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Rank Advancement
Scout Badge – All Scouts who pass the joining requirements listed in the Scout Handbook immediately earn the Scout Badge, the first rank in Scouting. Scouts who have just crossed over from Webelos will recognize these requirements as they are very similar to the requirements for the Arrow of Light. Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class - The first set of ranks - Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class - are designed to teach camping, first aid, and safety - the core skills of Scouting. Some Scouts do all of the requirements in less than a year, while others take longer. But all Scouts must meet the same set of requirements for these first important ranks. Any fellow Scout two-ranks above you or more can sign off on your rank advancement requirements up through First Class. Star, Life and Eagle - After you have completed First Class, the next ranks (Star, Life and Eagle) have more leadership and service requirements. They also require you to earn Merit Badges, a set of awards for mastering specific skills. More information on earning Merit Badges can be found here. Information on becoming an Eagle Scout (the highest rank in Scouting) can be found here. Scoutmaster Conference Whenever you complete the requirements for a rank, the next step is to sit down with the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster conference. This is an important final step to advancement described in more detail here. Board of Review All rank advancements, except for the Scout badge, require a Board of Review. The members of a Board of Review are adult leaders in the troop, other than the Scoutmaster, who will review your work and discuss with you your next steps in Scouting. More information on Boards of Review can be found here. Court of Honor When you complete a rank advancement you will usually be given the badge at the next troop meeting. About three or four times a year, the troop will hold a special meeting called a Court of Honor. This is a formal ceremony to recognize you and your fellow Scouts for rank advancement and other Scouting achievements. This event is held with an audience of family, friends, chartered organization officials, and troop leaders. Merit Badges There are over a hundred Merit Badges that allow you to learn new subjects, increase your ability to be of service to others, take part in outdoor adventures, better understand the environment, and play a valuable role in your family and community. Earning a merit badge can even lead you toward a lifelong hobby or set you on the way to a rewarding career. See this page for more information about merit badges. Other Awards As you move up the ranks in Scouting, there are other awards you can earn as you learn new things and achieve new accomplishments. New Scouts are asked to earn their Totin’ Chip award that demonstrates they are ready to work with knives, saws and other wood tools, and a Firem'n Chit that demonstrates they understand fire safety. Many service projects, adventure programs and other activities can also lead to additional special awards. Troop meetings are the best place to find out about opportunities to earn special recognition for your Scouting achievements. |