Mechanics of Advancement

We follow the advancement processes as defined in the Guide to Advancement and implemented by our Scoutmaster.

Notably, unlike in Cub Scouts, parents do not sign off on their child’s work as they complete rank and merit badge requirements. It’s great for parents to encourage their Scout to record activities in their handbook and to seek out opportunities to participate in Scouts. Advancement should be a natural byproduct of participation in Scouting for Scouts who are interested in advancement.

Advancement Tracking

Troop 100 uses the Scouting America Scoutbook Plus platform track Rank Advancement, Merit Badges and is the official roster for the Troop.

Merit badges

Merit badges are required for advancement to the higher ranks (Star, Life and Eagle). There are over one hundred different merit badges for scouts to earn!. They vary widely in subject matter and in the level of difficulty. They are designed to: introduce scouts to possible career opportunities; teach scouts important knowledge and skills; to provide a strong character base to each scout’s education and training; and to provide recreation. Merit badges may be earned in any order and a scout does not have to attain a certain rank in order to work on badges. A few of the merit badges have age restrictions.
The process for earning a merit badge is defined in the Guide to Advancement and described by Scouting America. Briefly, to earn a Merit Badge, a Scout completes the following steps:
  1. The Scout should talk to the Scoutmaster about their interest in a Merit Badge. The Scoutmaster will remind the Scout about Youth Safety requirements, and encourage the buddy system. The Scoutmaster will also supply a list of Merit Badge Counselors.
  2. The Scout contacts a Merit Badge Counselor to ask if they’re available.
  3. The Scout works on Merit Badge Requirements
  4. The Scout meets with the Merit Badge Counselor to share and review their work
  5. When the counselor is satisfied that the Scout has met each requirement, he or she will sign your application (this may be done digitally via Scoutbook). The Scout should give the signed application their Scoutmaster or other designated adult so the merit badge emblem can be secured and awarded at the next Court of Honor.