Advancement Program

Christine TsengAdvancement ChairTroop 468

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Learning and Teaching in Scouting

How scouts learn?

What are some of the most effective ways that Scouting skills can be taught?

What is EDGE teaching?

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BSA Advancement Program

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BSA Advancement Program

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Teaching Objectives

Scouting offers young people tremendous opportunities to learn a wide range of skills.

The Four Steps to Scout Advancement is one of the most effective ways for boys to earn skills.

Advancement is one of the Eight Methods of Scouting used by BSA leaders to help boys fulfill the aims of the Boy scout of American.

What resources are available to a Scoutmaster?

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The Four Steps to Scout Advancement

1.A Scout learns.

2.A Scout is tested. Signed out by senior scouts.

3.A Scout is reviewed. SMC (review skills)

4.A Scout is recognized.

BSA Advancement Program

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The Methods of Scouting1. Ideals2. Patrol method3. Outdoors4. Advancement5. Association with adults6. Personal growth7. Leadership development8. Uniform

BSA Advancement Program

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Scout Ranks Teach Core Skills

& Values of BSA

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Focus on Personal Growth,

Exploration, Leadership, Responsibility, Reinforcement of BSA Values

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Scout Patch is not a rank

Eagle Palm Rank Encourage Eagle Scouts to still active in the Troop Bronze Palm Gold Palm Silver Palm

Merit Badges Over 130 types of MB to choose from Eagle Scouts needs to earn 21 merit badges,(10 more than you already have), including the following:

(1) First Aid; (2) Citizenship in the Community; (3) Citizenship in the Nation;

(4) Citizenship in the World; (5) Communication; (6) Cooking;

(7) Personal Fitness; (8) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving;

(9)Environmental Science OR Sustainability; (10) Personal Management;

(11) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling; (12) Camping; (13) Family Life

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Beyond Ranks

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The Four Steps to Advancement

1. A scout learns2. A scout is tested3. A scout is reviewed4. A scout is recognized

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The Four Steps to Advancement

1. A scout learns2. A scout is tested3. A scout is reviewed4. A scout is recognized

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Video Clip

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07_Teaching Scouting Skills_02min20sec

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Teaching Scouting Skills

• SPL Demonstrates• PLs tie bandage• Scouts to try • Refer to Scout Handbook• Senior Scouts check • Senior Scouts assist Scouts need

help

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A Scout Learns

• Demonstrate the skill• Work with Scouts on learning• Reinforce the skill at troop

meeting and outing• Test Scouts when they feel

ready

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Who Can Teach Scouting Skills

• Scoutmaster• Assistant Scoutmaster• Committee Members• Merit Badge Counselors• Parents• Senior Scouts

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The Four Steps to Advancement

1. A scout learns2. A scout is tested3. A scout is reviewed4. A scout is recognized

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A Scout is Tested

• A Scout can request a requirement sign off when he feels he is ready.

• The Scout demonstrates the skill to one of the following person– Scoutmaster– Assistant Scoutmaster– Senior Scouts

• Scoutmaster provides quality control

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The Four Steps to Advancement

1. A scout learns2. A scout is tested3. A scout is reviewed4. A scout is recognized

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A Scout is Reviewed

• Scoutmaster Conference (SMC)

• Board of Review (BOR)

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Another Video Clip

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08_The Socutmaster's Conference_04min37sec

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Scoutmaster Conference (SMC)

• Establish trust• Listen carefully• Positive reinforcement• Emphasize Scout Oath and Scout Law• Share ideas about troop, school, personal

interests• Set goals and steps to achieve them• Congratulate Scout’s achievement• Get Scout ready for Board of Review (BOR)

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Some Notes about SMC

• The SMC showing in the video is informal• SMC can happen any time when

Scoutmaster thinks it’s needed• Advancement SMC is a formal interview • Excise youth protection practice• SMC is a good interview experience for

Scouts

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Board of Review (BOR)

• 3 – 6 Committee members• Not a retest, but a discussion• Atmosphere of trust and support• Encouragement and praise• A Scout rank is official once BOR

approves it• Eagle BOR needs District

representatives

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The Four Steps to Advancement

1. A scout learns2. A scout is tested3. A scout is reviewed4. A scout is recognized

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A Scout Is Recognized

Immediately by Scoutmaster A Scout should be receive his new badge as

soon as possible after his achievement has been certified by a BOR.

Publicly in a Court of Honor (COH) A Court of Honor should be hold every three

months to recognize all Scouts who have earned their new ranks or merit badges.

Ceremonies have an important place in Scouting

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Strengths of the Advancement Program

It’s fun.It offers adventure.It allows Scouts to measure their progress.It provides recognition.It promotes development of physical

fitness, character and citizenship.It’s one of the eight methods

of Scouting!

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BSA Advancement Program

Notes

SMC Differentiations by scouts BOR is not a retest BOR is a reinforcement for skills learned.

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BSA Advancement Program

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Thank you