Advancement Updates
as of 11/19/2007
Boy Scout Rank Requirements
Monday, 19 November 2007
The National Youth Protection Committee recommended additions to Boy Scout rank requirements that were approved and will become effective January 1, 2008. These changes will help us advance the importance of Youth Protection training beyond the initial Boy Scout joining requirements, and keep youth informed and actively engaged in understanding the key elements of personal safety and protection.Tenderfoot Rank
Revised requirement 9:
Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one.
Second Class Rank
New requirement 8b:
Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.
First Class Rank
New requirement 12:
Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.
The changes will be represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book and the revised ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.
Tiger Cub Rank Notice
Thursday, 22 February 2007
Important Tiger Cub Advancement Update
There has recently been a change by the national Scout office in the Tiger Cub requirements. Tiger Cubs working on their Tiger badge must first earn the Bobcat badge - earning the Bobcat is now a requirement for earning the Tiger badge. In prior years, Tigers could not earn their Bobcat before completing their Tiger badge. The newest edition of the Tiger Cub book makes the new requirement clear. However, most of our current Tigers have the older edition Tiger book, which lists the old requirements. Any pack with Tigers that have already earned Tiger badges under the old requirements, will be honored as complete. We urge these Tigers to complete the Bobcat requirements as soon as possible. As of April 1st 2007, the council will enforce the new requirement that the Bobcat badge must first be earned before the Tiger badge is complete. The good news is that the Bobcat badge is not hard to earn - all good Tigers, working with their parents, should be able to complete it in a few weeks. The Tiger Cub program is a great beginning to the Scouting experience. Earning the Bobcat badge is a terrific way for Tiger Cubs and their parents to learn about and understand the Cub Scout program.
Fire Bans and Cooking Requirements for Advancement
A significant part of the country is currently under fire bans that prevent the use of the open flames outdoors. Some of these bans have been in effect more than six months and are preventing Scouts from completing Tenderfoot requirement 3 and Second Class requirements 2e, 2f, and 2g.
The National Advancement Committee has approved the substitution, during periods of fire bans only of the use of cook stove or, when n outdoor coking is allowed, completion of these requirements over a kitchen stove. Please appreciate the importance of these exceptions to Scouts and leaders currently working on these requirements.
These substitutions are allowed only during periods of fire bans.
Beginning January 1, 2006, an additional requirement will be added to the requirements for First Class rank in Boy Scouting. Scouts beginning their First Class requirement work after this date must complete the new requirement. Scouts working on First Class requirements prior to this date will have until June 30, 2006 to complete First Class rank without completing the new requirement.
The new requirement tests the candidate's persuasive communications skills and can help make Scouting available to more boys. It reads as follows:
"Tell someone who is eligible to join Boy Scouts, or an inactive Boy Scout, about your troop's activities. Invite him to a troop outing, activity, service project or meeting. Tell him how to join, or encourage the inactive Boy Scout to become active."
The Boy Scout Handbook and 2006 Requirements book will be updated with this new detail.
All Scoutmasters were sent a DVD containing tools that young Scouts can use to assist them in completing this requirement, including a video that trains them how to so speak to their friends about joining, and a video of Scout activity images they can share with someone interested in joining. Also, Scouts can find support for the completion of this requirement on the Boy Scout membership web site, www.thescoutzone.org.
The Boy Scout Requirements 2005 publication and 2004 printing of the Eagle application form contain a change in the requirements to hold an Eagle Board of Review after the applicant's 18th birthday. The change is for boards to be held between three months and six months after the 18th birthday. Pre-approval by the local council to hold the board is now required in addition to the previously required letter from an unit adult explaining the reason for the delay in holding the board.
The procedure for obtaining the council's preapproval is submit to the Council Advancement Committee at the Council Service Center: (1) a letter requesting council preapproval and giving the reasons for the delay, (2) the Eagle application, (3) the applicant's Statement of Ambitions form Eagle requirement 6, and (4) the Eagle Project Workbook. A pre-review of the applicant's material will be done to assure that all requirements were completed prior to his 18th birthday and the material will be returned with the council's preapproval for holding the board of review.
Eagle Boards of Review may still be held without exceptions within three months after the 18th birthday. The Boy Scout Division at the National BSA office must still be contacted for the procedures for holding an Eagle Board of Review more than six months after the 18th birthday.