Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures WW330880

The Westchester-Putnam Council explicitly subscribes to all Advancement policies and procedures established by the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America, which are published in the official Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures manual.

All advancement issues or questions regarding Advancement can usually be answered through this manual.

This manual can be obtained the Council Scout Shop for less than $5.

The following information summarizes the advancement policies in the Westchester-Putnam Council. They are based on the official Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures manual. If there are differences, the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures manual will take precedence. This information is provided for the convenience of our registered members and as an example and as a convenience to you. The Westchester-Putnam Council Advancement Committee strongly recommends that the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures manual be consulted for more details and information.

In addition, each district has an Advancement Committee, as does the Council. Please feel free to contact any of the District Advancement Chairmen or the Council Advancement Chairman with specific questions.

What is Advancement?
Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank in the Scouting program.

Advancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. Everything done to advance and earn these ranks, from joining until leaving the program, should be designed to help the young person have an exciting and meaningful experience.

Education and fun are functions of the Scouting movement, and they must be the basis of the advancement program.

A fundamental principle of advancement in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing is the growth a young person achieves as a result of his/her participation in unit program.

Advancement Principles
Council and district advancement committees implement procedures that help achieve the following 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, or Venturer 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.

A badge is recognition of what a young person is able to do, not merely a reward for what he or she has done. The badge is proof of certain abilities, and is not just a reward for the completion of a task.

Advancement encourages Scouting ideals. Scouting teaches a young person how to care for himself/herself and help others. Advancement should reflect the desire to live the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturing Oath in his/her daily life.

No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from any advancement requirements.

Advancement Rules and Regulations From National

ARTICLE X. PROGRAM (ADVANCEMENT) - RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 1
General Principles
Clause 1. Education is the chief function of the Scouting movement and it shall be the basis of the advancement program. A fundamental principle of advancement shall be that the boy's progress is a natural outcome of his activities in his unit. The rank requirements in these phases of the Scouting program, as set forth in the official publications, shall furnish the basis of the activities of the unit.

a. In Cub Scouting, recognition is earned in the home and neighborhood by completing certain achievements related to simple skills, habits, ideals, and hobbies.

b. In Boy Scouting, recognition is gained through leadership in the troop, attending and participating in its activities, living the ideals of Scouting, and proficiency in activities related to outdoor life, useful skills, and career exploration.

c. In Varsity Scouting, recognition is gained through leadership in the team, attending and participating in its activities, living the ideals of Varsity Scouting, and proficiency in activities related to outdoor life, useful skills, and career exploration.

d. In Venturing, recognition takes on a wider scope, involving the assumption of adultlike roles, identification with adult careers, and participation in community and citizenship responsibilities.

Administration
Clause 2. All advancement procedures shall be administered under conditions that harmonize with the aims and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America.

Cub Scout Advancement
Clause 3. Basis for Advancement. The Cub Scout advancement program shall be the basis for advancement. There shall be three steps in Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout advancement procedures: preparation, qualification, and recognition.

Clause 4. Ranks. There shall be the following ranks in Cub Scouting: Tiger Cub, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. The requirements shall be authorized by the Executive Board and set forth in official Cub Scout publications.

Boy Scout Advancement
Clause 5. Basis for Advancement. The Boy Scout requirements for ranks shall be the basis for the Scout's advancement. There shall be four steps in Boy Scout advancement procedure: learning, testing, reviewing, and recognition.

Clause 6. Ranks. There shall be the following ranks in Boy Scouting: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The requirements shall be those authorized by the Executive Board and set forth in official Scouting publications. Eagle Palms may also be awarded on the basis of requirements authorized by the Executive Board and set forth in official Scouting publications.

Clause 7. Responsibility of the Troop Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the troop committee, under the leadership and guidance of the local council, to make sure that the program of the troop is conducted in such a way that Scouts have an opportunity to advance on the basis of the four steps outlined in clause 5.

Varsity Scout Advancement
Clause 8. Basis for Advancement. The Boy Scout requirements for advancement shall be the basis for Varsity Scout advancement.

Clause 9. Responsibility of the Team Committee. It shall be the responsibility of the team committee, under the leadership and guidance of the local council, to make sure that the program of the team is conducted in such a way that Varsity Scouts have an opportunity to advance on the basis of the four steps outlined in clause 5.

Venturing Recognition
Clause 10. Basis for Advancement
a. The Venturing advancement program shall be the basis for the Venturer's advancement. There shall be four steps in Venturing advancement procedures: preparation, learning, qualification, and recognition.

b. A male Venturer who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a troop or as a Varsity Scout in a team may continue working toward the Eagle Award while a Venturer until his 18th birthday. There is no Venturing advancement route to qualify for the Eagle Award.

Clause 11. Ranks.
a. There shall be awards and ranks in Sea Scouts, BSA, the requirements for which shall be approved by the Executive Board as proposed by the Venturing Committee and set forth in Sea Scouting and Venturing publications.

b. With the exception of Sea Scouts. BSA, there are no ranks in the Venturing program.

Examination in Camps
Clause 12.
a. In special instances, where Scouts are attending educational or similar institutions and/or camps which give an intensive Scouting program, said institutions and camps may, upon application, be authorized by the Corporation to give the prescribed examinations and pass Scouts in such manner and with such special conditions as the facts presented (as to the facilities and leadership of the institution or camp) may, in the judgment of the Corporation, warrant.

b. Upon the recommendation of the Corporation, authority may be granted annually for the above privileges to Scout camps or camps conducted by authorized representatives of the Boy Scouts of America that submit evidence of maintaining the program standards, provided their programs have been approved by the Corporation. No exception shall be made to the time requirements to qualify for rank advancement or for the award of Eagle Palms.

Responsibility for Merit Badges
Clause 13. The responsibility for merit badges shall rest with the merit badge counselor approved by the local council and district advancement committee. Merit badge counselors shall be registered adult members of the Boy Scouts of America. The merit badge counselor shall prepare and qualify youth members. There shall be no board of review.

ARTICLE XI. (REGISTRATION)-RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 3
Special Types of Registration
Clause 19. Mentally Retarded or Severely Physically Handicapped Youth Members. In the discretion of the National Executive Board, and under such rules and regulations as it may prescribe upon consultation with appropriate medical authorities, registration of boys who are either mentally retarded or severely physically handicapped, including the blind, deaf, and emotionally disturbed, over age 11 as Cub Scouts and over age 18 as Boy Scouts, or Varsity Scouts, and registration of young adults who are either mentally retarded or severely physically handicapped, including the blind, deaf, and emotionally disturbed, over age 21 as Venturers, and the participation of each in the respective advancement programs while registered, is authorized.

Advancement for Youth Members With Special Needs
The following are the guidelines for membership and advancement in Scouting for persons having disabilities or other special needs.

ADA Definition of an Individual with a Disability
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides the following definition of an individual with a disability:
"An individual is considered to have a 'disability' if s/he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (e.g., seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for oneself, and working), has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

"An individual with epilepsy, paralysis, HIV infection, AIDS, a substantial hearing or visual impairment, mental retardation, or a specific learning disability, is covered, but an individual with a minor, nonchronic condition of short duration, such as a sprain, broken limb, or the flu would not be covered by the ADA.

"The ADA definition protects individuals with a record of a disability and would cover, for example, a person who has recovered from cancer or mental illness.

"And the ADA protects individuals who are regarded as having a substantially limiting impairment, even though they may not have such an impairment. For example. . . a qualified individual with a severe facial disfigurement is protected from being denied employment because an employer feared the 'negative reactions' of customers or co-workers."

The Department of Education identifies a severely handicapped child as one who, because of the intensity of his physical, mental, or emotional problems, or a combination of such problems, needs education, social, psychological, and medical services beyond those that have been offered by traditional regular and special educational programs, in order to maximize his full potential for useful and meaningful participation in society and for self-fulfillment. Such children include those classified as seriously emotionally disturbed or profoundly and severely mentally retarded, and those with two or more serious handicapping conditions, such as the mentally retarded blind, and the cerebral-palsied deaf.

Membership
The chartered organizations using Scouting determine, with approval of appropriate medical authorities, whether a youth member is qualified to register (based on the above definitions) beyond the normal registration age. The Cubmaster's signature on the Cub Scout Application, the Scoutmaster's signature on the Boy Scout Application, the Varsity Scout Coach's signature on the Varsity Scout Application, and the Advisor's or Skipper's signature on the Venturing Application, or the unit's charter renewal application certify the approval of the chartered organization for the person to register. The local council must approve these registrations on an individual basis.

The medical condition of all candidates for membership beyond the normal registration age must be certified by a physician licensed to practice medicine, or an evaluation statement must be certified by an educational administrator. Use the Personal Health and Medical Record Form. Any corrective measures, restrictions, limitations, or abnormalities must be noted. In the case of mentally retarded or emotionally disturbed candidates for membership, their condition must be certified a statement signed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. Current health, medical, or certification records of all youth members beyond the normal registration age who have disabilities are to be retained in the unit file at the council service center.

Advancement for Cub Scouts with Disabilities
The advancement program is so flexible that, with guidance, most boys can do the skills. It might take longer for a disabled boy to earn his awards, but he will appreciate them more by knowing he has made the effort. The standard for every boy is "Has he done his best?"

A Cub Scout who is physically disabled may be given permission by the Cubmaster and pack committee to substitute electives for achievement requirements that are beyond his abilities. It is best to include parents in this process of determining substitutions since they are most familiar with their son's abilities.

Immediate recognition of advancement is even more important for boys with disabilities. The Tiger Cub and Cub Scout Immediate Recognition Kits, the den doodle, and the Den Advancement Chart all help provide immediate recognition in den meetings as achievements and electives are completed. Remember that a month seems like a long time to a boy and that completing requirements for a badge might seem like forever to him. Be sure to give him periodic recognition at pack meetings when he earns a badge.

While leaders must be enthusiastic about helping youngsters with disabilities, they must at the same time fully recognize the special demands that will be made on their patience, understanding, and skill in teaching advancement requirements.

Advancement for Boy Scouts with Disabilities
All current requirements for an advancement award (ranks, merit badges, or Eagle Palms) must actually be met by the candidate. There are no substitutions or alternatives permitted except those which are specifically stated in the requirements as set forth in the current official literature of the Boy Scouts of America. Requests can be made for alternate rank requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class using the information outlined in this chapter. No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, any advancement requirements. The Scout is expected to meet the requirements as stated-no more and no less. Furthermore, he is to do exactly what is stated. If it says, "show or demonstrate," that is what he must do. Just telling about it isn't enough. The same thing holds true for such words as "make," "list," "in the field," and "collect, identify, and label."

Alternate Requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks
A Scout who has a permanent physical or mental disability and is unable to complete all of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank may submit a request to the council advancement committee to complete alternate requirements. Below are the procedures for applying for alternate requirements. To keep Scouts with disabilities as much in the advancement mainstream as possible, some advancement accommodations may be required. Thus, a Scout in a wheelchair can meet the requirements for hiking by making a trip to a place of interest in his community. Giving more time and permitting the use of special aids are other ways leaders can help Scouts with disabilities in their efforts to advance. The substitute should provide a similar learning experience. Bear in mind the outcome of the Scouting experience should be one of fun and learning, and not completing requirements for rank advancements, which might place unrealistic expectations on the special-needs Scout.

Step 1-Do As Many Standard Requirements As Possible.
Before applying for alternate requirements, the Scout must complete as many of the standard requirements as his ability permits. He must do his very best to develop himself to the limit of his abilities and resources.

Step 2-Secure a Medical Statement.
A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scout's disabilities must be submitted by a licensed health-care provider It must state that the disability is permanent and outline what physical activities the Scout may not be capable of completing. In the case of a mental disability, an evaluation statement should be submitted by a certified educational administrator relating the ability level of the Scout.

Step 3-Prepare a Request for Alternate Requirements.
A written request must be submitted to the Council Advancement Committee for the Scout to work on alternate requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. The request should include the standard requirements the Scout has completed and the suggested alternate requirements for those requirements the Scout cannot complete. This request should be detailed enough to give the advancement committee enough information to make a decision. The request should be prepared by the Scout, his parents, and his Scoutmaster. A copy of the medical statement in step 2 should be included.

Step 4-The Advancement Committee Reviews the Request.
The Council Advancement Committee should review the request, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouts with disabilities. The advancement committee may want to interview the Scout, the parents, and the leader to fully understand the request and to make a fair determination. The decision of the advancement committee should be recorded and delivered to the Scout and the Scoutmaster.

The Council Advancement Committee must then secure approval of the Council Executive Board. The Scout Executive must attach a letter to the application indicating that the Executive Board has approved the application. When applicable, the candidate's application for his award must be made on the Eagle Scout Rank Application or Quartermaster Award Application and also recorded on the Advancement Report form. In the application of these policies for Scouts with special needs, reasonable accommodation in the performance of requirements for advancement may be made. These may include such things as the extension of time, adaptation of facilities, or the use of equipment or necessary devices consistent with the known physical or mental limitations of the handicapped individual it is urged that common sense be employed.

Alternate Merit Badges for the Eagle Scout Rank
The Eagle Scout rank may be achieved by a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or qualified* Venturer who has a physical or mental disability by qualifying for alternate merit badges. This does not apply to individual requirements for merit badges. Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated.

Application for alternative Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges  [PDF, 17K]

The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent rather than temporary nature.

A clear and concise medical statement concerning the Scout's disabilities must be made by a physician licensed to practice medicine, or an evaluation statement must be certified by an educational administrator.

The candidate must earn as many of the required merit badges as his ability permits before applying for an alternate Eagle Scout rank merit badge.

The candidate must complete as many of the requirements of the required merit badges as his ability permits.

The Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges must be completed prior to qualifying for alternative merit badges.

The alternate merit badges chosen must be of such a nature that they are as demanding of effort as the required merit badges.

When alternates chosen involve physical activity, they must be approved by the physician.

The unit leader and board of review must explain that to attain the Eagle Scout rank, a candidate is expected to do his best in developing himself to the limit of his resources.

The application must be approved by the council committee responsible for advancement, utilizing the expertise of professional persons involved in Scouting for people with special needs.

The candidate's application for Eagle must be made on the Eagle Scout Rank Application, with the Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges attached.

In order for a Venturer to be an Eagle candidate, he must have achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout.

Certification
Certification must be given by the Council Advancement Committee that each Eagle Scout candidate over the age of 18 and Venturing award candidate over the age of 21 has met the requirements as stated in the current official literature of the Boy Scouts of America. A representative of the Council Advancement Committee must be a member of the Eagle board of review.  The Council Advancement Committee request that it be contacted at least 90 days prior to a Scout's 18th birthday if an age waiver is requested.

Woods Services Award
This annual award was established to recognize volunteers who have performed exceptional service and leadership in the field of Scouts with disabilities. Nomination forms are sent annually to councils every September with a December 31 deadline. One person is selected each spring for national recognition.

Torch of Gold Certificate
This is for local council use in recognizing adults for outstanding service to youth with disabilities. Order No. 33733.

Miscellaneous Topics

Extended Absence from Scouting
Many times Scouts become active again after dropping from other units because of other interests, moving within the community, or relocating to another part of the country. Youth who were members of a "dropped" unit also may become active again. A proper term for such a Scout is "separated-reregistered." When this happens, the tenure for a Scout's rank is often questioned. Upon re-registration, the youth should assume the last attained rank verified by documentation from the council service center. His previous verifiable service time in that rank applies toward qualification for the next rank and should commence with his re-registration and with guidelines set down by his new unit leader.

Youth of Other Nationalities
A youth from another country who either temporarily resides in, or has moved permanently to, the United States may join a BSA unit and participate in the BSA advancement program. He must present to the council service center available evidence of membership and advancement level from his previous association. Having done this, he then must appear before the district or council advancement committee with at least one member of the receiving unit committee present to review his previous advancement work and to determine which BSA rank he is qualified to receive. This policy applies to all ranks except Eagle Scout. The BSA rank of Eagle Scout cannot automatically be considered the equivalent of another association's highest rank. A Boy Scout who holds his association's highest rank could qualify for the rank of Life Scout, and the district or council advancement committee should prescribe certain merit badges for him to earn before consideration for the rank of Eagle Scout. He must also fulfill all other requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout. This policy also applies to members of the BSA who, while living abroad, have earned advancement in another Scouting association.