Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 10 - Advancement for Members With Special Needs

10.1.0.0 Advancement Flexibility Allowed

10.1.1.0 Advancement for Cub Scouts With Special Needs

10.1.2.0 Advancement in Scouts BSA for Scouts With Special Needs

10.1.2.1 Open-Minded Flexibility

10.1.2.2 Accommodations

10.1.2.3 Modifications

10.1.2.4 Using Alternative Requirements

10.1.2.5 How to Apply for Alternative Requirements

10.1.2.6 Alternative Merit Badges for Eagle Scout Rank

10.1.2.7 Approval for Special Needs Eagle Candidates Over Age 18

10.1.3.0 Advancement for Venturers and Sea Scouts With Special Needs

10.1.3.1 Working Toward Scouts BSA Advancement

10.1.3.2 Working Toward Venturing Ranks

10.1.3.3 Working Toward Sea Scout Ranks

10.2.0.0 Registering Qualified Members Beyond Age of Eligibility (RBAE)

10.2.0.1 Possible Criteria for Registering Beyond Age of Eligibility

10.2.0.2 How to Register a Member Beyond Age of Eligibility

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 9 - The Eagle Scout Rank

9.0.1.0 The Eagle Scout Rank Application Process

9.0.1.1 Complete All the Requirements

9.0.1.2 Prepare the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

9.0.1.3 Complete the Application

9.0.1.4 Obtain Required Signatures

9.0.1.5 Submit to Council Service Center

9.0.1.6 Council Verifies Application and Board of Review Scheduled

9.0.1.7 References Contacted

9.0.1.8 Application Returned to Council Service Center

9.0.1.9 Council Sends Application to National Advancement Program Team

9.0.1.10 National Advancement Program Team Returns Credentials

9.0.2.0 The Eagle Scout Service Project

9.0.2.1 What an Eagle Scout Candidate Should Expect

9.0.2.2 “While a Life Scout . . .”

9.0.2.3 “Plan, Develop . . .”

9.0.2.4 “Give Leadership to Others . . .”

9.0.2.5 “Helpful to Any Religious Institution, Any School, or Your Community”

9.0.2.6 “Benefit an Organization Other Than Scouting America”

9.0.2.7 “Proposal Must Be Approved . . . Before You Start”

9.0.2.8 “Use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook”

9.0.2.9 Eagle Scout Service Project Coach

9.0.2.10 Fundraising Issues

9.0.2.11 Routine Labor

9.0.2.12 Addressing Common Misconceptions

9.0.2.13 Evaluating the Project After Completion

9.0.2.14 Risk Management and Eagle Scout Service Projects

9.0.2.15 Insurance and Eagle Scout Service Projects

9.0.2.16 Eagle Scout Service Projects and Messengers of Peace

9.0.3.0 About Eagle Palms

9.0.4.0 Time Extensions

9.0.4.1 Process for Requesting and Reviewing a Time Extension

9.0.4.2 Appealing a Time Extension Denial

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 8 - Boards of Review: An Overview for All Ranks

8.0.0.1 Purpose and Timeliness of Boards of Review

8.0.0.2 Boards of Review Must Be Granted When Requirements Are Met

8.0.0.3 Composition of the Board of Review

8.0.0.4 Wearing the Uniform—or Neat in Appearance

8.0.1.0 Conducting the Board of Review

8.0.1.1 Not a Retest or “Examination”

8.0.1.2 What Should Be Discussed

8.0.1.3 How Boards Can Lead to Program Improvement

8.0.1.4 Board Members Must Agree Unanimously on Decisions to Approve

8.0.1.5 After the Review

8.0.1.6 Boards of Review Through Videoconferencing

8.0.2.0 Particulars for Tenderfoot Through Life Ranks

8.0.3.0 Particulars for the Eagle Scout Rank

8.0.3.1 Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday

8.0.3.2 Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances

8.0.4.0 Appealing a Decision

8.0.4.1 Filing and Processing an Appeal

8.0.4.2 Appeal Board Must Research the Case

8.0.5.0 Venturing Boards of Review

8.0.5.1 Purpose and Timeliness of Venturing Boards of Review

8.0.5.2 Conducting the Venturing Board of Review

8.0.5.3 What Should Be Discussed at a Venturing Board of Review

8.0.5.4 Unanimous Vote Is Required for Approval of Venturing Advancement

8.0.5.5 After the Venturing Board of Review

8.0.6.0 Particulars for the Discovery and Pathfinder Ranks

8.0.7.0 Particulars for the Summit Rank

8.0.7.1 Initiating Summit Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances

8.0.7.2 Summit Board of Review Beyond the 21st Birthday

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 7 - The Merit Badge Program

NOTE: A related conversation took place several weeks ago

7.0.0.1 The Benefits of Merit Badges

7.0.0.2 About the Application for Merit Badge (“Blue Card”)

7.0.0.3 The Scout, the Unit Leader and the Merit Badge Counselor

7.0.1.0 Merit Badge Counseling Risk Management and Quality Control

7.0.1.1 Supervisory Qualifications and Certifications

7.0.1.2 Merit Badge Counselor Approvals

7.0.1.3 Qualifying and Registering as a Merit Badge Counselor

7.0.1.4 Approving Badges to be Counseled

7.0.1.5 Counselor Reregistration

7.0.1.6 Training for Counselors

7.0.2.0 Merit Badge Counselor Lists

7.0.2.1 Getting Started

7.0.2.2 Web-Based Counselor Lists

7.0.2.3 Unit Counselor Lists

7.0.2.4 Sources of Merit Badge Counselors

7.0.2.5 Venturing Consultants as Merit Badge Counselors

7.0.3.0 The Process of Counseling

7.0.3.1 Counseling Sessions and Certifying Completion

7.0.3.2 Group Instruction

7.0.3.3 Partial Completions

7.0.4.0 Merit Badge Miscellany

7.0.4.1 New Merit Badges

7.0.4.2 Revising Merit Badges

7.0.4.3 What to Do When Requirements Change

7.0.4.4 Discontinued Merit Badges

7.0.4.5 Earning Eagle-Required Merit Badges for Star or Life Rank

7.0.4.6 Once It Is Earned, It’s Earned

7.0.4.7 Recourse for Unearned Merit Badges

7.0.4.8 Unofficial Worksheets and Learning Aids

7.0.4.9 Merit Badge Opportunities With Non-Scouting Organizations or Businesses

7.0.4.10 Charging Fees for Merit Badge Opportunities

7.0.4.11 About Merit Badge Prerequisites

7.0.4.12 Online Merit Badge Classes

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 6 - Electronic Advancement Reporting

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 5 - Special Considerations

5.0.1.0 Advancement in Camp Settings

5.0.2.0 Extended Absence From Scouting

5.0.3.0 Lone Scouting

5.0.4.0 Youth From Other Countries

5.0.5.0 Religious Principles

5.0.6.0 Bestowing Posthumous Awards

5.0.7.0 Spirit of the Eagle Award

5.0.8.0 Using Technology-Based Tools in Advancement

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 4.3.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement in Venturing

Section 4.4.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement in Sea Scouts

NOTE: No discussion about other programs permitted. Discussions of Advancements in other programs will be discussed in other weeks

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 4.2.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement in Scouts BSA

4.2.0.1 Scouting Ranks and Advancement Age Requirements

4.2.1.0 Four Steps in Advancement

4.2.1.1 The Scout Learns

4.2.1.2 The Scout Is Tested

4.2.1.3 The Scout Is Reviewed

4.2.1.4 The Scout Is Recognized

4.2.1.5 After the Scout Is Tested and Recognized

4.2.2.0 [Currently Not Used]

4.2.3.0 Rank Requirements Overview

4.2.3.1 Active Participation

4.2.3.2 Demonstrate Scout Spirit

4.2.3.3 Service Projects

4.2.3.4 Positions of Responsibility

4.2.3.4.1 Positions Must Be Chosen From Among Those Listed

4.2.3.4.2 Meeting the Time Test May Involve Any Number of Positions

4.2.3.4.3 Meeting Unit Expectations

4.2.3.4.4 Meeting the Requirement in the Absence of Unit Expectations

4.2.3.4.5 When Responsibilities Are Not Met

4.2.3.4.6 “Responsibility” and “Leadership”

4.2.3.5 Unit Leader (Scoutmaster) Conference

4.2.3.6 Fulfilling More Than One Requirement With a Single Activity

NOTE: No discussion about other programs permitted. Discussions of Advancements in other programs will be discussed in other weeks

Now that the overwhelming consensus is that GtA should exist, and a substantial number of comments advocate for a "simplified" GtA, we move to thoughts and ideas on how to improve and simplify.

Please refrain from simply stating "The language stinks," "Too complex," or "Too ambiguous."

If you have a problem with the text, what is your solution/proposed language/proposed edits?

Section 4.1.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement in Cub Scouting

4.1.0.1 Delivering the Cub Scout Program

4.1.0.2 The Role of the Pack Committee

4.1.0.3 Who Approves Cub Scout Advancement?

4.1.0.4 “Do Your Best”

4.1.1.0 Cub Scout Ranks

4.1.1.1 Lion, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear

4.1.1.2 Webelos and Arrow of Light

NOTE: No discussion about other programs permitted. Discussions of Advancements in other programs will be discussed in later weeks

Hello, I'm Donald Daily here. I’m a Unit Commissioner in the Osceola District of the Central Florida Council. Many years ago, I served as the Council Commissioner in the Heart Mountain Council. About 20 years ago, I wrote an essay called Guardians of the Gate. I recently revised that essay to reflect changes in Scouting, particularly the inclusion of girls.

Guardians of the Gate.

Some of you appear to be standing guard at the gate. Like good guards, you are not letting anyone pass who does not have the correct password. When someone appears at the gate without the correct password, you send them away.

The treasure you believe you are guarding is the sacred advancement requirements. You feel you must guard the gate to ensure that no one advances unless they have not only met the requirements, but exceeded them, meeting 110 percent of them. Your watchword is, “We’ve got to be tough on advancement.”

The problem is, you’ve got your orders wrong. You’re guarding the wrong side of the gate.

The treasure is not behind the gate, but in front of it. The treasure is the character of the Scouts in our care. Your duty is not to prevent them from passing through, but to make sure as many as possible do pass through.

Advancement is a method—a tool we use in Scouting. It is not an end in itself. The purpose of the advancement system is to build a Scout’s confidence and self-esteem. A Scout learns something new, is tested in that skill, and is reviewed, then given advancement.

Whenever possible, the test should be a natural part of the unit’s program. For example, if the requirement is to cook a meal, the test should occur when it’s time to eat at a regular unit outing.

Remember, we are not authorized to add to or subtract from any requirements. The board of review is meant to reflect on the Scout’s experience in Scouting, not to retest them.

Advancement recognition should come as soon after the review as possible. Some of you may have heard that recognition can only be given once. I assure you, that is not true. Recognition can happen many times and should be given as often as possible.

Advancement is meant to be positive reinforcement for a Scout’s achievements. When done properly, it encourages further advancement and builds greater self-confidence.

So stand clear of the gate. Guard it no more. Gather the youth in your unit and lead them through the gate.

If you do this, the world will be a better place tomorrow.

Scoutbook users are reporting a significant issue with advancement imports following the transition from Scoutbook Legacy to Scoutbook Plus.

Previously, users could import advancement records directly through Scoutbook Legacy, including files exported from summer camp management systems such as ScoutingEvent and Tentaroo. In Scoutbook Plus, imports now require a pipe-delimited text file, but the available export option from ScoutingEvent is a CSV file, and simply converting the file format does not resolve the problem. Compounding the issue, the advancement import feature has been removed from Scoutbook Legacy, leaving users without a viable bulk-import solution.

The problem is particularly acute following summer camp, where units may have thousands of advancement records to process. Scoutbook representatives have acknowledged the issue, stating that restoring import functionality in Scoutbook Plus is under consideration, but they do not know if or when that will be done.

UPDATE

> "An issue that prevented the Feature Assistant Extension for Chrome and Firefox from being able to upload a Merit Badge csv file produced by Black Pug has been fixed. Legacy Scoutbook will continue to be used to import Merit Badge csv files until support is ready in Scoutbook Plus. You must have extension version 0.49.0.15. If you do not see the MB Import link on the unit page in Legacy Scoutbook, try a hard refresh (SHIFT+REFRESH) or an Incognito wnidow. Note: In Chrome, click the 3 dots on the upper right of the Chrome window, select Extensions → Manage Extensions then click Update to get version 0.49.0.15 of the extension."

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DEADLINE: Videos due Wednesday, June 18!

Calling all Scout troops!

This Fourth of July, Scouting America is teaming up with CNN for a special video tribute — and we want your troop in it!

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Scouts have the chance to thank our military service members directly. Your video could be part of a national story seen across the country.

We’re looking for troops in: Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

How to film your video:

• Use a cell phone — set it to 4K if you can

• Record horizontally (turn your phone sideways)

• Start by saying: “We are Troop XXX from CITY, STATE”

• Then add something fun, or a big thank-you to our military service members!

Send your video to: scoutsbsachair@scouting.org

Show your Scout spirit and help us honor those who serve. Let’s make America proud!