Cub Scout Advancement
How It Works
Advancement at the Cub Scout level focuses on adventures, or dedicated activities, that focus on Character & Leadership, Personal Fitness, Citizenship, Personal Safety, Family & Reverence, Outdoors, and elective focuses. For each level, there are a number of required adventures that can be completed as a den or individually at leader and parent discretion.
Lion (Kindergarten)
Lion Cub Scouts must complete a minimum of eight adventures to earn the rank of Lion.
Each Lion must earn
Bobcat Adventure (Character & Leadership), Fun on the Run (Personal Fitness), King of the Jungle (Citizenship), Lion's Roar (Personal Safety), Lion's Pride (Family & Reverence), and Mountain Lion (Outdoors).
As well as those six adventures, a minimum of two of the following adventures will be worked on:
Build It Up, Knock It Down, Champions for Nature Lion, Count On Me, Everyday Tech, Gizmos and Gadgets, Go Fish, I'll Do It Myself, Let's Camp Lion, On a Roll, On Your Mark, Pick My Path, Race Time Lion, Ready, Set, Grow, and Time to Swim.
Tiger (1st Grade)
Tiger Cub Scouts must complete a minimum of eight adventures to earn the rank of Tiger.
Each Tiger must earn
Bobcat Adventure (Character & Leadership), Tiger Bites (Personal Fitness), Team Tiger (Citizenship), Tiger's Roar (Personal Safety), Tiger Circles (Family & Reverence), and Tigers in the Wild (Outdoors).
As well as those six adventures, a minimum of two of the following adventures will be worked on:
Champions for Nature Tiger, Curiosity, Intrigue, and Magical Mysteries, Designed by Tiger, Fish On, Floats and Boats, Good Knights, Let's Camp Tiger, Race Time Tiger, Rolling Tigers, Safe and Smart, Sky is the Limit, Stories in Shapes, Summertime Fun Tiger, Tech All Around, Tiger Tag, Tiger-iffic!, and Tigers in the Water.
Wolf (2nd Grade)
Wolf Cub Scouts must complete a minimum of eight adventures to earn the rank of Wolf.
Each Wolf must earn
Bobcat Adventure (Character & Leadership), Running With the Pack (Personal Fitness), Council Fire (Citizenship), Safety in Numbers (Personal Safety), Footsteps (Family & Reverence), and Paws on the Path (Outdoors).
As well as those six adventures, a minimum of two of the following adventures will be worked on:
A Wolf Goes Fishing, Adventures in Coins, Air of the Wolf, Champions for Nature Wolf, Code of the Wolf, Computing Wolves, Cubs Who Care, Digging in the Past, Finding Your Way, Germs Alive, Let's Camp Wolf, Paws for Water, Paws of Skill, Pedal With the Pack, Race Time Wolf, Spirit Of The Water, and Summertime Fun Wolf.
Bear (3rd Grade)
Bear Cub Scouts must complete a minimum of eight adventures to earn the rank of Bear.
Each Bear must earn
Bobcat Adventure (Character & Leadership), Bear Strong (Personal Fitness), Paws for Action (Citizenship), Standing Tall (Personal Safety), Fellowship (Family & Reverence), and Bear Habitat (Outdoors).
As well as those six adventures, a minimum of two of the following adventures will be worked on:
A Bear Goes Fishing, Balancing Bears, Baloo the Builder, Bears Afloat, Bears on Bikes, Champions for Nature Bears, Chef Tech, Critter Care, Forensics, Let's Camp Bear, Marble Madness, Race Time Bear, Roaring Laughter, Salmon Run, Summertime Fun Bear, Super Science, and Whittling.
Webelos (4th Grade)
Webelos Cub Scouts must complete a minimum of eight adventures to earn the rank of Webelos.
Each Webelos must earn
Bobcat Adventure (Character & Leadership), Stronger, Faster, Higher (Personal Fitness), My Community (Citizenship), My Safety (Personal Safety), My Family (Family & Reverence), and Webelos Walkabout (Outdoors).
As well as those six adventures, a minimum of two of the following adventures will be worked on:
Aquanaut, Art Explosion, Aware and Care, Build It, Catch the Big One, Champions for Nature Webelos, Chef's Knife, Earth Rocks, Let's Camp Webelos, Math on the Mind, Modular Design, Paddle Onward, Pedal Away, Race Time Webelos, Summertime Fun Webelos, Tech on the Trail, and Yo-yo.
Arrow of Light (5th Grade)
Arrow of Light Cub Scouts must complete a minimum of eight adventures to earn the rank of Arrow of Light.
Each Arrow of Light must earn
Bobcat Adventure (Character & Leadership), Personal Fitness (Personal Fitness), Citizenship (Citizenship), First Aid (Personal Safety), Duty to God (Family & Reverence), and Outdoor Adventurer (Outdoors).
As well as those six adventures, a minimum of two of the following adventures will be worked on:
Champions for Nature AOL, Cycling, Engineer, Estimations, Fishing, High Tech Outdoors, Into the Wild, Into the Woods, Knife Safety, Paddle Craft, Race Time AOL, Summertime Fun AOL, and Swimming.
Scout Advancement
How It Works
In a Troop, Scouts are encouraged to work on their advancement trail independently. When a Scout completes a requirement, the Scout goes to a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster in order to verify the Scout has completed the requirement in a satisfactory manner. Some requirements may be completed on a Scout outing, but the Scout is responsible for asking a leader to verify and sign off on the fulfillment. Along with this, Scouts complete Merit Badges with a designated Merit Badge Counselor to show mastered in-depth knowledge of the subject.
Scout Rank
1a. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your own words, explain their meaning.
1b. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe some ways you have shown Scout spirit by practicing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan.
1c. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Explain when they should be used.
1d. Describe the First Class Scout badge and tell what each part stands for. Explain the significance of the First Class Scout badge.
1e. Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. List the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. Explain the difference between the two.
1f. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance. In your own words, explain its meanings.
After attending at least one Scout troop meeting, do the following:
2a. Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership.
2b. Describe the four steps of Scout advancement.
2c. Describe what the Scouts ranks are and how they are earned.
2d. Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned.
3a. Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that are used in your troop.
3b. Become familiar with your patrol name, emblem, flag, and yell. Explain how these items create patrol spirit.
4a. Show how to tie a square knot, two half-hitches, and a taut line hitch. Explain how each knot is used.
4b. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope.
5. Tell what you need to know about pocketknife safety and responsibility.
6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide and view the Personal Safety Awareness videos (with your parent or guardian’s permission).
7. Since joining the troop and while working on the Scout rank, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
Tenderfoot
1a: Present yourself to your leader, prepared for an overnight camping trip. Show the personal and camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.
1b. Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.
1c. Explain how you demonstrated the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace on campouts or outings.
2a. On the campout, assist in preparing one of the meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup.
2b. While on a campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve, and eat a meal.
2c. Explain the importance of eating together as a patrol.
3a. Demonstrate a practical use of the square knot.
3b. Demonstrate a practical use of two half-hitches.
3c. Demonstrate a practical use of the taut-line hitch.
3d. Demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax. Describe when each should be used.
4a. Show first aid for the following:
Simple cuts and scrapes
Blisters on the hand and foot
Minor (thermal/heat) burns or scalds (superficial, or first-degree)
Bites or stings of insects and ticks
Venomous snakebite
Nosebleed
Frostbite and sunburn
Choking
4b. Describe common poisonous or hazardous plants; identify any that grow in your local area or campsite location. Tell how to treat for exposure to them.
4c. Tell what you can do while on a campout or other outdoor activity to prevent or reduce the occurrence of injuries or exposure listed in Tenderfoot requirements 4a and 4b.
4d. Assemble a personal first-aid kit to carry with you on future campouts and hikes. Tell how each item in the kit would be used.
5a. Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and where you live. Use the buddy system while on a troop or patrol outing.
5b. Describe what to do if you become lost on a hike or campout.
5c. Explain the rules of safe and responsible hiking, both on the highway and cross-country, during the day and at night.
5d. Explain why it is important to hike on trails or other durable surfaces and give examples of durable surfaces you saw on your outing.
6a. Record your best in the following tests:
Pushups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
Sit-ups or curl-ups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
Back-saver sit-and-reach (Record the distance stretched.)
1-mile walk/run (Record the time.)
6b. Develop and describe a plan for improvement in each of the activities listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a. Keep track of your activity for at least 30 days.
6c. Show improvement (of any degree) in each activity listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a after practicing for 30 days.
Pushups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
Sit-ups or curl-ups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
Back-saver sit-and-reach (Record the distance stretched.)
1-mile walk/run (Record the time.)
7a. Demonstrate how to display, raise, lower, and fold the U.S. flag.
7b. Participate in a total of one hour of service in one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout slogan and Scout motto.
8. Describe the steps in Scouting’s Teaching EDGE method. Use the Teaching EDGE method to teach another person how to tie the square knot.
9. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law in your everyday life.
10. While working toward the Tenderfoot rank, and after completing Scout rank requirement 7, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
11. Successfully complete your board of review for the Tenderfoot rank.
Second Class
1a. Since joining Scouts, participate in five separate troop/patrol activities, at least three of which must be held outdoors. Of the outdoor activities, at least two must include overnight camping. These activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect, such as a lean-to, snow cave, or tepee.
1b. Recite the principles of Leave No Trace from memory. Explain how you follow them on all outings.
1c. On one of these campouts, select a location for your patrol site and recommend it to your patrol leader, senior patrol leader, or troop guide. Explain what factors you should consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
2a. Explain when it is appropriate to use a fire for cooking or other purposes and when it would not be appropriate to do so.
2b. Use a pocketknife, and a saw or axe if needed, to prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel wood for a cooking fire.
2c. Using a minimum-impact method at an approved outdoor location and time, use the tinder, kindling, and fuel wood from Second Class requirement 2b to demonstrate how to build a fire. Unless prohibited by local fire restrictions, light the fire. After allowing the flames to burn safely for at least two minutes, safely extinguish the flames with minimal impact to the fire site. Properly dispose of the ashes and any charred remains.
2d. Explain when it is appropriate to use a lightweight stove and when it is appropriate to use a propane stove. Set up a lightweight stove or propane stove. Light the stove, unless prohibited by local fire restrictions. Describe the safety procedures for using these types of stoves.
2e. On one campout, plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch, selecting foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Demonstrate how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
2f. Demonstrate tying the sheet bend knot. Describe a situation in which you would use this knot.
2g. Demonstrate tying the bowline knot. Describe a situation in which you would use this knot.
3a. Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Use a map to point out and tell the meaning of five map symbols.
3b. Using a compass and map together, take a 5-mile hike (or 10 miles by bike) approved by your adult leader and your parent or guardian.
3c. Describe some hazards or injuries that you might encounter on your hike and what you can do to help prevent them.
3d. Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass or an electronic device.
4. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of wild animals (such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, or mollusks) found in your local area or camping location. You may show evidence by tracks, signs, or photographs you have taken.
5a. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.
5b. Demonstrate your ability to pass the BSA beginner test: Jump feet first into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.
5c. Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects.
5d. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible. Explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
6a. Demonstrate first aid for the following:
Object in the eye
Bite of a warm-blooded animal
Puncture wounds from a splinter, nail, and fishhook
Serious burns (partial thickness, or second-degree)
Heat exhaustion
Shock
Heatstroke, dehydration, hypothermia, and hyperventilation
6b. Show what to do for “hurry” cases of stopped breathing, stroke, severe bleeding, and ingested poisoning.
6c. Tell what you can do while on a campout or hike to prevent or reduce the occurrence of the injuries listed in Second Class requirements 6a and 6b.
6d. Explain what to do in case of accidents that require emergency response in the home and backcountry. Explain what constitutes an emergency and what information you will need to provide to a responder.
6e. Tell how you should respond if you come upon the scene of a vehicular accident.
7a. After completing Tenderfoot requirement 6c, be physically active at least 30 minutes each day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities.
7b. Share your challenges and successes in completing Second Class requirement 7a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your daily life and develop a plan for doing so.
7c. Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family, and explain the dangers of substance addictions. Report to your Scoutmaster or other adult leader in your troop about which parts of the Scout Oath and Scout Law relate to what you learned.
8a. Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institution, chartered organization, community, or Scouting activity.
8b. Explain what respect is due the flag of the United States.
8c. With your parents or guardian, decide on an amount of money that you would like to earn, based on the cost of a specific item you would like to purchase. Develop a written plan to earn the amount agreed upon and follow that plan; it is acceptable to make changes to your plan along the way. Discuss any changes made to your original plan and whether you met your goal.
8d. At a minimum of three locations, compare the cost of the item for which you are saving to determine the best place to purchase it. After completing Second Class requirement 8c, decide if you will use the amount that you earned as originally intended, save all or part of it, or use it for another purpose.
8e. Participate in two hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Tell how your service to others relates to the Scout Oath.
9a. Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.
9b. Describe bullying; tell what the appropriate response is to someone who is bullying you or another person.
10. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law (not to include those used for Tenderfoot requirement 9) in your everyday life.
11. While working toward the Second Class rank, and after completing Tenderfoot requirement 10, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
12. Successfully complete your board of review for the Second Class rank.
First Class
1a. Since joining Scouts BSA, participate in 10 separate troop/patrol activities, at least six of which must be held outdoors. Of the outdoor activities, at least three must include overnight camping. These activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect, such as a lean-to, snow cave, or tepee.
1b. Explain the potential impacts of camping, both on the environment and on other outdoor users. Explain why the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles are important for protecting the outdoors.
2a. Help plan a menu for one of the above campouts that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner, and that requires cooking at least two of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model and how it meets nutritional needs for the planned activity or campout.
2b. Using the menu planned in First Class requirement 2a, make a list showing a budget and the food amounts needed to feed three or more youth. Secure the ingredients.
2c. Show which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
2d. Demonstrate the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food products. Show how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic containers, waste water, and other rubbish.
2e. On one campout, serve as cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.
3a. Discuss when you should and should not use lashings.
3b. Demonstrate tying the timber hitch and clove hitch.
3c. Demonstrate tying the square, shear, and diagonal lashings by joining two or more poles or staves together.
3d. Use lashings to make a useful camp gadget or structure.
4a. Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/ or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.).
4b. Demonstrate how to use a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone, or other electronic navigation system while on a campout or hike. Use GPS to find your current location, a destination of your choice, and the route you will take to get there. Follow that route to arrive at your destination.
5a. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your local area or campsite location. You may show evidence by identifying fallen leaves or fallen fruit that you find in the field, or as part of a collection you have made, or by photographs you have taken.
5b. Identify two ways to obtain a weather forecast for an upcoming activity. Explain why weather forecasts are important when planning for an event.
5c. Describe at least three natural indicators of impending hazardous weather, the potential dangerous events that might result from such weather conditions, and the appropriate actions to take.
5d. Describe extreme weather conditions you might encounter in the outdoors in your local geographic area. Discuss how you would determine ahead of time the potential risk of these types of weather dangers, alternative planning considerations to avoid such risks, and how you would prepare for and respond to those weather conditions.
6a. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.
6b. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.
6c. Identify the basic parts of a canoe, kayak, or other boat. Identify the parts of a paddle or an oar.
6d. Describe proper body positioning in a watercraft, depending on the type and size of the vessel. Explain the importance of proper body position in the boat.
6e. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)
7a. Demonstrate bandages for a sprained ankle and for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and the collarbone.
7b. By yourself and with a partner, show how to:
Transport a person from a smoke-filled room.
Transport for at least 25 yards a person with a sprained ankle.
7c. Tell the five most common signals of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
7d. Tell what utility services exist in your home or meeting place. Describe potential hazards associated with these utilities and tell how to respond in emergency situations.
7e. Develop an emergency action plan for your home that includes what to do in case of fire, storm, power outage, and water outage.
7f. Explain how to obtain potable water in an emergency.
8a. After completing Second Class requirement 7a, be physically active at least 30 minutes each day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities.
8b. Share your challenges and successes in completing First Class requirement 8a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your daily life.
9a. Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (for example, an elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal, or teacher) the constitutional rights and obligations of a U.S. citizen.
9b. Investigate an environmental issue affecting your community. Share what you learned about that issue with your patrol or troop. Tell what, if anything, could be done by you or your community to address the concern.
9c. On a Scouting or family outing, take note of the trash and garbage you produce. Before your next similar outing, decide how you can reduce, recycle, or repurpose what you take on that outing, and then put those plans into action. Compare your results.
9d. Participate in three hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. The project(s) must not be the same service project(s) used for Tenderfoot requirement 7b and Second Class requirement 8e. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout Law.
10. Tell someone who is eligible to join Scouts, or an inactive Scout, about your Scouting activities. Invite this person to an outing, activity, service project, or meeting. Provide information on how to join, or encourage the inactive Scout to become active. Share your efforts with your Scoutmaster or other adult leader.
11. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law (different from those points used for previous ranks) in your everyday life.
12. While working toward the First Class rank, and after completing Second Class requirement 11, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
13. Successfully complete your board of review for the First Class rank.
Star
1. Be active in your troop for at least four months as a First Class Scout.
2. As a First Class Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.
3. Earn six merit badges, including any four from the required list for Eagle. You may choose any of the merit badges on the required list for Eagle to fulfill this requirement. See Eagle rank requirement 3 for this list.
4. While a First Class Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster.
5. While a First Class Scout, serve actively in your troop for four months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop):
Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide.
6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade or view the Personal Safety Awareness videos (with your parent or Guardian’s permission).
7. While a First Class Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
8. Successfully complete your board of review for the Star rank.
Life
1. Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Star Scout.
2. As a Star Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.
3. Earn five more merit badges (so that you have 11 in all) including any number more from the list for Eagle so that you have a total of seven from the required list of Eagle in that total number of 11 merit badges. You may choose any of the merit badges on the required list for Eagle to fulfill this requirement.
4. While a Star Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. At least three hours of this service must be conservation-related.
5. While a Star Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following troop positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop).
Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide.
6. While a Star Scout, use the Teaching EDGE method to teach another Scout (preferably younger than you) the skills from ONE of the following choices, so that the Scout is prepared to pass those requirements to their Scoutmaster’s satisfaction.
Tenderfoot 4a and 4b (first aid)
Second Class 2b, 2c, and 2d (cooking/tools)
Second Class 3a and 3d (navigation)
First Class 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d (tools)
First Class 4a and 4b (navigation)
Second Class 6a and 6b (first aid)
First Class 7a and 7b (first aid)
Three requirements from one of the required Eagle merit badges, as approved by your Scoutmaster
7. While a Star Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
8. Successfully complete your board of review for the Life rank.
Eagle
1. Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Life Scout.
2. As a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God, how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, and how your understanding of the Scout Oath and Scout Law will guide your life in the future. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious (if not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference), educational, employer (if employed), and two other references.
3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including these 14 merit badges: (a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in Society, (e) Citizenship in the World, (f) Communication, (g) Cooking, (h) Personal Fitness, (i) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (j) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (k) Personal Management, (l) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (m) Camping, and (n) Family Life.
You may choose only one of the merit badges listed in categories i, j and l. Any additional merit badge(s) earned in those categories may be counted as one of your seven optional merit badges used to make your total of 21.
4. While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:
Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide.
5. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than Scouting America.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement.
6. While a Life Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
7. Successfully complete your board of review for the Eagle Scout rank.
Venturing Advancement
How It Works
In a Crew, Venturers are encouraged to work on their advancement trail independently and together. When a Venturer completes a requirement, the Venturer goes to the Advisor in order to verify the Venturer has completed the requirement in a satisfactory manner. Some requirements are designed to be completed together, but the Venturer is responsible for asking the Advisor to verify and sign off on the fulfillment.
Venturing
1. Participate in a crew activity outside of a crew meeting.
2. Participate in an interview conducted by your crew president and your advisor.
3. Complete Personal Safety Awareness Training.
4. State intention to join the crew during a crew induction ceremony.
Discovery
1. Participate in at least two Tier II or Tier III adventures at the crew, district, council, area, regional, or national level.
2a. Complete a standard CPR course such as American Red Cross – First Aid/CPR/AED for Schools and the Community or the American Heart Association – Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED or an equivalent course.
2b. Complete a standard first aid course such as the American Red Cross Standard First Aid or equivalent course.
3. Complete the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews course (or an equivalent).
4. Complete Goal Setting and Time Management Training.
5. Complete Venturing Crew Officer Orientation.
6. Participate in service activities totaling at least 24 hours. Up to half of the service may be delivered personally; the rest must be delivered through crew service activities.
7. Complete a structured personal reflection, and use this reflection and what you learned from the process to prepare for goal setting and as part of your Discovery Award advisor conference. Explore one of the following realms: Development of Faith, Development of Self, and Development of Others.
8. In consultation with your advisor, establish at least one personal goal, and achieve it. The goal should be grounded in the realm you explored in Personal Growth requirement 7.
9. Since earning the Venturing Rank, participate in a conference with your advisor. As a part of this conference, discuss with your Advisor the challenges you faced and what you learned in fulfilling Personal Growth requirements 7 and 8.
10. After your Advisor conference, successfully complete a crew board of review.
Pathfinder
1. Participate in at least two additional (for a total of at least four) Tier II or Tier III adventures at the crew, district, council, area, regional, or national level. Serve as a leader for one of the adventures.
2. Complete the Venturing Project Management Training.
3. Since earning the Discovery Rank, plan and give leadership to a Tier II or Tier III adventure. Work with a youth mentor to ensure that you have organized the adventure in advance, that you are prepared for contingencies, and that you have prepared the members of your crew to take part. In some cases, you may need to confer with an external consultant to assure the adventure is feasible for your crew. The adventure must take place over at least two consecutive nights. If an event lasts more than four nights, an additional Venturer may share in planning and leading the adventure. If two Venturers plan the adventure, they should work with their mentor to ensure that the workload is divided fairly between the two leaders. At the close of the adventure, lead a reflection with the participants in the activity to determine what was learned and how it helped them to work together as a more effective team. An experienced Venturer should serve as your mentor for the adventure.
4. Complete ONE of the following:
4a. Since earning the Discovery Rank, serve actively as your crew president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, guide, historian, den chief, or quartermaster for a period of at least six months. At the beginning of your term, work with your crew president (or Advisor, if you are the president) to set performance goals for the position. Any number of different positions may be held as long as the total length of service equals at least six months. Holding simultaneous positions does not shorten the required number of months. Positions need not flow from one to the other; there may be gaps in time. Once during your term of office, discuss your successes and challenges with your crew president (or Advisor, if you are the president).
4b. Participate in or serve on staff for leadership training such as National Youth Leadership Training, National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience, Order of the Arrow National Leadership Seminar, Sea Scout SEAL Training, or Wood Badge (for Venturers 18 or older). You may also participate in non-BSA leadership training courses such as those delivered by the National Outdoor Leadership School, if approved by your Advisor.
5. Plan, organize, and give leadership to a project designed to sustain and grow your crew. Submit the plan to your crew president (or Advisor, if you are president) and explain how you think it will encourage more young people to join Venturing.
6. Participate in service activities totaling at least 36 hours. This is in addition to the 24 hours of service required to earn the Discovery Rank. Up to half of the service may be delivered personally; the rest must be delivered through crew activities.
7. Since earning the Discovery Rank, explore the two realms (Development of Faith, Development of Self, or Development of Others) that you did not explore previously. Based on what you discover, prepare a set of personal reflections or thoughts on the subjects.
Use your reflections and what you learned from the process to prepare for fulfilling Personal Growth requirement 9 and for your Pathfinder Rank Advisor conference.
8. Participate in an ethical controversy discussion activity that includes an extension into conflict resolution.
9. In consultation with your Advisor, establish at least two personal goals and achieve them. The goals should be grounded in the realms you explored in Personal Growth requirement 7.
10. Participate in an Advisor conference. As a part of this conference, discuss with your Advisor the challenges you faced and what you learned in fulfilling Personal Growth requirements 7 and 9.
11. After your Advisor conference, successfully complete a board of review.
Summit
1. Participate in at least three additional (for a total of seven) Tier II or Tier III adventures at the crew, district, council, area, regional, or national level. To earn the Summit Rank, a Venturer must have participated in at least one Tier III adventure and served as a leader during one adventure.
2. Complete Mentoring Training prior to initiating mentoring relationships.
3. Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, mentor another Venturer in the planning and implementation of a crew, council, area, regional, or national Venturing activity (see Summit Adventure requirement 1). Work with the youth enough to ensure he or she is ready to lead and has organized the appropriate resources, is prepared for contingencies, and has developed an itinerary, conducted training to support the adventure, and mitigated risk before and during the adventure. Participate in the adventure and provide feedback on how the adventure was conducted.
4. Complete TWO of the following:
4a. Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, serve actively as your crew president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, guide, historian, den chief, or quartermaster for a period of at least six months. At the beginning of your term, work with your crew president (or Advisor, if you are the president) to set performance goals for the position. Any number of different positions may be held as long as the total length of service equals at least six months. Holding simultaneous positions does not shorten the required number of months. Positions need not flow from one to the other; there may be gaps in time. Once during your term of office, discuss your successes and challenges with your crew president (or Advisor, if you are the president).
4b. Participate in or serve on staff for leadership training such as National Youth Leadership Training, National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience, Order of the Arrow National Leadership Seminar, Sea Scout SEAL Training, or Wood Badge (for Venturers 18 or older). You may also participate in non-BSA leadership training courses such as those delivered by the National Outdoor Leadership School, if approved by your Advisor. This must be a different training course than you completed for Pathfinder Rank requirement 4b or Summit Rank requirement 4c.
4c. Lead the delivery of Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews for members of your Venturing crew or another local Venturing crew or for a local district or council training event. After leading the training course, discuss with your crew Advisor how you believe you helped build the skill set of your crew and what you learned by organizing the training course.
5. Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to a religious institution, school, or community. (The project must benefit an organization other than the Scouting America.) Before you start, a project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Advisor, and another Venturer designated by your crew leadership.
6. Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, complete a structured personal reflection. Use this reflection to prepare for goal setting and as part of your Advisor conference. Explore two of the following realms: Development of Faith, Development of Self, and Development of Others. You may explore one of the realms twice or select from between two different realms.
7. Create a personal code of conduct. This code of conduct should be guided by your explorations in the realms of faith, self, and others.
8. Since earning the Pathfinder Rank, lead an ethical controversy and conflict resolution scenario with members of your Venturing crew.
9. Participate in an Advisor conference. As a part of this conference, share your code of conduct with your Advisor, and explain how your explorations of faith, self, and others, and your goal-setting exercises, influenced the development of your code.
10. After your Advisor conference, successfully complete a crew board of review.