140 First Year Scouts Information

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First Year Scouts Program Plan:

Following the camp out, almost every troop meeting will cover another of the requirements needed for advancement.  The goal being that if the scout participates in the meetings and outings, that they will have completed the requirements to achieve First Class by the en of their first year.  On each monthly camp out there are many opportunities for rank advancement and requirements sign off.  (**Please note, the only signatures accepted in their books for requirement completion are those of the troop leaders and select designated senior scouts, Parents are not allowed to sign off in their scouts book.)

TROOP 140 SCOUT ADVANCEMENT PLAN

Here is a great on-line resource for videos that cover all the scout rank requirements.  Check it out!  This series of videos (which may also be downloaded as podcasts) demonstrate how to fulfill each and every requirement for the first four ranks of Boy Scouting.
Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and first Class Requirements 

Many new scout parents are mystified by the various Ranks and Merit Badges of the Boy Scout Program. Some think it takes an expert to figure it out - especially at a Troop meeting with 50-60 energetic scouts, 10-20 adults and many activities happening all at the same time. It can all be very confusing. For those who want the “down and dirty”, here is an overview of the Troop 140 “Advancement Plan”.

There are seven Boy Scout Ranks.

The First Four Ranks are:

Scout	Tenderfoot	Second Class	First Class

Our goal is for each Scout to achieve the rank of First Class Scout within one year of joining the Troop (many make it sooner). There are no merit badges  required to achieve any of the first four ranks.  That doesn't mean that they can't work and earn them, just that it isn't required for the first four ranks. All of the requirements for each of the first four ranks are contained in the Scout Handbook.

The requirements for any of the first four ranks may be worked on simultaneously, however these ranks must be earned in sequence. The Handbook also contains instructions on “how to” complete each requirement.  [It tells you the answers and how to do it. The Scout Handbook is the scout's bible, almost everything they need to know except for merit badges can be found in the handbook.  It is requested that the scouts always have their Scout Handbook with them at all times.  The handbook is also where the troop leaders and designated senior scouts will sign off on requirements that the scout has completed.

Advancement requirements are worked on at most troop meetings, campouts and summer camp. If your son is falling behind, due to sports or absences - do not worry - you may work at home with him on the requirements - however an adult leader or designated senior scouts, must then meet with your son at a Troop Meeting or campout, review the item with him and “sign off” the requirements. (**NOTE** Unlike Cub Scouts, parents are not allowed to sign off on any requirements, only troop leaders and select senior scouts. Even troop leaders may not sign off on their own son's requirments!)

Many Scouts periodically “fall behind” and most advance at different rates. Contact the Scoutmaster, Advancement Chair, or any Assistant Scoutmaster and they will help you formulate a plan for your son to catch up if he is behind. However, you must be committed to assist him as well. There are no time requirements for the first four ranks - so advancement can be swift if the scout is motivated and attends Troop outings and activities. If a Scout attends the troop meetings, camp outs and summer camp, the four ranks can easily be obtained in the course of the first year.

Those scouts who participate in the various team sports throughout the year, often lag behind, due to demands of the sports.  They can easily catch up in the off-season though. Over the last four years the majority of Eagle Scouts have participated on Sports teams. As soon as the requirements for each rank are completed, your son should contact the Scoutmaster to request a Scoutmaster Conference. The scout should review the requirements he has completed for that rank and any preceding rank so that he is confident in the skills learned.  If the Scoutmaster determines that the scout is not properly prepared, he will provide him with some guidance as to what he must study in order to successfully pass his Scoutmaster conference.

[Note: Sometimes, because it is often very hectic at the meetings, the Scoutmaster may be too busy to conduct a conference on that day. In that event, the Scout should telephone him at home and schedule the conference. The Scoutmaster will try to make himself available for conferences, at most any time and any place - he unselfishly conducts many on week nights or weekends at his home, as well as before or after meetings. At certain times, and for some of the lower ranks, he may ask the Advancement Chair or one of the Assistant Scoutmasters to conduct the conferences as well.

After the Scoutmaster Conference your son should inform the Advancement Chair that he is ready for his Board of Review. They will then schedule a Board of Review. During the Board of Review the Scout is asked questions pertaining to his completion of the rank requirements by a group of registered adults and or committee members. This is an oral review and not a “test”. Upon successful completion and approval of the Board of Review members, he attains the rank.  If there are areas in need of reinforcement or review, the scout may be required to study more and then participate in a follow up review.

Once a Scout attains the Rank of First Class, he is awarded the dark green and red “Troop 140 Neckerchief”. He is out of the “beginner” category and trained in the basic scouting skills that he will use for the rest of his life. He can now help the younger scouts learn their requirements and he is ready to assume more of a leadership position as he progresses toward the ranks of Star, Life and Eagle.

Scout Time: Life Scout for 6 months.
Merit Badges: 21 merit badges, (the 11 badges earned for Life are part of the 21) 12 must be “Eagle required” merit badges
Service: Completion of an Approved Eagle Project – Minimum of 40 hours of Service (20 by the Scout and 20 by others)
Leadership: Hold a Leadership position in the Troop for 6 months after attaining the rank of Life.
 
All the Merit Badges, including those that are "Eagle Required" are listed in the Scout Handbook. The actual requirements for each merit badge can be found in the Merit badge pamphlet for that respective merit badge, (purchasable at the scout store), not in the Scout Handbook.  Additionally, the requirements can also be found on-line by going to the merit badge website
The Troop also has many of the merit badge pamphlets, which you can use for free and some libraries have copies as well. Simply ask the Troop Librarian or the Advancement Chair for the pamphlet. Then obtain a signed merit badge application from the Scoutmaster. Next, ask the Advancement Chair or another leader for the name and number of a counselor that handles that badge. The counselor might ask for an appointment to discuss what is expected.

Merit Badge meetings must not be one on one, there must be at least two adults together with the scout(s) at all times. Most of the time the scout’s parent is present. Once the merit badge requirements are completed, the Scout must go to their merit badge counselor where he will be quizzed on the requirements. If he passes, an “Application for Merit Badge” card is signed by the Counselor and dated; if he does not pass, he completes the parts he missed and must go back to the counselor again. The Scout then returns the completed merit badge card to the Scoutmaster for final sign off.www.meritbadge.com .
The "Application for Merit Badge" card is a three part card – make sure the appropriate section is given to the Troop Advancement Chair- only then is the merit badge earned. The Scout should retain the middle section of the card, the "Applicant's Record", as the scout's proof that he earned that Merit Badge. Many merit badges are offered at Summer Camp and many adults run merit badge classes at Troop meetings to help scouts advance. There are no Boards of Review for Merit Badges. However, for Rank advancement, each Scout must have a Scoutmaster Conference and a Board of Review once he completes the requirements for rank advancement.

It is important that the Scout keep his Scout Handbook rank requirements check list updated; verify that your records agree with the Troop's records by talking with the Advancement Chair. In order to advance through the ranks, it is it important to attend summer camp, since certain badges are very difficult to complete except at camp. We have also found that due to the tremendous demands of high school, most scouts will have an easier time if they attain the rank of Life Scout and complete most of the merit badges for Eagle, before they start high school, if they desire to become an Eagle Scout.

Rank advancement is celebrated at the Court of Honor held in September, February and June.The date of the Board of Review is the official date for tenure required for the next rank. Rank advancement can be awarded at a troop meeting and the “cards” held for recognition at the next Court of Honor. 

Eagle Palms -Bronze, Gold & Silver

 

Bronze Palm	Gold Palm	Silver Palm