Advancements
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
“Every Scouting activity moves boys toward three basic aims: character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness.”
—Scoutmaster Handbook
“Advancement is one of the eight methods used by Scout leaders to help boys fulfill the aims of the BSA.”
—Scoutmaster Handbook
“Every Scouting activity moves boys toward three basic aims: character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness.”
—Scoutmaster Handbook
“Advancement is one of the eight methods used by Scout leaders to help boys fulfill the aims of the BSA.”
—Scoutmaster Handbook
Cub Scouts
Boy Scouts
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Policy on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement Program
No council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements. There are limited exceptions relating only to youth members with special needs.
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Policy on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement Program
No council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements. There are limited exceptions relating only to youth members with special needs.
For more information on Advancements, download the Guide to Advancement.
For Rank requirements, visit the Boy Scouts Advancement Page.
For Rank requirements, visit the Boy Scouts Advancement Page.
Venturers
Any Venturer or Sea Scout who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a troop or Varsity Scout in a team may continue advancement up to his 18th birthday toward the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks. He must meet the requirements as prescribed in the official Boy Scout Handbook and the current Boy Scout Requirements book. The Venturer or Sea Scout may fulfill leadership requirements by serving as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, quartermaster, historian, den chief, guide, webmaster, Leave No Trace trainer, boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser, or storekeeper.
The unit leader conference will be conducted by the Advisor or Skipper. As the Venturer fulfills requirements for the Star and Life ranks, a board of review must be conducted by the crew or ship committee according to the procedures established by the National Council as published in the Guide to Advancement.
Any Venturer or Sea Scout who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout in a troop or Varsity Scout in a team may continue advancement up to his 18th birthday toward the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks. He must meet the requirements as prescribed in the official Boy Scout Handbook and the current Boy Scout Requirements book. The Venturer or Sea Scout may fulfill leadership requirements by serving as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, quartermaster, historian, den chief, guide, webmaster, Leave No Trace trainer, boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser, or storekeeper.
The unit leader conference will be conducted by the Advisor or Skipper. As the Venturer fulfills requirements for the Star and Life ranks, a board of review must be conducted by the crew or ship committee according to the procedures established by the National Council as published in the Guide to Advancement.
Sea Scouts