BSA Ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life, Eagle Rank Requirements: Detailed in the back of each scout’s Boy Scout Handbook. As a scout completes the requirements, they are signed off in the book by a senior scout, First Class of above. Scouts should make copies of these pages periodically in case the book is lost or damaged. Sign-off Procedure: Up through 1st Class, most rank requirements are scouting skills. (There are no merit badge requirements until Star rank.) These scouting skills requirements are signed off by First Class or higher ranked scouts in Troop 31.  Sign-off for Second Class and First Class should be completed by a Scout Star or higher.  Siblings cannot sign off for one another.  The skills can be learned and demonstrated with a parent, friend or non-Troop 31 scout, but only a Troop 31 senior scout or scoutmaster should sign off.

 

Merit Badges: Before beginning a merit badge, the scout should consult with the Scoutmaster. The scout should not approach a merit badge counselor or begin work on the badge until he has a blue card signed by the Scoutmaster. The scoutmaster may recommend a counselor to the scout or he might suggest that the scout contact the Advancement Chair for the list of counselors for that badge.

 

Service hours and Troop Participation: There are many service hour and camping participation requirements. The best way to record these is for the scout to log them in those sections in the back of their scout book as they are completed. Once the hours and participation are verified, a Star or higher scout can sign off on the specific requirement.

 

Scoutmaster Conference: Every rank advancement requires a scoutmaster conference after the majority of the other requirements are completed. In Troop 31, for ranks up to 1st class, any one of the assistant Scoutmasters can do the conference. For ranks of Star or higher, the Scoutmaster, or one of the assistant Scoutmasters designated by him in advance, will do the conference. The scout should request with the scoutmasters to schedule the conference and should ensure that any materials needed in advance are provided to the Scoutmasters

 

Board of Review: For ranks of Tenderfoot through Life, a Board of Review by three Troop 31 adults is the final requirement in the rank advancement. The three adults cannot be scoutmasters. The Board will examine the scout’s records in his scout book, discuss what he has learned, what he likes about scouting and the troop, future goals, etc. Upon passing of the board of review, the scout will have officially advanced to the next rank. After completing a Scoutmaster conference, the scoutmasters will let the Advancement Chair know that there is a scout ready for a Board of Review. The scout should also let the Advancement Chair know that he is ready for a BOR.  Once the Board of Review is successfully completed, one of the adult volunteers will sign the Baord of Review line in the Scout’s book.

 

Court of Honor: Three times a year, the troop will hold Court of Honors to acknowledge rank advancements and earned merit badges. Although the rank advancements are awarded at the Court of Honor, the actual date that the rank was earned is the date of the board of review. Often, scouts will rush to complete requirements before a Court of Honor. While we appreciate a scout’s eagerness to advance, keep in mind that missing a Court of Honor deadline does not set them back until the next Court of Honor since any time requirement is measured from when he completed the Board of Review. Eagle Scout Requirements: There are some additional requirements for completing the Eagle Scout requirements. The Troop 31 Eagle Coordinator will work with Life Scouts to guide them in that process

 

Eagle Scout Requirements: There are some additional requirements for completing the Eagle Scout requirements. The Troop 31 Eagle Coordinator will work with Life Scouts to guide them in that process.