Advancement | Scouting America, Patriots' Path Council

Council Advancement Committee

The committee members include the Chair, Vice Chair, the chairs of the 4 district advancement committees, MB Dean Coordinator, Special Needs Liaison, Camp Advancement Liaison and several members-at-large. These volunteers represent a breadth of experience, both in Scouting and professionally. They cooperate with the other program function elements — outdoor programs, activities and civic service and training —and with the membership, finance, and unit-service functions. The committee is supported by a council professional staff advisor.

Committee Responsibilities

The committee is responsible for implementing and facilitating advancement and processing most special awards and recognitions. This is done according to national procedures and local practices under the direction of the council executive board. The council advancement committee falls under the authority of the Vice President for Program Impact.

We follow Scouting America’s official source for administering advancement, the Guide to Advancement. For situations not specifically covered in that document, we make decisions based on the aims and mission of Scouting America, the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and common sense. Advancement is nothing more and nothing less than a method of meeting these goals.

The committee oversees advancement for: Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturers.

Unit Eagle Mentor and Coach Training

Traditionally, knowledgeable unit leaders often work with Life Scouts as informal Eagle Mentors to encourage and advise Eagle candidates on their trail to Eagle.

Scouts BSA Advancement Information

Who Approves Scouts BSA Advancement?

In Scouts BSA, both adult and youth leaders approve advancement. This permits greater emphasis on standards and more consistency in measurement, but it also places additional importance on teaching and testing. As Scouts work with one another, learning takes place on both sides of the equation as they play teacher and student in turn. Parents are involved at home encouraging, mentoring, and supporting, but they do not sign for rank advancement requirements unless they serve as registered leaders.

Providing a troop program supporting advancement

Scouts advance from the rank of Scout to Eagle by participating with their patrol and troop, with their leaders, and on their own. Well-delivered programming will take youth to First Class in their first year of membership and then to Star rank the following year. The New Scouts Path to First Class is a council-provided resource to help troops develop a program (and track progress) for the transition of youth from the Cub Scout program to the Scouts BSA program and retain them through an advancement program that provides new Scouts the opportunity to achieve the rank of First Class within a year.

Four Steps in Scout Advancement

Advancement is a simple matter when the four steps outlined below are observed and integrated into troop programming.

The Scout Learns – Scouts learn by doing, and as they learn, they grow in their ability to do their part as a member of the patrol and troop. As they develop knowledge and skill, he they are asked to teach others; and in this way they learn and develop leadership.
The Scout Is Tested – The Scoutmaster authorizes those who may test and pass the Scout on rank requirements. These might include patrol leaders, the senior patrol leader, an assistant unit leader, a troop committee member, another Scout, or the Scoutmaster. Merit badge counselors teach and test the Scout on requirements for merit badges.
The Scout Is Reviewed – After completing all requirements for a rank, the Scout meets with a board of review. For Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life ranks, and Eagle Palms, members of the unit committee conduct the meeting. The Eagle Scout board of review is held in accordance with National Council and local council procedures.
The Scout Is Recognized – When the board of review has approved advancement, the Scout deserves recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next unit meeting. The certificate for the new rank may be presented later, during a formal court of honor.

It is important to remember that, in the end, a badge is not as much a reward for what the Scout has done, but recognition of what the young person is able to do and how he or she has grown.

Scouts BSA Advancement Resources

National Scouts BSA Program Updates: The latest announcements and updates from the National Council on the Scouts BSA program
Unit Eagle Mentor Training (University of Scouting 2025)
New Scouts’ Path To First Class: A Troop Program (University of Scouting 2025)

Older Resources

Intro to the Guide to Advancement: Powerpoint (University of Scouting, 2021)
District Advisor Eagle Project Approvals (University of Scouting, 2021)
The Merit Badge Program and Blue Card instructions

Cub Scout Advancement

Cub Adventure Program Resources

National Cub Scout Program Updates – The latest announcements and updates from the National Council on the Cub Scout program
2024 Cub Scout Updates – PPC Brochure
Patriots’ Path Council Webelos to Scout Transition Plan
Cub Scout Leader Position-Specific Training

The Role of the Pack Committee

The responsibility for Cub Scout advancement administration belongs to a pack committee. The pack committee collects den advancement reports, compiles and maintains them in pack records, reports advancement to the council using Internet Advancement, purchases awards and ensures their presentation, and helps plan and facilitate various ceremonies. The committee may also recommend special pack activities that lead to greater levels of achievement.

Who Approves Cub Scout Advancement?

A key responsibility for den leaders is to implement the core den meeting plans as outlined in the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide, No. 34409. For Wolf, Bear, and Webelos advancement, den leaders take the lead in approving requirements, with help from their assistants and parents or guardians who are asked to assist at meetings. Parents sign for requirements that, according to meeting plans and instructions in the handbooks, take place at home. For the Bobcat trail and Tiger Cub achievements, parents (or adult partners) should sign in the Cub’s handbook; the den leader then approves as progress is recorded in the den’s advancement record.

Standard is “Do Your Best”

Advancement performance in Cub Scouting is centered on its motto: “Do Your Best.” When a youth has done this—their very best—then, regardless of the requirements for any rank or award, it is enough; accomplishment is noted. This is why den leaders, assistants, and parents or guardians are involved in approvals. Generally they know if effort put forth is really the Cub Scout’s best.

Venturing

Venturing Program & Awards

Venturing is for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years old, or who are 13 and have completed the eighth grade. Its purpose is to build character, promote citizenship, and develop personal and mental fitness. Each Venturing crew is responsible for achieving these aims by designing a program that appeals to its members. The purpose of the Venturing awards program is to facilitate these four goals; provide a pathway for personal development; encourage learning; growth and service; and recognize high levels of achievement.

Advancement is accomplished when an active program emphasizes it and pays attention to the four steps of the process: preparation, learning, qualification, and recognition. Bronze, Gold, and Silver are the awards for the advancement track. Other awards can be earned.

For detailed requirements and more information on Venturing advancement or recognition, see the Venturer/Ranger Handbook, No. 33494; Sea Scout Manual, No. 33239; Quest Handbook, No. 33151; TRUST Handbook, No. 33154; and Venturing Leader Manual, No. 34655. Except in Sea Scouts, Venturers work on awards, not ranks, and they can choose to work along with others in a crew or go it alone.

They may also work simultaneously on the Bronze, Gold, and Silver awards; there are time-oriented requirements, but not between the earning of one award to the next. The Gold and Silver awards require a crew review. There is no council or district involvement, except perhaps guidance on best practices. All work for the awards must be completed before the member’s 21st birthday, but the review may be held after that date.