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, Scouts BSA, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing is the growth a young person achieves as a result of his/her participation in unit program.

The Trail to Eagle Scout

Resources that our council has made available for Life Scouts on their "Trail to Eagle" are available at the link below.

The Twelve Steps you must follow from Life to Eagle

Planning, developing, and carrying out Eagle Service Project

Eagle Scout Application checklist

Eagle Scout Application

Eagle Scout Project Workbook

Alternative requirements for Eagle Scout Merit Badges

 

The Trail to the Summit

Resources that our council has made available for Venturers on their "Trail to the Venturing Summit Award" are available at the link below.

Read more: The Trail to the Summit

 

Merit Badge Counseling

The merit badge counselor is a key player in the Boy Scout advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a merit badge counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a young man’s curiosity about that particular topic. By serving as a merit badge counselor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so that Scouts can explore a topic of interest.

If you are not yet a merit badge counselor, it is easy to become a volunteer. You will need to register with the Boy Scouts of America, through your BSA local council by completing, and turning in the “Adult Application.” and a merit badge Counselor information sheet

In order to register, merit badge counselors are expected to complete BSA Youth Protection. This training can be done through The BSA’s Online Learning Center . The Boy Scouts of America seeks to create a safe environment for young people and adult leaders to enjoy the program and related activities. BSA Youth Protection training helps preserve that environment.  All Merit Badge Counselors are entered into Scoutbook where scout families have acccess to contact them.

The Adult application

Merit Badge Counselor Information

List of all merit badges and their requirements

A Guide for meirt badge counselors

Commonweath of PA Clearances

 

Cyber Chip

Today’s youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Boy Scouts of America has introduced the Cyber Chip program. In developing this exciting new tool, the BSA teamed up with content expert NetSmartz®, part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® and training experts from many law enforcement agencies.

The Cyber Chip can be earned by any youth in the BSA’s programs. Topics include cyber bullying, cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, and identity theft. Material is tailored at each level for age-appropriateness.

 

STEM Awards

In June 2012, the Boy Scouts of America launched its new program, the STEM Initiative.  This program offers the STEM Nova Awards and STEM Supernova Awards.  Within each Scouting program, there are four parallel Nova Awards available, one in each STEM field.  These awards recognize completion of fun STEM activities.  For those youth who want to take their STEM interests further, BSA offers the Supernova Award, which recognizes completion of independent, more advanced challenges in the STEM fields. 

Click here to learn more about the STEM awards

 

Internet Advancement

Cub Scout Advancement

Scouts, BSA Advancement

Venturing Advancement

 

The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA)

    For information on the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) CLICK HERE.

    For an application to join the Natonal Eagle Scout Association  CLICK HERE

    For our local Northeastern Pennsylvania Council NESA Chapter, CLICK HERE.

 

P.R.A.Y. (Religious Awards)

The religious award program for the BSA is administered by  P.R.A.Y. (Program of Religious Activities for Youth).

                     For more information on this program CLICK HERE

 

Advancement for Special Needs Scouts

Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has had fully participating members with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. James E. West, the first Chief Scout Executive, was a person with a disability. Although most of the BSA's efforts have been directed at keeping such youth in the mainstream of Scouting, it has also recognized the special needs of those with significant disabilities.

CLICK HERE for more information on Special Needs and Disabilities

 

File Name Description
Eagle Scout Application checklist Download
PA state clearances information Download
Planning, developing, and carrying out Eagle Service Project Download
The Twelve Steps you must follow from Life to Eagle Download