Attendance:

    Scouts are encouraged to attend as many Troop meetings and activities, as

possible. We understand that there may be conflicts with church, family, school,

sports, and other activities from time to time and that boys get sick. There aren’t

standards for how many meetings, campouts and other activities a Scout must

attend to be considered “active.” But the better a Scout’s attendance, the quicker

he advances, the more he accomplishes, and the more enjoyable and successful

his Scouting experience will be. Scouts who have not attended meetings for six

months will be assumed to have left the Troop, won't be rechartered in December,

and forfeit their Scout Account balances.

    Advancement is an integral part of the Scouting program that provides

recognition for individual effort and accomplishment as well as a measure of

acquired proficiency in basic skills. Requirements for advancement are described

in the Boy Scout Handbook and other Scout literature. Both Scout and parent

should be familiar with requirements. The Scoutmasters, Advancement Chair, and

other adult leaders can answer questions about advancement.

Advancement is a three- part obligation of:

 The adult leaders of the Troop to provide guidance and opportunity.

 The Scout to take the initiative and to work towards rank advancement.

 The parents to encourage Scouts to work towards rank advancement.

    We make every effort possible to help your son advance in rank. Troop

meetings and campouts provide the experiences needed to earn ranks of Scout,

Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.

    The ranks of Star, Life and Eagle require Scouts to earn specified number

of merit badges, hold a position of leadership in the Troop, and perform

community service. There are more than 100 merit badges available. Troop

leadership has a list of current merit badge booklets and counselors. In addition

to the Metro Lakes District merit badge counselor list, there’s a list of counselors

within the Troop.

    You should periodically review your son’s advancement and consult with

the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster, or an Assistant Advancement Chair

about any concerns or questions. You can do this by looking at your Scout’s

Handbook, checking the advancement chart on the wall, or talking to the Troop’s

Advancement Chair. Although advancement isn’t required to stay active in

Scouting, it certainly helps.

    A Scoutmaster conference is required before earning any rank badges. The

purpose of the conference is for the Scoutmaster to review the requirements for

the rank with the Scout. The Scoutmaster also reviews the requirements for the

next rank and provides encouragement toward achieving it. A Scout should

schedule a conference as soon as he’s completed all other requirements for the

rank except the Board of Review. The Scoutmaster will let the Scout know if he’s

ready for a Board of Review. Scouts should bring their Handbooks to

Scoutmaster conferences and bring their Handbooks and wear their dress

uniform to Boards of Review. Please see Uniforms above.

    A Board of Review is required before earning any rank badge above Scout.

The Board is made up of at least three Troop Committee members, excluding the

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters, at least a majority of whom have

completed Board of Review training at the University of Scouting. Boards of

Review must be held at least one week before a Court of Honor. The current plan

is to schedule Boards of Review monthly on the night of the PLC and

Quartermaster meetings.

Requirements for a Scout coming before a Board of Review are as follows:

 Complete all requirements for the Rank (except the Board of Review).

 Wear dress Scout uniform (see Uniforms above), including neckerchief and

sash.

 Have his Boy Scout Handbook with all requirements for rank dated and

signed.

 Make sure that all requirements in his Boy Scout Handbook are

communicated to the Advancement Chair and are recorded by the

Advancement Chair in the Troop’s advancement database.

    The members of the Board of Review will ask your son about his past

achievements and his goals for the future in and out of Scouting, what he likes

and dislikes about Scouting and the Troop, and other questions broadly related

to the rank requirements. Rank and merit badges and other awards will be

recognized and presented at Courts of Honor, which are held periodically

throughout the year, usually about every three months.