Advancement

Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank.

Advancement is the method by which we promote and encourage the ongoing involvement and commitment that keeps members coming back for more. It works best when it is built into a unit’s program so that simply participating leads to meaningful achievement and recognition—and to a continually improving readiness for more complex experiences.

Advancement Principles

Personal growth is the prime consideration in the advancement program.
Scouting skills—what a young person knows how to do—are important, but they are not the most important aspect of advancement. Scouting’s concern is the total growth of youth. This growth may be measured by how youth live the Scouting ideals, and how they do their part in their daily lives.

Learning by doing.
A Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturer or Sea Scout may read about fire building or good citizenship. He/she may hear it discussed, and watch others in action, but he/she has not learned first aid until he/she has done it.

Each youth progresses at his or her own rate.
Advancement is not a competition among individual young people, but is an expression of their interest and participation in the program. Youth must be encouraged to advance steadily and set their own goals with guidance from their parents, guardians, or leaders.

Scoutbook

Scoutbook is the BSA’s online unit management tool and helps Scouts, parents and leaders track advancement and
milestone achievements along the Scouting trail. For more information, please visit www.scoutbook.com. The BSA
has announced that Scoutbook subscriptions are now FREE to all BSA units.

Links

Cub Scout Advancement

Scouts BSA – Eagle Scout

Venturing – Summit Award

STEM Awards

Contact

Direct any questions or concerns regarding Advancement to the New Horizons District Advancement Chair:
Sophie Craft
sophiec@hotmail.com
314-791-3042