Advancement
How scouts grow, and how you can help.
Scout-led, at their own pace
Advancement is how scouts move up the ranks. Scouts take the lead in their own progress, go at their own pace and earn recognition for what they achieve. It builds independence and keeps scouts coming back for more.
We plan activities so that simply taking part leads to real achievements. Your scout needs to take the initiative, and troop leaders and parents are here to help.
The trail to First Class
Scouts join with no rank and earn each one through troop activities and on their own. First Class is the first big goal. Aim for it within about 18 months. It shows a scout has learned a lot about outdoor skills, community, leadership and responsibility, and is ready to lead other scouts.
Scout
The first rank. A family member can sign this one off, a great way to start together.
Tenderfoot
Build on the basics with your patrol and the troop.
Second Class
More skills, more time outdoors and more responsibility.
First Class
The first big goal, and the foundation for everything after.
Aim for about 18 months
Earning the next rank
The steps are the same for every rank.
Finish the requirements
Complete every requirement and get each one signed off by a Patrol Leader or Troop Guide (an older scout who mentors newer scouts).
Scoutmaster Conference
Your scout asks the Scoutmaster for a conference to talk about their progress.
Board of Review
Your scout works with troop leaders to set up a Board of Review, a friendly chat about their journey.
The trail to Eagle
After First Class, the journey changes. It moves from learning skills to earning merit badges, leading in the troop and serving the community. It is each scout's own journey, with support from their peers and the troop's adult leaders.
Star
Merit badges, a leadership role in the troop and service hours begin to count.
Life
More merit badges, more leadership and more service, building toward the top.
Eagle Scout
Scouting's highest rank, earned by only a small share of scouts.
- Merit badgesEagle takes 21 merit badges: 13 required and 8 electives. Many of the required badges build on what scouts learned on the trail to First Class, like cooking, citizenship, first aid and fitness. See the Eagle-required merit badges.
- LeadershipScouts serve in leadership roles within the troop.
- ServiceScouts give service hours to their community, and Eagle includes a service project of the scout's own.
- Support from the troopWe offer chances to earn Eagle-required merit badges, and we support scouts who choose to work on them completely on their own.
How you can help your scout
Stay curious and stay close to the journey. Here is where families make the biggest difference.
- Check Scoutbook togetherHelp your scout enter requirements online at advancements.scouting.org as their leaders sign them off.
- Sign off the Scout rankFor the first rank, a family member can sign off the requirements.
- Ask questionsStay engaged and curious about what they are working on.
- Come to Courts of HonorWe hold three a year to celebrate advancements, merit badges and awards. Families join the ceremony for rank advancements.
- Attend parent meetingsWe hold regular parent meetings to keep families in the loop.
- Take part in a Board of ReviewHelp us talk with scouts about their journey.
- Join us on BandBand is our private app for troop families, where you will find the calendar, outing photos and troop notices.
- Tell us what your scout needsIf your scout needs extra support, let us know. Every adult and scout leader wants advancement to work for everyone.
Your scout's toolkit
Three things to know about from week one.
Scouts BSA Handbook
The book your scout brings to every meeting and outing, along with their 10 Essentials. It lists the requirements for each rank and tracks camping, hiking and service hours.
Scoutbook
The online record of your scout's progress. Families can help enter requirements as leaders sign them off.
Open ScoutbookBand
Band is a closed, invite-only social app just for our scouts and their parents. We use it to share the calendar of upcoming events, post pictures from outings, send notices and keep everyone connected. Everyone in the troop family should be on it.
Get Band
Learn more from Scouting America
- The Scouts BSA program
- Advancement and awards
- Boards of Review and Scoutmaster Conferences (PDF)
- The 10 Essentials
- Chief Seattle Council
Questions about advancement? We are always happy to help.