Advancement in Scouting emphasizes the growth a young person experiences as a result of participation in unit programs. Advancement is more than just the process by which youth progress from rank to rank in the Scouting program. Everything done to advance and earn these ranks, from joining until leaving the program, should be designed to help the young person have an exciting and meaningful experience.
A quality Scouting program strives for the following:
- Every young person achieves personal growth.
- Every one learns by doing.
- Youth members progress at their own rate.
- All young people receive recognition for their individual accomplishments.
- Advancement encourages Scouting ideals.
The Scout Advancement Program
- Merit Badges
- Merit Badge Counselor Training
- Merit Badge Counselor’s Guide to Online Merit Badges
- Internet Advancement
Internet Advancement allows you to enter youth advancements, awards, and merit badges and review, update, or add ranks, merit badges, and/or awards. The internet advancement site also allows you to access an online Review Unit Roster feature and Unit Advancement Summary, as well as print an Advancement Report with a Unit Awards Summary. It is a great way to ensure all Scouts are currently registered in your unit. - The Eagle Scout Rank website (National)
Latest information from the Guide to Advancement on the Eagle Scout Rank application process. Instructions, definitions and links to the Eagle Scout Rank Application and the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook are located here! - Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook information (National)
The new fillable Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook has been placed on Scouting.org. - Eagle questions? If you have questions about the Eagle Scout Rank process – projects, application, boards – please contact Emily Shanahan at 425-338-0380 or [email protected]
- Guide to Advancement
Find the latest version of the Guide to Advancement here - Cub Scout Advancement
The Cub Scout advancement plan provides fun for the cubs, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with cubs on advancement projects. - Scouts BSA Advancement
The Scout advancement plan allows the Scout to plan and progress at his own pace. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence, grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others. - Venturing Advancement
The Venturing program’s strength is its ability to meet the interests of all its members. Venturers typically have many interests or would like to have more. Because of that desire, and to provide a pathway to many different experiences, the Venturing awards program is offered. - Exploring Awards
Click here for information on Exploring awards. - Sea Scouting Awards
Click here for information on Sea Scouting awards. - Service Hours Reporting
Report your unit’s service projects including Eagle Scout projects.
To help you understand and implement an advancement program, BSA has published a pamphlet, Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures. The pamphlet is available at the both of Mount Baker Council’s service centers.
Recognition and Awards
Many awards are recognitions with which Scouts and adult Scouters are presented when others wish to honor them for accomplishments. Click here to go to the Nomination Forms page. Other awards are earned for tenure and training.
See the National website or the knots page for more.
The Unit Leader Award of Merit has replaced the Scoutmaster, Varsity Team Coach, and Venturing Crew Advisor award of merit programs. This new recognition has revised requirements and may be earned by Cubmasters as well.
In many cases, BSA represents awards with square knot insignia for uniform wear. Some of these knots are exclusively for adults, although several may be worn by youth members.
Council Court of Honor
Each spring, Mount Baker Council holds it annual Council Court of Honor. The Council Court of Honor is your chance to congratulate and honor the current year’s Silver Beaver Award recipients.
In addition to recognizing our new Silver Beavers, we will also honor recipients of other council awards. Venturing youth and adult volunteers who are active throughout the council receive the Venturing Leadership Award. The Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Awards are awarded only after being recommended by a council committee and approved by the National Council. These award is given to individuals who went above and beyond to save a life or take great action for others.
