Advancement is the process of gradual mastery of skills to progress through the ranks in the Scouting program. Ranks are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. Everything boys do to advance and earn these ranks, from the day they join until the day they leave the program, should be designed to help boys have an exciting and meaningful experience.

Achievements include:

Learning skills that qualify for more rugged and exciting outdoor challenges;

Developing body and mind, growing self-confidence, and helping younger Scouts climb the advancement ladder;

Discovering how it feels to go further - in so many ways - than he ever thought he could.

Advancement is a goal - the natural outcome of a quality Troop program.

The Boys Scouts of America says there are four steps of advancement:

• The Scout Learns.
• The Scout is tested.
• The Scout is reviewed.
• The Scout is recognized.

However, in Troop 90, we feel there is a curial fifth step to advancement. That is The Scout teaches.

From the time a Scout enters the Troop through the time he earns advancement to First Class, he is learning basic skills to enable him to camp, hike, swim, cook, tie knots, administer first aid, and perform other tasks in the outdoors while working as a member of a team. With those first steps, the scout begins to build himself physically, mentally, and morally. He starts to live with the Scout Oath and Law. Soon he will learn the symbolism inherent in the Scout badge; he will learn that there are three points of the trefoil that stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath: Duty to God and country, duty to other people, and duty to yourself. The goal is for the Scout to achieve the rank of First Class within his first year in the Troop. This is a sign that the scout has mastered the fundamentals of scouting and can begin to start the long process of learning to lead others, refining the learned skills and learning additional skills.

From the achievement of First Class through Eagle, the Scout will be demonstrating leadership, performing service projects, earning merit badges and using the skills learned while achieving the rank of First Class. The next ranks he will earn are Star and Life. These ranks are harder to obtain than the earlier ranks, but are also more interesting for the older scouts. Upon completion of all the requirements for Star and Life the Scout will be eligible to work toward Eagle. The original principals, the Scout Oath and Law now have fuller meaning for the Scout and their understanding of them is much greater. The final steps towards Eagle are filled with leadership experiences.

Details for advancement are contained in the Boy Scout Handbook, which every Scout should obtain as soon as possible after joining the Troop. Take a look at Chapter 1. This short chapter has an advancement summary through First Class.

The goal of the merit badge program is to expand a Scout's areas of interest and to encourage the Scout to meet and work with adults in a chosen subject. Merit badges are earned by a Scout working with a merit badge counselor assigned by the Scoutmaster. The Scout is required to contact the counselor to arrange for times and places to meet with the counselor. When the merit badge work is completed, counselor will inform the Scoutmaster that the Scout has completed the requirements for that badge. Merit Badges earned will be presented to the Scout during a Court of Honor.

All parents of Troop 90 Scouts are encouraged to become Merit Badge Counselors. Please fill in the attached Troop Resource Survey and return to a Troop Leader.

When a Scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, he appears before a board of review composed of members of the Troop committee. The purpose of the review is not an examination. The review should be more like a job interview: determining the Scout's attitude and acceptance of Scouting ideals; a discussion the Scout's experiences and opinion of the Troop program; and to encourage him to keep working towards advancement.

Troop 90 conviens a Board of Review at the last meeting each month. Boys and their parents should keep this in mind and schedule accordingly. Boys going before the board of review need to present themselves in full uniform with their Scout Handbook.

The Court of Honor is a public ceremony, and is a chance for the Scouts to be publicly recognized for their achievements. Parents and all other interested individuals are encouraged to attend.

Troop 90 will conduct a Court of Honor at least twice per year. Normally, a Court of Honor will closely follow elections. The Court of Honor recognizes all Scout appointments, elections, awards, and advancements since the last Court of Honor. Adult recognition will be presented after all Scouts are recognized as time allows. It is the responsibility of the PLC to work with the Troop Committee Chair to plan and conduct Troop Courts of Honor. The Troop Committee will support the Courts of Honor as requested.