Troop 529 Advancement
Trail to Eagle
The advancement program can be divided into three interconnected and sometimes overlapping parts:
1. Basic Scout Skills
These include essential skills such as camping, cooking, first aid, physical fitness, and swimming. A scout must master these basic scoutcraft skills as he progresses from Scout through First Class ranks.
2. Merit Badge Program
The Boy Scout program offers over one hundred diverse merit badges. From First Class to Eagle rank, a scout must complete 21 of these badges. Twelve are specified by the program, while the remaining nine can be chosen from the available options. [Click here for more information about the Merit Badge Process at Troop 29]
3. Personal Growth/Character Development
Throughout his scouting experience (and ideally for the rest of his life), a scout is expected to live according to the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The scout’s “scout spirit” is periodically reviewed by him and his scoutmaster. A “scoutmaster’s conference,” where the scoutmaster assesses the scout’s adherence to the Scout Oath and Scout Law, is one of the final steps before completing any rank.
Teaching Staff
There are three sets of teachers in the Boy Scout program:
Older Scouts: More experienced scouts, typically at least First Class rank, teach basic scoutcraft skills to those working on Tenderfoot through First Class ranks. This instruction is a key part of troop meetings. (Swimming requirements are an exception, as they are overseen by a certified lifeguard.)
Adult Scouters: Adult scouters serve as role models by exemplifying the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their lives. At least two adult scouters, including one member of the scoutmaster corps, are present at all scout functions to act as leaders, teachers, and support/resource personnel for the older scout instructors.
Merit Badge Counselors: These are community members who volunteer to share their expertise in specific subjects with interested scouts. They are carefully chosen and screened, just like other adult scouters. Note: All Troop 29 merit badge counselors must be approved by the Freedom Trail advancement chairman, and BSA regulations stipulate that no individual may counsel more than six merit badges.
Teaching Forums
Teaching and learning occur whenever a scout interacts with an adult, whether at home, school, church, or scout meetings. Formal teaching/learning forums include:
A merit badge counselor’s home or office (with another adult present).
Troop meetings where a merit badge counselor is invited by the patrol leader’s council (typically to teach an Eagle-required merit badge).
Summer camp, offering younger scouts the chance to complete scoutcraft skills and older scouts the opportunity to work on outdoor-oriented merit badges like ornithology and mammal study.
Troop campouts.
Scout’s Responsibility
The primary responsibility for advancement rests with the individual scout. The troop committee includes an advancement chairman who counsels scouts not advancing at a reasonable pace. However, it is up to the scout to seek out instruction in scoutcraft skills from older scouts (or scouters, if necessary) and to contact merit badge counselors. While any scouter will gladly help a scout who asks, the responsibility lies with the scout.
Parent Responsibility
Parents can support their scout’s journey to Eagle rank in two main ways:
Encouragement: Boys take cues from adults close to them. If a parent shows interest in the scout’s progress and activities, the scout will likely prioritize scouting over other demands.
Involvement: Parental involvement can range from attending courts of honor and providing transportation to campouts, to active work on the troop committee, helping at summer camp, or becoming a member of the scoutmaster’s corps. Almost every scout who has achieved Eagle rank had an actively involved parent, though the reverse is not always true.
Ideals of Scouting
The ideals of Scouting are encapsulated in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. These principles are the foundation of Scouting, outlining our goals for each boy who joins. Without the Scout Oath and Law, Scouting would be just another club.
Take a look at the words in the Scout Oath and Law, and you'll see the positive impact Scouting can have on your son:
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best to
Do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Motto
Be Prepared
Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily
Scout Law
A Scout is....
TRUSTWORTHY A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
HELPFUL A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
FRIENDLY A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
KIND A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
CHEERFUL A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
REVERENT A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Patrol Method
The patrol is the basic unit of Scouting. When your son joins, he becomes a member of a patrol, a group of Scouts he will camp with, play with at meetings and activities, and work with on various tasks. His patrol will be like a second family, providing support, comfort, laughter, and companionship, even through muddy adventures.
Outdoors
The outdoors is where Scouting truly comes to life. While some activities take place indoors or in front of a computer, the most important experiences happen outside. Scouting wouldn't be as fun without outdoor adventures. Your son will spend a lot of time outdoors, learning to sleep in a tent in winter, swim, hike, camp, cook, track wildlife, and much more. The outdoors is where boys belong, exploring and learning in nature.
Advancement
Advancement is how Scouts learn and grow. Your son will acquire skills like camping and first aid while exploring hobbies and potential careers such as dentistry, electronics, journalism, fishing, coin collecting, and pet care. Each badge presents challenging requirements that encourage him to think, plan, and motivate himself. Unlike school, Scouting advancement is self-directed, fun, and builds confidence in his ability to achieve his goals.
Personal Growth
Personal growth is both a goal and a method of Scouting. Your son will discover his strengths and weaknesses, try new things in a supportive environment, and learn about himself. Over time, he will gain a deeper understanding of who he is, fostering significant personal development.
Adult Association
Adult association is vital for your son. Kids seek adult approval and rarely find it outside the home. Scouting allows your son to interact with adults, learn to work with them, and see positive adult behaviors to emulate. Scouting also offers you a chance to be involved, not just as a spectator but as a Scoutmaster, committee member, or merit badge counselor, contributing to the program's success.
Leadership Development
Leadership development is a standout feature of Scouting. Unlike other youth organizations, Scouting empowers youth to make decisions, develop the program, and lead. Adults act as guides and mentors, while Scouts take on real leadership roles, learning to make decisions, compromise, and lead their peers.
The Uniform
The Scout uniform is more than just clothing. It symbolizes a commitment to Scouting ideals and showcases achievements. It fosters a sense of belonging and pride, both in personal appearance and accomplishments. To the community, the uniform represents a positive image, reminding everyone that not all kids are bad and not all groups are violent.
Join Us!!
We hope you’ll seriously consider joining us in the Boy Scouts of America. If you are looking for a great Scout troop, please contact us.