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Troop 116 Advancement and Awards

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Troop 116 Guidelines & Requirements

			Advancement Guidelines
			Merit Badge Protocols
			Board of Review Protocols
			Advancement Review Requirements and Responsibilities

ADVANCEMENT GUIDELINES

• The Scout to take the initiative and to work;
• The parents to encourage excellence;
• The adult leaders of the Troop to provide guidance and opportunity.

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Merit Badge Protocols

Merit badges are an integral part of advancement for ranks above First Class. Merit badges are important for the Scout to learn new skills, to work outside the normal Troop meeting with an adult counselor, and to present what he has done. Some weekly meeting programs and most of the planned monthly outings include counselors and opportunities for working toward and passing off merit badge requirements. Prior and outside preparation is required. Requirements for earning merit badges include the following steps to be taken by the Scout.

1. Get approval from the Scoutmaster prior to beginning work on a merit badge. This is done by obtaining a merit badge "blue card" and asking the Scoutmaster to sign it.  He will advise you about possible merit badge counselors who are registered for the desired badge.

2. Obtain the desired merit badge book and become familiar with the requirements of the badge. The Troop has a limited supply of merit badge books which may be checked out from the Troop Librarian. Some are old and out of date. Be sure to check the book date to insure it is the current version.

3. With the advice and assistance of the Scoutmaster, find a merit badge counselor who is registered for the desired badge. The Scoutmaster and Advancement Chairman maintain a list of such adults and can assist the Scout in finding an appropriate counselor. To prevent embarrassment and misunderstanding, we request that a parent not sign a merit badge card as counselor for his own son.

4. Before beginning any requirements for the badge, contact the assigned merit badge counselor to get his agreement to be your counselor and to get any instructions he may have for completion of requirements to his satisfaction.

5. Successfully complete all the requirements to the satisfaction of the designated counselor and have the him sign and date the merit badge card. Prior to presenting the merit badge card to the counselor for signature, the Scout should enter in ink his name & address, troop, district, council, counselor name & address, and name of merit badge into the appropriate spaces on the card. The Scout should leave all dates blank. Dates are entered by the Scoutmaster or counselor when signing.

6. Present the completed merit badge card to the Scoutmaster for his second signature and processing.

A current list of merit badge counselors who are officially BSA registered is maintained in the Troop database by the Scoutmaster. Scouts interested in this information should request it from the Scoutmaster during the process described above.

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Advancement Board of Review Protocols

A Scout coming before an Advancement Board of Review should be thoroughly familiar with what was done for the rank applied for, including merit badge work completed for the rank. He he must be in proper and complete Official Scout Uniform (with merit badge sash). Scouts who are ready to advance and want to shedule a Board of Review should do the following:

1. Insure that all requirements have been completed.

2. Ask the Scoutmaster for a "Scoutmaster Conference." It is advisable to give him at least a week's notice.

3. Participate in a practice or pre-Board of Review. The Troop Guide, your Patrol Leader, or any other leadership Scout can assist in scheduling and conducting a pre-board.

4. Ask the Asst. Advancement Chairman to schedule a Board of Review for you. He will also need at least a week's notice.

1. Be in proper and complete Official Scout Uniform with merit badge sash.

2. Bring your Boy Scout Handbook.

3. Bring your merit badge "blue cards" for merit badges earned and required for the rank being applied for.

4. Bring rope and poles suitable for tying the required knots and lashings.

5. Bring your compass and a topo map.

6. Bring any merit badge books and/or written work or project documentation that is applicable.

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ADVANCEMENT REVIEW REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A Scout who is not steadily advancing through 1st Class rank is missing a vital part of the program. Advancement beyond 1st Class is attainable through the opportunities which the Troop provides, but it also requires determination and initiative on the part of the Scout. Guidelines indicating the maximum amounts of time that should elapse from joining to the attainment of each rank up through 1st Class are listed below. If these are not being met, the Scout and/or parents should contact the Advancement Chairman.

These are maximums; an active, well motivated Scout can achieve 1st Class within 12 months. Refer to the Boy Scout Handbook.