Scout Ranks Advancement in Troop 2
Scouting offers a sequence of rank advancements that mark growth in skills, knowledge, and leadership. The Scout ranks are as follows: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle. When he joins the troop, each boy first becomes a member of Troop 1½, where he works toward the Scout rank.
Both at troop meetings and through its outdoor program, Troop 2 teaches the skills and knowledge needed for rank advancement. Our outdoor program includes camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, snow sports, rock climbing, cycling, fishing, swimming, and many other activities that contribute to rank advancement. We often practice specific skills at troop meetings, and we offer additional programs to teach specific merit badges such as swimming, canoeing, first aid, and emergency preparedness. The Scouts learn about nutrition and how to cook. They learn about citizenship in the community, nation, and world. There is an emphasis on both teamwork and self-reliance, and the Scouts learn leadership skills as they take on positions of increasing responsibility within the troop.
For each rank, the Scout works with a rank advisor who is an Assistant Scoutmaster with the troop. That is the person to contact with questions.
As part of the “Scout Spirit” requirement for each rank, the Scout is required to satisfy the Troop 2 attendance requirements during the preceding semester.
The Troop 2 Attendance Policy can be found here:
We recommend that each Scout carry a checklist of requirements for his next rank so that he can collect signatures when opportunities arise. After each new signature, he should scan or photograph the page as a backup in case the original is lost.
Handy checklists of the requirements for each rank can be found in the Scout handbook or at the website below. It is suggested that your print the pages at about 150% scale (if possible) to get the page-size images.
http://www.wdboyce.org/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=173216
SCOUT
During his time in Troop 1½, the boy learns the Scout Oath and Law, the meaning of Scout ranks and awards, basic knots, safety with fire, and other essential Scout skills and knowledge. Each boy works at his own pace to complete the requirements needed to “graduate” from Troop 1½ and earn the Scout rank. The final requirement is to meet with the Scoutmaster. While in Troop 1½, the Scouts do not participate in campouts, and no uniform is required.
SCOUT RANK ADVISOR:
Bob Gunter bobgunter@verizon.net
TENDERFOOT
Scouts working toward the rank of Tenderfoot in Troop 2 are called “Recruits.” They participate in troop meetings, campouts, and other troop activities as members of a regular patrol but occasionally meet separately to work on the Tenderfoot requirements. Each Recruit will learn camping and cooking skills, safe hiking practices, basic first aid, more advanced rope skills, and safe use of sharp tools such as a knife or ax. He is asked to participate in a plan for improving physical fitness. The Scout must perform at least one hour of service through one or more approved service projects.
A handy checklist of the Tenderfoot rank requirements can be found here:
Tenderfoot Requirements Checklist >
TENDERFOOT RANK ADVISOR:
Ofer Grossman omglaw@gmail.com
SECOND CLASS
Scouts working toward the rank of Second Class learn more advanced camping and hiking skills, how to safely build a fire and put it out, and how to cook in the outdoors. They demonstrate basic swimming skills and and more advanced first aid competence. They participate in a flag ceremony and a drug awareness program. Other requirements emphasize map and compass skills and how to wisely spend and save money. The Scout must participate in at least two additional hours of service through one or more approved service projects. Each Scout completes a “Mystery Hike” to demonstrate some of the skills he has learned.
A handy checklist of the requirements can be found here:
Second Class Requirements Checklist >
SECOND CLASS RANK ADVISORS:
Kevin Spiteri kevin.spiteri10@gmail.com
FIRST CLASS
Earning First Class requires more advanced skills and knowledge in many of the same areas as the preceding ranks: camping, cooking, first aid, swimming, citizenship, and hiking. The Scout learns how to deal with a variety of emergencies, how to navigate in the wilderness, and how to be safe and self-reliant in the outdoors. He studies native plants and learns about weather. He must participate in at least three additional hours of service through one or more approved service projects. Each Scout completes a “Mystery Camp” to demonstrate some of the skills he has learned.
A handy checklist of the requirements can be found here:
First Class Requirements Checklist >
First Class Requirements:
NAVIGATION 4a - Orienteering Course >
NATURE 5a - Identify 10 Native Plants >
Specific information about the Mystery Camp requirement is here:
FIRST CLASS RANK ADVISORS:
Steve Pruneau steve.pruneau@me.com
Stephan Corbel Stephancorbel@gmail.com
STAR
Advancement to Star Rank requires that the Scout earn six merit badges (four of which are among the 17 on the required list for Eagle). BSA offers over 130 merit badges in a broad range of subjects. Each one gives the Scout an introduction to the field and an opportunity to work with an adult counselor who has passion and expertise in the subject. While a First Class Scout, he must serve in a position of responsibility for at least 4 months (16 troop meetings), and he must demonstrate positive, responsible leadership in this position. He must participate in at least 6 additional hours of service through one or more approved service projects. In partial fulfillment of the BSA requirement to “demonstrate Scout spirit,” the Scout must earn the Camp Spirit Award at a summer camp he attends with the troop.
A handy checklist of the Star rank requirements can be found here:
A list of merit badges can be found here:
http://www.scouting.org/meritbadges.aspx >
An application for advancement to Star rank is here:
Application for advancement to Star rank
STAR RANK ADVISOR:
Andrew Fresquez afresq@hotmail.com
LIFE
Advancement to Life Rank requires that the Scout earn five more merit badges for a total of 11, including any three additional badges from the required list for Eagle. While a Star Scout, he must serve in a position of responsibility for at least 6 months (24 troop meetings), and he must demonstrate positive, responsible leadership in this position. He must participate in six additional hours of service through one or more approved service projects. In partial fulfillment of the BSA requirement to “demonstrate Scout spirit,” the Scout must earn an additional Camp Spirit Award at a summer camp he attends with the troop (for a total of 2).
A handy checklist of Life rank requirements can be found here:
LIFE RANK ADVISOR:
Tim Hall tim@in2deepdiving.com
EAGLE SCOUT
BSA’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, is considered a distinctive achievement that denotes strong leadership skills, extensive knowledge in many fields, persistence and responsibility in task completion, and excellent character. Advancement to Eagle Rank requires that the Scout earn a total of 21 merit badges, including 14 from the required list ((a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in Society, (e) Citizenship in the World, (f) Communication, (g) Cooking, (h) Personal Fitness, (i) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (j) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (k) Personal Management, (l) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (m) Camping, and (n) Family Life). While a Life Scout, he must serve in a position of responsibility for at least 6 months (24 troop meetings), and he must demonstrate positive, responsible leadership in this position. In addition, the Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in completing a substantive service project for a religious institution or school or the community. In partial fulfillment of the BSA requirement to “demonstrate Scout spirit,” the Scout must earn an additional Camp Spirit Award at a summer camp he attends with the troop (for a total of 3).
Project workbook: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/eagle-scout-workbook/
Eagle Application: https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/512-72822c-Eagle-Scout-Application_WEB.pdf
Steps in the process of becoming an Eagle Scout can be found here:
Prepare to become an Eagle Scout >
EAGLE RANK ADVISOR:
Gerald Bender gbender23@yahoo.com