Advancement News

September-October 2015 Advancement News 1

Previous issues are available at www.scoung.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/advancement_news.aspx

Opportunities for Advancement Administrators

Florida Sea Base —Advancement Treasure Hunt

Mechanics of Advancement: January 10-16, 2016

Ahoy, Scouters! Are you struggling with understanding how advancement should

work, how to help youth succeed, or how to assist units to achieve proper and eec-

ve advancement? The answers to these golden quesons—and so many others, such

as “Does it snow in the Keys in the winter?”—are just waing to be discovered at the

Florida Sea Base Conference Center this coming January.

The Mechanics of Advancement curriculum that will be

presented January 10-16, is for all advancement person-

nel, but is parcularly directed at those who are new to

advancement or are in need of some refreshing. The goal

of this conference-style course is to create an advance-

ment environment in districts and councils that will in-

crease their rates of advancement and retenon through

proper advancement administraon.

Connued on page 2

Advancement News

September-October

2015

Vol. 5, No. 5

 Opportunies for Advancement Administrators: Florida

Sea Base—Advancement Treasure Hunt; Report from

Philmont Training Center: Conference Highlights

 On Increasing Advancement: Boy Scout Requirements

Changes Begin January 1, 2016; What’s Changing?

 The Cub Scout Angle: A Cub Scout’s Adventure—It Sll

Begins with Bobcat

 Eagle Issues: Avoiding Appeals and Extensions

 Merit Badges - Enhancing Our Youth’s Compeve

Edge: Using the New Digital Merit Badge Pamphlets;

Best Pracces for Approving Merit Badge Counselors;

Using Web-based Tools in Merit Badge Instrucon

 From the Field: A Tesmonial—Training Opportunies

Make a Big Dierence; Don’t Miss Out on These Great

Training Opportunies in 2016!

 From the Archives: The Cub Scout Angle: The Inverted

Percentage (October 2011)

 A Peek Ahead: What Is Planned for November-

December

 Helpful Links

In This Issue

September-October 2015 Advancement News 2

Connued from page 1

Every signicant aspect of advancement, from Cub Scouts to Sea Scouts, lies “buried” in the curriculum,

which will be presented by members of the Naonal Advancement Commiee and Naonal Advancement

Advisory Panel, who can be expected to bring more “treasures” from their own experiences, as well as the

very latest updates on advancement issues and trends.

So, what are you waing for? Make plans now to aend this fun and excing opportunity. Informaon about

the conference center, which also will be oering a very excing spouse program during the week of January

10-16, 2016, is available at www.bsaseabase.org/seabase.aspx. Don’t miss this chance to dig for advance-

ment treasures in the Florida Keys in January!

Report from Philmont Training Center, June 7-13, 2015:

CEAA Highlights

In the July-August edion, Advancement News shared photos of the Conference on Educaon for Advance-

ment Administrators (CEAA) held in June at the Philmont Training Center. The “rest of the story” is now in,

and it conrms those early reports: the CEAA was a huge success!

While the conference’s parcipants immersed themselves in serious discussions about many aspects of ad-

vancement, there were some addional highlights noted by aendees. On Monday evening and Tuesday

morning, CEAA aendees conducted the training center’s ag ceremonies, seng the standard for the other

conferences for the remainder of the week. On Tuesday, the Naonal Venturing President addressed all con-

ference aendees and answered quesons. On Thursday morning, CEAA welcomed instructors from other

conferences who provided updates on their areas of experse. On Thursday aernoon, CEAA took a eld trip

to the Rocky Mountain Scout Camp to be inspired by a beauful part of the ranch.

All parcipants indicated that they were likely to recommend this conference to others once they returned

home. A sampling of responses includes:

“The advancement course at PTC was informave and upli-

ing. I came away feeling so much more prepared to fulll

my posion to help more youth succeed.”

“I totally enjoyed my experience at the PTC. The advance-

ment training was very informave and the sta was very

supporve. I will denitely let others know that this is a

worthwhile use of their me.”

“I can’t believe I waited so long to make it to Philmont!!! It

was great to be able to contribute to naonal projects

while at the same me learning so much.”

September-October 2015 Advancement News 3

On Increasing Advancement

Boy Scout Rank Requirement Changes Begin January 1, 2016

With all the recent “buzz” about the new Cub Scout rank changes, some may have missed that at the begin-

ning of next year, Boy Scout rank requirements will also undergo changes.

What’s Changing?

Scout Badge Becomes Scout Rank

Beginning January 1, 2016, Scout becomes a rank and is no longer considered just a “joining badge.” As with

all other ranks, each requirement now must be completed as a member of a Boy Scout troop. The Scoutmas-

ter or designated leader must sign o each individual requirement as the boy demonstrates his knowledge

or skill. There is no board of review for Scout rank— the Scoutmaster conference is considered sucient

adult interacon at this introductory rank.

Service : The Scout Oath in Acon

In keeping with the Scout Oath and “helping other people at all mes,” service is now a requirement at each

Boy Scout rank except for Scout rank – one hour at Tenderfoot, two hours at Second Class, and three hours

at First Class. The total hours for Star and Life remain the same at six hours each. But half of the hours for

Life rank must now be conservaon-related, emphasizing the importance of stewardship of the earth.

Connued on page 4

When/Who?

The new Boy Scout rank requirements become eecve on January 1, 2016, subject to these transion

guidelines:

 Boys registered in a troop on or prior to December 31, 2015, who are working on Tenderfoot through First Class may

connue to work using the old requirements through 2016, but they must convert to the new requirements upon

aaining First Class.

 Boys registered in a troop, team, crew, or ship, who have completed First Class rank on or prior to December 31, 2015,

may complete the rank they are currently working on with the old requirements through 2016, but then must convert

to the new requirements for subsequent ranks.

 Any boy registering in a troop for the rst me on or aer January 1, 2016, must use the new requirements.

 Beginning January 1, 2017, new requirements must be used for all ranks earned.

September-October 2015 Advancement News 4

Connued from page 3

Scout Spirit and Duty to God: It’s a Monologue, Not a Dialogue

Scout spirit requirements are not meant to require a discussion or a two-way conversaon about duty to

God. The boy is simply to “tell” how he believes he has done his duty to God as dened by him and his

family. The troop leader’s role is to listen. The intent is for the Scout to have a self-reecon about belief

and reverence, for expression by the Scout to his leader.

Physical Fitness: Developing Lifelong Habits

New requirements in Tenderfoot through First Class ranks are designed to encourage physical acvity as a

lifelong habit. Boys are challenged to set goals and work toward achieving them. This might include addi-

onal exercise or incorporang requirements for earning merit badges that encourage physical acvity.

Troop programs can make tness acvies a regular part of their program plan—which could lead to even

higher goals, such as the SCOUTStrong program or the Presidenal Acve Lifestyle Award (PALA).

Camping: Learning in the Great Outdoors

Although the number of troop or patrol acvies remains the same (10 total for First Class), the number

of campouts required has doubled – one for Tenderfoot, two more for Second Class, and three more for

First Class – for a total of six campouts. This increase will help ensure that First Class Scouts have sucient

camping experience to have developed and improved upon the outdoor skills that Scoung promotes.

Navigaon: Using Handheld GPS Units

Some navigaon requirements allow the opon of using a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone,

or other electronic navigaon system. Map and compass requirements are sll included as Scouts should

“be prepared” for situaons where electronic systems are not available. However, Scoung wants to

train Scouts to use their resources, including electronic ones, safely and appropriately.

Program Updates Web Page

Watch the Program Updates web page for “Frequently Asked Quesons”

about the new Boy Scout requirements. Submit your own quesons at

advancement.team@scoung.org. The FAQs will be updated periodically

as new quesons arrive.

www.scoung.org/programupdates

September-October 2015 Advancement News 5

About

Advancement News

Follow the Naonal Advancement Team on Twier! BSA Advancement Team, @AdvBSA

Advancement News is the ocial e-leer of the Boy Scouts of America Naonal Advancement Team and the Naonal Ad-

vancement Commiee. Its intent is to provide and clarify procedures found in the Guide to Advancement, announce various

changes and updates in advancement, and to assist advancement commiees in making decisions that can help increase the

rate of advancement. Therefore, districts and councils may reprint arcles from this publicaon. Our plan is to distribute six

issues of Advancement News annually, but special edions may go out whenever there is important informaon to share.

Feedback, suggesons, and leers to the editor are welcome at advancement.team@scoung.org.

The Cub Scout Angle

A Cub Scout’s Adventure—It Still Begins With Bobcat

The new Cub Scout advancement program includes many excing new adventures and

many related advancement requirements, but one thing has not changed, even if the

requirements have—a boy’s personal adventure starts by earning the Bobcat badge.

Cub Scouts now use the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The rst two Bobcat requirements are

1. Learn and say the Scout Oath, with help if needed.

2. Learn and say the Scout Law, with help if needed.

Note that each of these requirements ends with the phrase “with help if need-

ed.” Remember the Cub Scout moo is sll “Do Your Best.” This means that it is

allowable to coach a boy as he recites the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Com-

pleng these two requirements should be an inving, fun experience. This is the

start of the youth’s Scoung journey. Understanding and perfecon will come

with me. The new Cub Scout will recite the Scout Oath and Scout Law hun-

dreds, if not thousands, of mes before he hopefully one day recites them at his

Eagle Scout court of honor.

By making this rst Bobcat requirement a me of welcoming for our new Cub

Scout, “with help if needed,” let us make sure we begin his Scoung journey

with the joy of accomplishment not the stress of perfect performance. Our pur-

pose is to insll the ideals of Scoung embodied in the Oath and Law so that

they become a lifeme character beacon for our young Cub Scout. In this way

we will get the opportunity over me to inuence the character of the boy so

that the man will embody the Oath and Law as a part of his life. Now, isn’t that

what we’re all about?

September-October 2015 Advancement News 6

Eagle Issues

Avoiding Appeals and Extensions

While processes are in place for subming Eagle Scout rank appeals and me exten-

sions, it is always best to avoid these situaons, whenever possible.

In the past, appeals oen resulted from a Scoutmaster’s refusal to grant a unit leader

conference or to sign the Eagle Scout Rank Applicaon. Others occurred when the unit

or the project beneciary refused to sign nal approval for the Eagle Scout service project. Fortunately, ap-

peals for these reasons have sharply declined since the publicaon of the Guide to Advancement in 2011,

and, with subsequent updates of the GTA, have become increasingly rare.

Not so rare are appeals where a Scout is denied advancement at his Eagle Scout board of review. In some

cases, the denial is warranted; in others, it is not. The best way to ensure the appropriate decision is

reached is to educate board members on proper board of review procedures, as explained in GTA, Secon

8. This instrucon may help avoid situaons leading to appeals--such as contenons that board members

did not follow proper procedures or that boards denied advancement for reasons not directly related to

rank requirements.

The best way to avoid extension requests is to communicate regularly with the youth and develop with him

a meline for compleng remaining requirements. Some Scouts may sll, however, nd themselves unable

to complete all requirements before their 18th birthdays. Unexpected circumstances (such as sickness, inju-

ry, or family crisis) may arise. Or already recognized circumstances might be aggravated by other issues to

the point where the Scout may not be able to complete all requirements in me.

Each case should be examined on its own merits. Before proceeding with an extension request, consider

carefully the provisions of GTA topic 9.0.4.0, which explains the criteria for evaluang a request. For exam-

ple, a request might cite “adult error” as the reason why an extension is necessary. In cases where this

translates into "Nobody told me" or "I didn't know," the BSA assumes that any Scout working on Eagle rank

has a Boy Scout Handbook and has read and understands the requirements.

In summary, the best way to help a Scout to

avoid these situaons is for involved adults to

read the Guide to Advancement, subscribe to

Advancement News, aend training and

roundtables, and keep up-to-date on ad-

vancement requirements—aer which they

should make sure that they and every Scout

with whom they are involved carefully read

the Boy Scout Handbook.

September-October 2015 Advancement News 7

Merit Badges: Enhancing Our Youth’s Competitive Edge

Usin g the New Digital Merit Badge Pamphlets

New digital merit badge pamphlets promise to put advancement at a

Scout’s ngerps with a mere keystroke. With innovaon comes the

concern that Scouts will lose the “hands on” experience that most

merit badges oer. Since this new technology will soon become an

opon for some merit badges, we need to be aware of the guidelines

for its use in order to beer counsel our Scouts as they work on merit

badges.

 The introducon of this new format will be gradual. Expect to see

the Eagle-required merit badge pamphlets to appear rst in digi-

tal format, accompanied by a few oponal ones, such as Photog-

raphy, Animaon, and Robocs.

 Digitally formaed pamphlets will not replace the tradional

ones, but will be available in addion to the printed copy current-

ly sold at your local Scout service center or trading post. Merit

badge pamphlets in both print and digital formats will be availa-

ble through the BSA Naonal Supply Group (www.scoutstu.org).

 Digitally formaed pamphlets, while including all of the infor-

maon found in the printed versions, will also incorporate videos,

links to related websites, interacve acvies, and many other

subject maer-related enhancements not available in the stand-

ard merit badge pamphlet.

 All merit badge requirements are wrien—and will connue to

be wrien—so they can be completed using only the material

contained in the printed pamphlet. Any resource, link, or en-

hancement found in a digital pamphlet—or used in conjuncon

with a printed pamphlet, for that maer—should be considered

“bonus” material, and as such, cannot be required viewing for any

Scout. While the merit badge experience is enriched by oering

these digital resources, counselors cannot add any addional re-

quirements or “homework” because of its availability. Although

most of our Scouts have moved into the digital-electronic era in

school, not all Scouts have availability to “smart” phones and de-

vices, or even access to the Internet, at home.

So click away. To nd more informaon or order digital merit badges:

www.scoutstu.org/bsa/literature-media/interacve-digital.html.

Which merit

badges are currently

available in the

digital format?

The remaining Eagle-required merit

badges are expected to be availa-

ble later in 2015.

Robocs Personal Fitness

Animaon

First Aid Family Life

Digital Technology

Communicaon

Cooking

Robocs Personal Fitness

September-October 2015 Advancement News 8

Are requests to become merit badge counselors automacally approved?

One of the responsibilies of the council advancement commiee is to “see to an eecve merit badge pro-

gram administered at either council or district level that funcons according to naonal procedures and re-

cruits, approves, trains, and makes known sucient counselors to meet the needs of the council” (GTA,

3.0.0.1, #11). So not everyone who applies to counsel a specic merit badge is necessarily approved.

For starters, all merit badge counselors must meet the basic qualicaons (GTA, 7.0.1.1):

 Be at least 18 years old and of good character.

 Be registered with the Boy Scouts of America (posion code 42).

 Complete Youth Protecon Training.

 Be recognized as having the skills and educaon in the merit badge subjects covered and hold any

required qualicaons and training as outlined in the Guide to Safe Scoung or the Guide to Advance-

ment—or use others so qualied.

 Be able to work with Scout-age boys.

 Complete a Merit Badge Counselor Informaon form (www.scoung.org/lestore/pdf/34405.pdf).

The intent of the merit badge program is for Scouts to learn from those with an appropriate level of exper-

se. Everyone who applies may have good intenons, but do they actually possess the appropriate level of

experse?

In its role of approving merit badge counselors, the council advancement commiee has the authority to de-

cide what constutes an appropriate level of experse, and even to establish a higher minimum level of skills

and educaon for any given merit badge (GTA, 7.0.1.1). For example, a council might

During the 2015 CEAA at Philmont, parcipants discussed “Best Pracces” for various advancement topics.

We now share the thoughts of those experienced Scouters with the hope that their eorts will be helpful to

your councils or districts.

Managing Subscriptions to

Advancement News

Advancement News is designed for council and district advancement commiees, advancement sta advisors, and Eagle pro-

cessors. However, any Scoung volunteer or professional may subscribe.

Subscribing. Send a message to advancement.team@scoung.org, with “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject line. Indicate your name,

email address, and council in the message text.

Unsubscribing. To decline future issues please reply and enter “REMOVE” in the subject line. We will remove the subscripon

within the next two weeks.

Receiving Mulple Copies. If you receive Advancement News at more than one email address, choose the one to be removed

and reply with “REMOVE” in the subject line. Include a message requesng that we remove only that email address.

Duplicate Copies. If you receive more than one coy of Advancement News at the same email address, please reply to all but

one of them with “DUPLICATE” in the subject line.

Address Change. If you want Advancement News sent to a dierent address, reply and enter “ADDRESS CHANGE” in the sub-

ject line. In your message, enter your council name and the email address you prefer.

Connued on page 9

Best Practices: Approving Merit Badge Counselors

September-October 2015 Advancement News 9

require that a counselor for the Animal Science or Pets merit badge be a veterinarian.

Councils have authority to restrict the number of merit badges that an individual is approved to counsel

(GTA, 7.0.1.4 ). This could result in an individual being denied when applying to counsel addional merit

badges.

How does a council go about approving an individual as a merit badge counselor?

The process begins with the individual subming a BSA adult applicaon with posion code 42. This appli-

caon must be submied even if the individual is registered in another BSA posion. A Merit Badge Counse-

lor Informaon Form (No. 34405, www.scoung.org/advancement) should be aached to the applicaon,

indicang the individual’s interests and qualicaons supporng the request.

The council advancement commiee is responsible for reviewing merit badge counselor applicaons for

both basic qualicaons and experse. An understanding should be established between the council ad-

vancement commiee and council registrar on the handling of merit badge counselor applicaons and how

the district or council will be noed. A mutually agreed upon process will help ensure that individuals are

approved prior to being ocially entered into ScoutNet.

The applicaon review process may be delegated to an individual or a group of individuals at either the

council or district level. Reviewers must understand the requirements of the merit badge being considered,

including any required training or cercaons (GTA, 7.0.1.0). Upon approval, the applicaon package is re-

turned to the council service center for background check and BSA registraon entry. A procedure for track-

ing cercaons and nocaon of expired cercaons should also be instuted. Establish a method to

nofy the individual of the decision, whether approved or not.

Connued from page 8

Using Web-based Tools in Merit Badge Instruction

In recent years, Scoung has experienced an increased presence of online merit badge courses. While the

wonders of today’s technology can make this an appealing method to many Scouts, care must be taken to

ensure the integrity of the merit badge process.

These web-based resources can be helpful when there is no local subject maer experse available, liming

a Scout’s ability to earn a merit badge that interests him. However, digital instrucon, including online

workshops, should never constute a Scout’s primary merit badge experience. Instead, under the guidance

of a qualied merit badge counselor, digital experiences should enhance or broaden his merit badge experi-

ence.

As with any type of merit badge group instrucon, the guidelines presented in Guide to Advancement, topic

7.0.3.2, must be followed. Specic procedures for using Web-based tools in advancement are established

by the council advancement commiee in compliance with naonal procedures (GTA, 3.0.0.1, #15). Some

examples of acons a council might consider:

Connued on page 10

September-October 2015 Advancement News 10

Connued from page 9

 Merit badge instrucon is not to be confused with merit badge counseling. When employing web-

based technology, instrucon should be followed up by a counseling session during which the Scout

interacts face-to-face with a merit badge counselor to demonstrate his knowledge or skills. In many

situaons, both roles can be fullled by the same person, but it is dicult for the interacon to be suc-

cessful when it’s aempted in the same session.

 Counselors oering web-based instrucon are approved by the council from which the instrucon

originates. Establish procedures for approving and monitoring merit badge counselors in your council

who oer their services online. If a counselor is operang from another council, determine how to

conrm with registraon in the home council, as well as approval for the merit badges they counsel

(GTA, 5.0.8.0).

 Create a council list of merit badges appropriate for web-based instrucon.

 Develop and conduct training at the council level for anyone hosng an online class to assure stand-

ardizaon and quality control, as well as compliance to BSA youth protecons and social media guide-

lines. (GTA, 5.0.8.0)

 Set limits on the class size of web-based sessions. Patrol-size is oen best. Avoid conducng large ses-

sions that can inhibit the ability of the instructor to interact with Scouts.

 Produce guidelines for technology- or Web-based merit badge instrucon that places the actual

tesng in a personal seng (GTA, 5.0.8.0). Use of workbooks is not to be required in lieu of personal

interacon (GTA, 7.0.4.8).

 Any fee charged should be limited to recovering the costs related to presenng the opportunity (GTA,

7.0.4.10).

The preferred merit badge experience is direct, face-to-face interacon that takes place between a

Scout and his merit badge counselor, whose adult example is one of the key methods of Scoung. The

use of digital instrucon, interacve or not, should be the excepon, not the rule, in a Scout’s advance-

ment journey. Online courses should be limited and monitored to ensure that web-based instrucon

does not become an easy way for Scouts to complete the greatest number of merit badges.

In all aspects of technology-based advancement, both adults and youth must

adhere to BSA Youth Protecon guidelines (www.scoung.org/Training/

youthprotecon) as well as BSA Social Media Guidelines (www.scoung.org/

Markeng/Resources/SocialMedia)

The Cyber Chip program is also a crical tool in the protecon of our youth.

See www.scoung.org/cyberchip.

September-October 2015 Advancement News 11

From the Field

A Testimonial—Training Opportunities Make a Big Difference

“Aer serving as council advancement chair for two years, I decided to aend Philmont Training Center. I

parcipated in the Mechanics of Advancement conference, which led parcipants through the 2011 Guide

to Advancement.

“It was such a good experience that my husband and I headed back to Philmont the following year to aend

the Advancement Issues and Soluons conference. This conference was designed to analyze, discuss, and

solve real case studies similar to those faced by the Naonal Advancement Commiee. It was easy to relate

to many of the examples. Since the council in which I serve is one of the largest in the naon, just about eve-

rything you can imagine is seen—and more!

“What was really eye-opening was the Conference on Educaon for Advancement Administrators (CCEA),

held at the Florida Sea Base in January of 2014 and 2015. Parcipants were organized into teams, each given

the opportunity to preview and evaluate volunteer-designed and developed materials on topics from the

Guide to Advancement. Teams then iniated the development and update of new advancement resources to

help fellow Scouters present the advancement program as it is intended.

“When aending these conferences, I try to internalize what is taught, nong the changes that might help

my home council. Lots of thought and prayer goes into how to implement those changes. Then, once back

home, comes the work to make the improvements! These changes have helped strengthen the unity of our

council advancement commiee, which now works more as a team than ever before.

“You also can make Scoung beer in your council by comming to aend Philmont Training Center or

Florida Sea Base conferences in order to provide the best possible program for the youth in your care. To-

gether everyone can make a bigger dierence!”

Have you seen an impact on a boy or a young man or woman as a result of an experience in the advance-

ment program? Please send your story to advancement.team@scoung.org. Provide your name, email,

and general locaon so we may contact you if we have quesons. No guarantees, but you just might see

your story here.

Don’t Miss Out on These Great Training

Opportunities in 2016!

The Philmont Training Center schedule of conferences for

next summer is available now at

www.philmontscoutranch.org/PTC.aspx. Download a digital

copy of the 2016 conference brochure now, or visit your lo-

cal council service center for a copy. (Hint: If you cannot get

to the Mechanics of Advancement course at the Florida Sea

Base in January, check out the PTC’s schedule for the week

of June 12-18!)

September-October 2015 Advancement News 12

From the Archives

Earlier in this edion, we were reminded that the new Cub Scout program includes many excing new ad-

ventures and many related advancement requirements, but one thing has not changed, even if the re-

quirements have—a boy’s personal adventure starts by making Bobcat. As pointed out in the following

arcle, this is precisely where the eorts of advancement commiees at every level should be focused if

that boy is to make Eagle Scout someday.

The Cub Scout Angle: The Inverted Percentage (October, 2011)

Many council and district advancement commiees spend most of their eorts on Boy Scout advance-

ment and especially Eagle Scout issues. This is understandable; the processes are involved. When consid-

ering the percentage of Cub Scout membership, however, we nd what some would call “the inverted

percentage”: The vast majority of the advancement commiee’s me is spent meeng the needs of a very

small percentage of our membership.

Each year, about 5 or 6 percent of Boy Scouts and Varsity Scout—less than 2 percent of the total tradion-

al membership of the BSA—earn Eagle Scout rank. However, Cub Scouts make up 60 percent of that total

tradional membership. It would make sense then, that 60 percent of advancement commiee eorts go

to building Cub Scoung advancement—or if not that level, then at least signicantly more than is now

spent. This would contribute enormously to the retenon of Cub Scouts, and since most Boy Scouts transi-

on from Cub Scoung, we should see more Boy Scouts, and eventually more Eagle Scouts.

There are a number of ways to address the inverted percentage and support Cub Scout advancement to

the degree it warrants. Here are just a few ideas.

 Develop a clear understanding of “Unit Advancement Responsibilies,” secon 3.0.0.3 in the Guide to

Advancement. For Cub Scoung, the most important responsibility may be No. 2, “Educate parents,

guardians, unit leadership, and commiee members in ways to smulate and encourage advance-

ment.”

 Iniate communicaon with Cub Scout packs, and develop relaonships with pack advancement coor-

dinators. Some of them may be candidates for the council or district advancement commiee, and

could lead the charge in helping packs fulll their responsibilies.

 Keep Eagle issues in perspecve.

The Cub Scout

Learning Library

Check it out at

www.cubscouts.org.

Currently includes den

meeng plans for all required

and elecve adventures.

September-October 2015 Advancement News 13

Hear It First on Twitter

If you want the news rst, follow the Naonal Advancement Team on Twier. Topics cover the FAQs re-

ceived at the naonal oce, claricaons on policies and procedures, news on changes and new releases,

and best pracces in advancement.

If you already have a Twier account, follow us at @AdvBSA or BSA Advancement Team. If you do not, it is

me to take the plunge. Seng up an account is a quick and easy process at www.twier.com. To limit

incoming emails (‘tweets‘), you can select BSA Naonal Advancement Team as the only account you want

to follow.

Note: Advancement quesons should be directed to advancement.team@scoung.org.

Did You Receive these Tweets?

 June 17 - Now posted: Eagle Scout Service Project Coach Applicaon, for oponal use by councils.

www.scoung.org/advancement

 June 26—What counts as a "camping night" for the Camping merit badge?

blog.scoungmagazine.org/2015/06/24/ask-expert-isnt-camping-night-camping-mb/

 July 1—Understanding the Scoutmaster conference: scoungmagazine.org/2014/12/understanding-

scoutmaster-conference/

 July 3 - New 2016 Boy Scout requirements are now posted at www.scoung.org/programupdates.

 July 7 - Just a reminder... Summer months count toward advancement me requirements.

blog.scoungmagazine.org/2014/07/31/one-scoutmaster-says-advancement-me-pauses-summer-bsa-says

 July 17 - What if my Scout can't complete the First Class swim test? blog.scoungmagazine.org/2014/03/10/ask

-the-expert-what-if-my-scout-cant-compete-the-rst-class-swim-test/

 August 15 - Tune into the August edion of Scoutcast to hear about the 2016 Boy Scout program updates:

www.scoung.org/Scoutcast/Scoutcast/2015.aspx

 September 4 - Are you looking for den meeng plans for the new Cub Scout adventures? Check out the Cub

Scout Learning Library: hps://cubscouts.org

A Peek Ahead

Here is a glimpse of what we are working on for the next issue of Advancement News. As always, actual

content may vary somewhat based on a number of consideraons, especially to accommodate “late-

breaking news” of immediate importance to our subscribers.

Topics Planned for November-December

Opportunies for Advancement Administrators: Florida Sea Base—Mechanics of Advancement: January 10-16

From the Guide to Advancement: Secon 8: Boards of Review

The Cub Scout Angle: Cub Scout Learning Library

September-October 2015 Advancement News 14

Helpful Links

Here are some links to the most current materials of interest for Scouters who are involved in the ad-

ministraon of advancement. These and many more resources are available via the Advancement Re-

sources web page at www.scoung.org/advancement.

Advancement Educaonal Presentaons:

 Cub Scout Advancement: Delivering Adventure

 Geng the Most From Internet Advancement

• The Essenals of Merit Badge Counseling (English and Spanish)

• The Eagle Scout Service Project Coach (English and Spanish)

• Eecve Troop Advancement (English and Spanish)

• Including Scouts With Disabilies

 Videocasts on Guide to Advancement, selected topics

 Introducon to the Guide to Advancement

 Judgment Calls

 Boards of Review

 Boards of Review Under Disputed Circumstances

 Boards of Review Appeals

 The Eagle Scout Applicaon Process

 Eagle Scout Boards of Review

 Videos

 On Increasing Advancement

 Why Advancement?

 Guardian of the Gate

Guide to Advancement 2015

Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

Navigating the Eagle Scout Service Project: Information for Project Beneficiaries

Eagle Scout Service Project Coach Application NEW!

Eagle Scout Rank Application

Merit Badge Counselor Information

Reporting Merit Badge Concerns

Venturing Summit Award Service Project Workbook

Venturing Board of Review Guide

Individual Scout Achievement Plan

Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook