Previous page: Scout Badge : Joining Requirements
Signing Rank Requirements
The BSA program leaves several areas of Scouting to the discretion of each troop to manage. One of these is the question of who signs off rank requirements. Each scout must complete about 60 requirements (not including the numerous requirements for merit badges) to advance from Tenderfoot to Eagle. Working directly with every scout on each rank requirement is too big a job for many Scoutmasters, so the Scoutmaster and troop committee will usually decide who else can sign off the requirements. Only leaders, adult or youth (with approval), may sign off requirements. In most troops, any Assistant Scoutmaster can sign off requirements.
Troops may find that allowing older scouts to sign off rank requirements gives them an increased sense of responsibility and empowerment.
Anyone who signs off requirements should have a basic knowledge of the skill that they are signing off on. This may come from past experience or can be learned from another adult in the troop by reading the Boy Scout Handbook or in BSA training courses.
Advancements need to be the boy's responsibility and not the parents'. Parents can encourage their sons to work on advancements, help them learn and practice skills, and help them meet the right people to sign off advancements. The boys should obtain signatures, call to make appointments, etc.
A member of the adult committee — the advancement chair — usually keeps a record of the scout's advancement progress. The committee may provide a progress report listing your boy's achieved requirements for your records. They may use software to manage records (see page [Keeping Track of Achievements]).
Previous page: Scout Badge : Joining Requirements
Next page: Ranks
|
Order the parents and new leaders guide to Boy Scouting Inside this quick reference you'll learn: how to get started (for the boy, parent, and leader), about significant requirements, how to earn merit badges, to prepare for overnighters and summer camps, what to wear on the uniform, about the boy-led patrols, how to volunteer, steps to complete the Eagle, and lots more! Order the Book Now |
