ADVANCEMENT
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE
IX. POLICIES AND DEFINITIONS (POLICIES)-CHARTER AND BYLAWS
SECTION
1
Declaration
of Religious Principle
Clause
1. The
Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow
into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an
obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath
or Promise the member declares, “On my honor I
will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and
to obey the Scout Law.“ The recognition of God
as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the
grateful acknowledgment of His favors and blessings are
necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome
precepts in the education of the growing members. No
matter what the religious faith of the members may be,
this fundamental need of good citizenship should be kept
before them. The Boy Scouts of America, therefore, recognizes
the religious element in the training of the member,
but it IS absolutely
nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training
Its policy is that the home and the organization or group
with which the member is connected shall give definite
attention to religious life.
Activities
Clause
2. The activities
of the members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be carried
on under conditions which show respect to the convictions
of others in matters of custom and religion, as required
by the 12th point of the Scout Law, reading, “Reverent.
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious
duties. He respects the beliefs of others.”
Freedom
Clause
3. In no
case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively
religious organization shall members of other denominations
or faith be required, because of their membership in the
unit, to take part in or to observe a religious ceremony
distinctly unique to that organization or church.
Leaders
Clause
4. Only
persons willing to subscribe to these declarations of principles
shall be entitled to certificates of leadership in carrying
out the Scouting program.
ARTICLE
X. PROGRAM (ADVANCEMENT)-RULES AND REGULATIONS
SECTION
1
General
Principles
Clause
1. Education
is the chief function of the Scouting movement and it shall
be the basis of the advancement program. A fundamental
principle of advancement shall be that the boy’s
progress is a natural outcome of his activities in his
unit. The rank requirements in these phases of the Scouting
program, as set forth in the official publications, shall
furnish the basis of the activities of the unit.
a.
In Cub Scouting recognition is earned in the home and the
neighborhood by passing certain achievements related to
simple skills, habits, Ideals, and hobbies.
b.
In Boy Scouting, recognition is gained through leadership
in the troop, attending and participating in Its activities,
living the ideals of Scouting, and proficiency in activities
related to outdoor life, useful skills, and career exploration.
c.
In Varsity Scouting, recognition is gained through leadership
in the team, attending and participating in its activities,
living the ideals of Varsity Scouting, and proficiency in
activities related to outdoor Life, useful skills, and career
exploration.
d.
In Exploring, recognition takes on a wider scope, involving
the assumption of adultlike roles, identification with adult
careers, and participation in community and citizenship responsibilities
Administration
Clause 2.
All advancement procedures shall be administered under conditions
that harmonize with the aims and purposes of the Boy Scouts
of America.
Cub
Scout Advancement
Clause
3. Basis
for Advancement. The Cub Scout advancement program shall
be the basis for the Cub Scout’s advancement. There
shall be three steps in Cub Scout and Webelos Scout advancement
procedures: preparation, qualification, and recognition.
Clause
4. Ranks.
There shall be the following ranks in Cub Scouting: Bobcat,
Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. The requirements
shall be authorized by the Executive Board and set forth
in official Cub Scout publications.
Boy
Scout Advancement
Clause
5. Basis
for Advancement. The Boy Scout requirements for ranks shall
be the basis for the Scout’s advancement. There shall
be four steps in Boy Scout advancement procedure: learning,
testing, reviewing, and recognition.
Clause
6. Ranks.
There shall be the following ranks in Boy Scouting: Tenderfoot,
Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The requirements
shall be those authorized by the Executive Board and set
forth in official Scouting publications. Eagle Palms may
also be awarded on the basis of requirements authorized
by the Executive Board and set forth in official Scouting
publications.
Clause
7. Responsibility
of the Troop Committee. It shall be the responsibility
of the troop committee, under the leadership and guidance
of the local council, to make sure that the program of
the troop is conducted in such a way that Scouts have an
opportunity to advance on the basis of the four steps outlined
in clause 5.
Varsity
Scout Advancement
Clause
8. Basis
for Advancement. The Boy Scout requirements for advancement
shall be the basis for Varsity Scout advancement.
Clause
9. Responsibility
of the Team Committee. It shall be the responsibility
of the team committee, under the leadership and guidance
of the local council, to make sure that the program of
the team IS conducted in such a way that Varsity Scouts
have an opportunity to advance on the basis of the four
steps outlined in clause 5.
Venture
Recognition
Clause
10. Basis
for Advancement. A male Venturer who has achieved the First
Class rank as a Boy Scout in a troop or as a Varsity Scout
in a team may continue working toward the Eagle Award while
a Ventureer, until his 18th birthday. There is no Venture
advancement route to qualify for the Eagle Award.
Clause
II. Ranks.
There shall be awards and ranks in Sea Exploring, the requirements
for which shall be approved by the Executive Board as proposed
by the Venture Committee and set forth in Venturer publications.
Responsibility
for Merit Badges
Clause
13. The
responsibility for merit badges shall rest with the merit
badge counselor approved by the local council and district
advancement committee. Merit badge counselors shall be
registered adult members of the Boy Scouts of America.
The merit badge counselor shall prepare and qualify youth
members. There shall be no board of review procedure for
merit badges, but public recognition may be given at a
unit court of honor or other suitable occasion.
ARTICLE
Xl. (REGISTRATION)-RULES AND REGULATIONS
SECTION
3
Special
Types of Registration
Clause
19. Mentally
Retarded or Severely Physically Handicapped Youth Members.
In the discretion of the Executive Board, and under such
rules and regulations as it may prescribe upon consultation
with appropriate medical authorities, registration of boys
who are either mentally retarded or severely physically
handicapped, including the blind. deaf, and emotionally
disturbed, over age 11 as Cub Scouts and over age 18 as
Boy Scouts, or Varsity Scouts, and registration of young
adults who are either mentally retarded or severely physically
handicapped, including the blind, deaf, and emotionally
disturbed, over age 21 as Explorers, and the participation
of each in the respective advancement programs while registered,
is authorized.
Top
of page | Advancement
home page |