Advancement and Merit Badges

troop778g on October 3, 2022

Rank Advancement and Merit Badges 101

This post outlines the basics of rank advancement items and merit badges. Please use the section headers to find what you want/need.

For each of these items, there are several different ways to achieve the item, and the steps to do once you earn the item can vary.

There are two ways that Scouts learn important life skills and have a super fun time in Scouts BSA:

  1. Rank advancement items
  2. Merit badges

It is up to each Scout (and their family) how they go about completing each of them, but rest assured, there are many paths, and they are all good.

Side Note on Recording Advancement

We are currently in a time of transition as far as the recording of both items. The Scout has a paper Scout handbook with an area to record and “sign off” on items AND there is also an electronic Scoutbook where all of these same items need to be recorded. There will be times when a Scout has items recorded in their electronic Scoutbook but not in their paper Scout handbook or vice versa. Occasionally, the Advancement Chair or other adult leader will reconcile these records to each other and update all records. Scouts and their families can also complete these reconciliations. If you do not have access to your Scout’s electronic Scoutbook, please reach out to an adult leader, and we will help get you connected.

Advancement Items

The first four ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class) are related to learning and teaching the basics of Scouts BSA. There are several resources to learn the rank advancement items:

  1. The Scout handbook is a great resource! In the back of the Scout handbook, there are page numbers next to each advancement item that direct Scouts to the pages that cover that particular item. The Scout can go to those pages and read the information.
  2. The Scout can work with another Scout or an adult leader to learn more about the advancement item. This work can be done before, during, or after meetings, campouts, and other activities or at another pre-determined time.
  3. The Scout can visit Scouter Rob’s YouTube channel where he has posted videos for most advancement items. (This resource has been helpful for many of our Scouts.)
  4. The Scouts can attend events (one-day events or at summer camp) that are organized to teach Scout advancement items. At the end the event, the Scout receives a paper outlining what was covered and brings it back to the troop to be recorded in their electronic Scoutbook and paper Scout handbook.

For Troop 778G, adult leaders (particularly the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and the Advancement Chair) and/or Scouts who have reached Life or Eagle rank may review and sign off on advancement items. Scouts who have reached Life or Eagle rank must sign off on requirements in person and using the paper Scout Handbook. Additionally, they must follow two stipulations in order to be allowed to sign off on another Scout’s advancement requirements:

  1. The Scout signing off must have already completed the particular rank advancement and
  2. The Scout signing off must not have taught the rank advancement to the Scout

When a Life or Eagle Scout signs off on another Scout’s rank advancements, the Life or Eagle Scouts will initial and date the Scout’s paper handbook. Later, the Scout will present the handbook to the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster, or the Advancement Chair to have the electronic Scoutbook records updated.

If an adult leader is signing off on a Scout’s advancement requirements, the process can be completed one of three ways:

  1. In person
  2. Virtually (Zoom or Google Meet)
  3. Through texted/emailed videos of the Scout demonstrating the required item – To begin the Scout should state what item(s) they will be demonstrating/discussing, and then, they should proceed with the material to complete what is required. For example: “I am Sally Scout, and I will be demonstrating First Class 4b. … “

Youth Protection

Please note that all electronic communications should include a second adult for Youth Protection standards. Often, the Scout copies their parent(s) or another adult leader on emails and includes their parent(s) or another adult leader on texts. In-person meetings should always have another adult nearby/within eyesight as well. 

It is important to remember, too, that relatives (parents, grandparents, siblings, etc.) cannot complete sign-offs for their relatives. Relatives should also not complete Scoutmaster Conferences or Boards of Review for their relatives.

And, if an adult leader signs off on a Scout’s requirement electronically, the Scout and/or their parents should update the Scout’s paper handbook for any rank advancements that have been approved. Record the adult leader’s initials and the date once the adult leader confirms that they have signed off in Scoutbook. (Adult leaders can also reconcile electronic and paper records when time allows/as needed.)

The next three ranks (Star, Life and Eagle) are built around service and leadership. The advancement requirements for these ranks will be worked on closely with the troop’s adult leaders, particularly the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Advancement Chair. Scouts can also participate in district and council events to help them on their trail to Eagle.

Scout Goals

Not every Scout has the goal of achieving Eagle, which is perfectly fine. Ideally, every Scout will achieve 1st class in their first year of Scouting, but again, that progression is up to the Scout. The troop provides opportunities to work on and complete the advancement items, but we do not force a Scout to work on advancement. Some Scouts love to be part of Scouting just for the friendships, camping, and fun, which is also awesome! All are welcome!

Merit Badges

There are more than 135 merit badges available for Scouts to earn, but did you know to earn Eagle Scout only 21 merit badges are needed? There are 14 specific merit badges required for Eagle Scout and an additional seven “Scout’s choice” (or elective) merit badges needed. Some Scouts want to earn all of the merit badges. Some Scouts only want to earn the minimum required merit badges. And, for many Scouts, it’s everything in between! Most Scouts choose merit badges based on what is Eagle-required and then on what is of interest to them. However, we have had Scouts who have chosen merit badges based on what the actual merit badge patch looks like! The list of Eagle-required merit badges as of July 2022 is available at Eagle Rank Requirements (usscouts.org).

There are many ways to earn merit badges, and again, it is up to the Scout to determine what works best for them. A few options follow, and there is an appendix at the end of the document with more details for each of these options:

  1. Scouts can complete merit badge classes virtually (usually through Zoom). The Scout is usually asked to complete prerequisites before the Zoom session and to actively participate during the Zoom session, including having their camera on and wearing their field uniform. You can find virtual merit badges through many different means.
  2. Scouts can complete merit badges at their own pace through Google classrooms that have been created by organizations and/or merit badge counselors.
  3. Scouts can complete merit badges through various stores/organizations that have in-person sessions and/or work-at-your-own-pace processes.
  4. Scouts can attend a Merit Badge University (some are virtual and some are in-person) or complete merit badges at a summer camp.
  5. Scouts can connect with a local merit badge counselor and work with them directly.

Most Scouts complete their merit badges through a combination of several of the options above. Once a merit badge is earned, it has to be recorded.

Requirements

To earn a merit badge, the Scout must satisfactory complete the items required for the merit badge. To find the requirements, the Scout can search the internet and review the required items and/or print the workbook. These workbooks are very helpful because they provide an outline and allow the Scout to record the information needed. However, Scouts BSA is very clear that the workbook is not required but is a great way to organize what is needed.

Recording the Merit Badge

Some merit badge counselors connect with the Scout through the electronic Scoutbook and record the requirements achieved and completions inside of Scoutbook (this method is becoming much more common). Other merit badge counselors require the Scout to bring provide a blue merit badge card that has been signed by a unit leader from the Scout’s troop (this method is becoming more rare). Finally, there are merit badge counselors that provide an electronic blue card. For both the actual blue card and electronic blue cards, the Scout forwards the blue card (or a photo or scan of the blue card) to the Advancement Chairperson and/or Scoutmaster. The Advancement Chairperson and/or Scoutmaster then records the merit badge in the electronic Scoutbook. The Scout should track merit badge completions in their paper Scout handbook, too – both in the appropriate rank advancement area and in the merit badge section.

Appendix

Virtual Merit Badges

When it comes to finding in-person and virtual merit badge sessions, Facebook is your best resource. There are many groups that list merit badges that are being offered both by individual counselors and by councils for merit badge universities. (If you do not have a Facebook account, it is recommended that you create one just for finding merit badge opportunities. You never have to post or “friend” anyone. You will simply join or follow groups that are posting the merit badges.)

Several groups have proven helpful to other Scouts and Scouting families, and you can search for these groups on the Facebook site/in the Facebook app:

  1. Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
  2. Gravois Trail District, St. Louis Area Council, BSA
  3. Gravois Trail District Scouting
  4. Online Merit Badge Classes-Scouts BSA
  5. Virtual Merit Badge Classes
  6. BSA Merit Badges & Awards
  7. Merit Badge Workshop Finder-STL Area
  8. BSA Merit Badge classes with Scoutmaster Heather
  9. BSA Merit Badge Opportunities
    10.BSA Merit Badges with Tim and Lisa
  10. BSA Merit Badge Classes with Kerri Mikulus
  11. “Scouts BSA” Virtual Summer Camp
  12. BSA Merit Badge Zoom
  13. Classes with Erin McCown Foster (This Scouter’s daughter was part of the troop when we were virtual. Erin is excellent, and we love the family.)
  14. BSA Virtual Merit Badges: Classes with Joshua Cromer

Some of these groups you “follow” while you need to join others. To join, you sometimes answer a few questions about your involvement in Scouting. Then, they will admit you to the group. Within each of these groups, there are individuals who also post other merit badge opportunities. There are probably many more groups available, too!

You can also search, in any browser, for the merit badge the Scout is looking for and find many resources. Edmond Historical Society (edmondhistory.org) is one organization through which many Scouts have completed merit badges. Its programs are excellent.

Local Merit Badge Counselors

To find a merit badge counselor for a specific merit badge in the St. Louis area, reach out to the troop Advancement Chairperson for assistance and/or a recommendation.

Other Merit Badge Opportunities

Additional opportunities for merit badge sessions may be available through the Greater St. Louis Scouts BSA Merit Badge Center (https://stlbsa.org/advancement-
awards/merit-badges/). The Swimming section is particularly helpful, and many of our Scouts have completed water-related programs through Y-Kiki Divers.

St. Louis Sprout & About also offers information about scouting badge possibilities (both Girl Scouts and “Boy” Scouts, which is now called Scouts BSA):
https://www.stlsprout.com/articles/best-bets/item/6231-fun-places-to-earn-scout-badges.