Advancement

Scouting America Advancement Program

The Advancement Program on Scouting America is designed to help youth grow in skill, character, leadership, and citizenship through a structured yet flexible series of achievements.  It provides a clear path of progression, while encouraging Scouts to learn at their own pace, explore new interest, and develop lifelong values.

Purpose and Philosophy

Advancement is one of the eight methods of Scouting, serving as a framework for growth rather than a competition.  Each requirement represents an opportunity for learning and personal development.The goal is not to simply check off boxes-but to help Scouts gain confidence, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment through experience and effort.

Age-Based Progression:

  • Cub Scouts (Grades K-5): Advancement is rank-based, with age-appropriate Adventures that build fundamental Scouting skills, teamwork, and values.  Each rank encourages "learning by doing" with family and den involvement.
  • Scouts BSA (Ages 11-17): Advancement is individual and achievement-oriented, progressing through ranks from Scout to Eagle.  Requirements emphasize outdoor skillsm service, leadership, and mastery of Scout Spirit.
  • Venturing & Sea Scouts (Ages 14-20): Advancement focuses on leadership, specialized skills, and high-adventure experiences, leading to awardssuch as the Summit or Quartermaster.
  • Adult Recognition: Adult leader are encouraged to pursue training awards that recognize their commitment to youth development and Scouting excellence.

The Scout's Path of Growth

Advancement combines skill-building, service, leadership, and reflection:

  1. Learn: A Scout discovers, practices and demonstrates new skills.
  2. Test: The Scout shows competence to a leader or mentor.
  3. Review: The Scout reflects on progress through boards of review or leader conferences.
  4. Recognize: Achievement is celebrated promptly, reinforcing motivation and pride.

Why Advancement Matters

Through the Advancement Program, Scouts develop perseverance, self-reliance, and a habit of setting and achieving goals.  Each badge earned is a symbol of effort and growth-building character and preparing young people to be ethical, capable citizens who live by the Scout Oath and Law.

 

Rank Resources

Jersey Shore Council Advancement Guidlines

Cub Scout Rank Requirements

Scouts BSA Rank Requirements

Jersey Shore Council Eagle Scout Advancement Resources 

Eagle Scout Extension Process

 

Personal Safety Awareness & "Proctect Yourself Rules"

Scouting America is committed to creating safe environments for Scouts and leaders. Child abuse is an uncomfortable topic but an important one for us to cover to ensure the safety and well-being of our Scouts and leaders. Scouting America has partnered with subject-matter experts from the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation to present the Personal Safety Awareness Series.  The primary goal of the Personal Safety Awareness videos is to educate youth about what to do if they experience abusive behavior, educate them about safe and unsafe situations, and encourage them to go to a parent or another trusted adult for help when needed.   

Before reviewing these videos, Scouts should complete the exercises in the “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” pamphlet with their parent or guardian.  This pamphlet can be found in the front of the Scout Handbook. 

For Scouts BSA: 

  • Scouts must watch the Personal Safety Awareness videos for the Scout and Star ranks. 
  • These videos cover topics like digital safety, bullying, and abuse. 

For Cub Scouts: 

  • The Cyber Chip has been replaced with the "Protect Yourself Rules" Adventure for all Cub Scout ranks (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light).
  • Lions do not have this requirement.

 

To access the videos for Scouts BSA and Cub Scouting please click the link below.

https://www.scouting.org/training/youth/scouts-bsa/

 

STEM Awards

What is STEM is Scouting?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-the four disciplines that drive innovation and problem-solving in the modern world.  

In Scouting, STEM activities encourage Curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning.  Scouts explore how things work, experiment with ideas, and connect classroom knowledge to real-world challenges- all while living the Scout Oath and Law.

in 2025, the National program ended, many local councils have chosen to continue STEM programming independently.

Find out information on Jersey Shore Council's STEM  program at https://www.jerseyshorescouts.org/STEM

 

Guide for Merit Badge Counselors

The merit badge counselor is a key player in Scouting America's advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a merit badge counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a young man’s curiosity about that particular topic. By serving as a merit badge counselor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so that Scouts can explore a topic of interest.

If you are not yet a merit badge counselor, it is easy to become a volunteer. You will need to register with Scouting America, through your local council. This entails contacting the local council, then obtaining, completing, and turning in the “Adult Application.” The council will then process the application. (Every applicant is screened.)

In order to register, merit badge counselors are expected to complete Scouting America's Safeguarding Youth Training. This training can be done through Scouting America’s Online Learning Center . Scouting America seeks to create a safe environment for young people and adult leaders to enjoy the program and related activities.  Safeguarding Youth Training helps preserve that environment.  All Merit Badge Counselors are entered into Scoutbook where scout families have acccess to contact them.

For more information, consult the Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, No. 512-065  or Merit Badge Counselor Information, No. 34405 . To learn more about the merit badge program, see section 7 of the Guide to Advancement, “The Merit Badge Program”

 

Merit Badge Program

Before you can start a Merit Badge, you must verify with your Scoutmaster or Unit Leader who assigns the blue cards that you can start a Merit Badge.  

As it is stated at the front of the blue card: "I have discussed this merit badge with this scout and recommended at least one merit badge counselor." If your Unit is allowing you to sign up for a "Merit Badge Fair", that would indicate their approval.

MB Counselor List- The most up to date JSC Merit Badge Counselor list can be accessed through your scoutbook account.   You can search by town or by badge or you can run an excel file of the entire list(screen shots below). 

 

National Links

File Name Description
Eagle Scout Extension Process Download