they have mastered a skill required for advancement to Tenderfoot, Second Class or First Class rank, their next step is to meet with an Assistant Scoutmaster, a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster or an Eagle, Life or Star Scout. The Scout will then demonstrate the skill, and the leader will observe and determine if the Scout has indeed mastered the skill and satisfied that requirement for rank advancement.

Parents are not allowed to sign off on their own scout’s rank advancement, regardless of their position within the Troop. As the Scout progresses, they are expected to retain their knowledge of all skills previously learned. In addition to developing important skills, this process builds confidence, and the Scout will in turn be relied upon to teach the skills they have mastered to new and less experienced Scouts, thereby fulfilling one of the goals of the Scout Led Troop.

Below are links to the Advancement Requirements for each Rank