Advancement
About Advancement.
Every Scouting activity moves young people toward the basic aims of: character development, citizenship training, leadership, and mental and physical fitness.
Advancement is one of the eight methods used by Scout leaders to help youth fulfill the aims of Scouting America.
Guide to Advancement
Advancement Approval
Parents or guardians are involved at home encouraging, mentoring, and supporting, but do not sign for rank advancement or Merit Badge requirements. It is preferable for an authorized person other than the Scout’s own parent to certify their accomplishments.
Why We Do It This Way
Advancement at this level presents a Scout with a series of challenges in a fun and educational manner. As the youth completes the requirements, the aims of Scouting are being achieved: to develop character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, to develop leadership skills, and to develop physical and mental fitness. It is important to remember that in the end, badges recognize that Scouts have gone through experiences of learning things they did not previously know. Through increased confidence, Scouts discover or realize they are able to learn a variety of skills and disciplines. Advancement is about what Scouts are able to learn and to do, and how they have grown. Retention of skills and knowledge is then developed later by using what has been learned through the natural course of unit programming; for example, instructing others and using skills in games and on outings. Advancement is not so much a reward for what has been done. It is more about the journey: As a Scout advances, the Scout grows in confidence and self-reliance, they build upon skills and abilities learned. The badge signifies that a young person—through participation in a series of activities—has provided service to others, practiced personal responsibility, and set the examples critical to the development of leadership; all the while working to live by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. As parents I believe we have all witnessed the growth in confidence our youth are able to achieve when it is not us, their parents, they need to communicate with and answer to.
For the full guide to advancement please click below: