Once a RANK or a Merit Badge has been earned, it can never be taken away.   In addition, once a Merit Badge Councilor signs a "blue card" stating that the badge requirement has been completed, no one has the authority to overturn the decision or refuse to award the badge to the Scout.  (BSA policy)

Firemen' Chit and Toten' Chip are safety badges and it is at the discretion of the Troop Leadership to revoke a Scouts PRIVILEGES for fire-starting or knife/axe use.    Should this ever happen, the corrective process is usually retaking the instructional course.  Until that happens, a Scout is not permitted to carry/use a knife, nor may he start or tend a fire.

Advancment in Scouting is COMPLETELY under the control of the Scout himself.

As fast as he can learn the skills, he can get credit for them towards rank advancment.

TYPICALLY, it will take more than 1 year for him to make it from Scout, to Tenderfoot, to 2nd Class, and then to 1st Class.  We do use a "1st Class in the 1st Year" agenda to keep newer boys focussed (and soften the "culture shock" from coming from a Cub Pack to a Troop).    A Scout can work on the requirements for rank IN ANY ORDER, but his actual progression through the ranks must be sequencial.

Some of the rank requirements have SET TIMES that must be met before he can get credit for them and advance.  These are clearly outlined in the back pages of his Scout Handbook.

A boy has until his 18th birthday to reach Eagle and/or be a Boy Scout, but the typical age of an Eagle in the BSA is a surprisingly young 14 years of age.  

Reaching Eagle is NOT an easy task and requires an abundance of effort and self-motivation.  Encouragement at home is CRUCIAL to a boy's success towards his Eagle Rank.

Scoutmaster Conference

 After a Scout completes all the required tasks towards his next badge of rank, the next step is for the Scout to meet with the Scoutmaster for a "Scoutmaster's Conference".

The Scoutmaster's Conference SHOULD NEVER be a re-testing of any of his skills.  Certifying his skills is the responsibility of the leader who "signed off" on his Handbook.   Rather, the conference is a chance for the Scoutmaster to make sure all requirements are signed off, and then engage in a comfortable, yet detailed, discussion on how the Scout is feeling about the Program and how Scouting is fitting into his life as a whole.  (This IS a character building program, if you didn't know.)

The Scoutmaster wants to hear from the Scout exactly what he likes, doesn't like, might want to do different, etc.  He wants to know what his ambitions are in Scouting and "life".  The ultimate goal is to make sure the Scouting experience is of real benefit to the Scout's development. 

Once the Scoutmaster is convinced the Scout is ready to move forward towards the next rank, the Scoutmaster will direct the Scout to meet with members of the Committee, where a similar meeting will take place.  This is known as a Board of Review.

Board of Review 

After a Scout complets his Scoutmaster Conference, he is to appear for a Board of Review.

Amazingly, its functions just like a job or private high school interview (this is not by accident) where the Scout will basically be addressing 2 specific topics: 

How is the Program (including adult leaders) running, and is there anything the Committee should/need to do to make the Program better?

Why does the Scout feel as though he has earned his rank and is ready to move forward to the next rank?

There will be several questions put to the Scout by 3 to 5 Committee members comprising the Board, but ultimately, the 2 questions above are what is being addressed.   For example, a Scout will not be asked to tie a square knot, but may be asked "which knot was the hardest, and how did you get yourself to finally learn it?"

Like a job interview, the Scout MUST come properly dressed; wearing the full (clean and presentable)  BSA Field Uniform.  Per BSA policy a Scout should be in "as much of the uniform as possible" for a Board of Review.   Since it "is possible" to be in full uniform, we prefer that Scouts be appropriately dressed as to help them realize that advancement is something "special".

After meeting with the Scout, the Board will debate and if they are in unanimous agreement, will allow rank advancement to be recognized.

Court of Honor 

 A Court of Honor is a Boy Scouting awards ceremony, commonly held quarterly throughout the year.  It is a formal recognition ceremony of awards, badges, or advancement they may have already received at the weekly meetings.  Why recognize things "already received"?  Because Scouts stay motivated by "instant recognition" of work they've done, so as soon as a Scout earns his next rank or completes a merit badge, they are presented to him to help him stay motivated.

At the Court of Honor,  Scouts and their families gather for a formal recognition of advancement(s) and accomplishments that have been earned since the last Court of Honor.  There are also periods for the Troop's Committee Chairperson to speak to the state of the Troop, or for some other event such as Scouting's annual Friends of Scouting campaign, updates on fund raising, etc.  Lots of information is presented, but the focus is always on the Scouts' accomplishments first and foremost.  Awards for adults or other troop business is downplayed so the focus stays on "building men".

By ceremoniously recognizing the value of advancement and hard work, we hope to strengthen a boy's motivation to continue being active within the Troop and reach for the next rank.  The Court of Honor also gives parents/guardians valuable insight to accomplishments or Program happenings they may not see due to their lack of presence at the weekly meetings.

As always, the goal is to ENCOURAGE through positive reinforcement and praise.  Please join us WHENEVER the possibility exists, to accentuate accomplishments and achievements!