Advancement
About Advancement
As boys acquire skills and progress through the scouting program, they can achieve progressively higher ranks, with Eagle being the highest.. Scouts are given an initial rank of "scout", which has no requirements.. The "scout" rank badge features a brown fleur-de-leis with no eagle.
By completing rank requirements, boys can then advance to Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Rank requirements can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook; each scout should have his own copy of the Handbook.
Scouts are awarded new Rank Badges and Merit Badges at the Court of Honor, a special troop meeting held once or twice a year. The rank of Eagle is bestowed at a separate special award ceremony.
A complete set of Boy Scout rank requirements are maintained by the U.S. Scouting Service Project (USSSP). Click on one of the badges below to view the rank requirements on the USSSP site. Note: Eagle requirements are very specific, and include a considerable amount of documentation. On attaining the "Life" rank, scouts should receive a packet from the Scoutmaster with a complete Eagle checklist.
Where to Wear
The current rank badge is worn on the face of the left shirt pocket. When a scout attains a new rank, the previous rank badge is replaced.
About Merit Badges
What's a Merit Badge??
Merit Badges are special awards given to Scouts that have met specific requirements for a specific area of interest or study. Merit Badges are required to attain the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle. There are over 135 different merit badges that can be earned. A full list may be found on the Scouts BSA site.
When you receive a merit badge, be sure to keep the card that comes with it - this is your proof that you earned the merit badge.
Shown at left: Citizenship In The Nation Merit Badge.
Where to Wear
Merit Badges are worn on the Merit Badge Sash.
Merit Badge Program
Troop 62 provides an opportunity for the Scouts to learn scout skills and earn Eagle required merit badges. Historically, this has been a dedicated hour before the Troop meetings on Thursday. Due to COVID, these sessions have moved to a virtual environment at a time that works for the counselor and the Scouts. In the 6th grade year of the program, the Scouts work on scout skills with the objective of achieving First Class rank by early in their 7th grade year. Starting in 7th grade, the Scouts begin working on Eagle required merit badges. In the program, they will have the opportunity to complete all Eagle required merit badges except for the physical activity (Swimming, Biking, or Hiking).
Scouts can work faster than this program by taking Eagle required merit badges in other venues, such as a merit badge college or summer camp.
Merit Badge Counselors
Once a Scout has decided to earn a merit badge and spoken with the Scoutmaster, the next step is to find a merit badge counselor. The merit badge counselor works with the Scout to verify completion of the requirements. Many of the adult leaders in the Troop are certified merit badge counselors. The Scoutmaster or one of the other adult leaders can help you identify a merit badge counselor, including reaching out to other people in the area if there is not a certified counselor associated with the troop.
Merit Badge Pamphlet Lending Library
The Boy Scouts of America publishes a pamphlet for each merit badge. Each pamphlet provides background information about the subject area for that merit badge, as well as a complete list of requirements needed to earn the badge. If you would like to purchase a personal copy of a specific merit badge pamphlet, they're available at the Scout Shop for a nominal fee. However, if you'd like to borrow a pamphlet, Troop 62 maintains a Lending Library of merit badge pamphlets.
Availability. The entire Lending Library is usually available at our weekly Troop Meeting. Scouts may borrow pamphlets by signing them out through our Troop Librarian.
Donations. If you have completed a merit badge and have a personal copy of a pamphlet, we encourage you to donate it to our Lending Library - your generosity is appreciated!
Catalog. Here are the merit badge pamphlets that Troop 62 currently has available for you to borrow:
Archery
Archaology
Architecture
Atomic Energy
Auto Mechanics
Aviation
Backpacking
Basketry
Bird Study
Camping
Canoeing
Corn Farming
Chemistry
Citizenship in The Community
Citizenship in The Nation
Citizenship in The World
Collections
Communications
Computers
Consumer Buying
Cooking
Cycling
Dentistry
Drafting
Electricity
Environmental Science
Family Life
Electricity
Environmental Science
Family Life
Fingerprinting
First Aid
Fishing
Fish & Wildlife Management
Firemanship
Hiking
Home Repairs
Horsemanship
Insect Study
Indian Lore
Leatherwork
Lifesaving
Mammals
Metallurgy
Metalwork
Metals Engineering
Motorboating
Nature
Oceanography
Orienteering
Personal Fitness
Personal Management
Pets
Pioneering
Plant Science
Plumbing
Pottery
Public Health
Railroading
Reading
Reptile Study
Rifle Shooting
Rowing
Safety
Salesmanship
Scholarship
Shotgun Shooting
Signaling
Small-Boat Sailing
Snow Sports
Skiing
Soil & Water COnservation
Space Exploration
Surveying
Swimming
Theatre
Veterinary Science
Water Skiing
Weather
Whitewater
Wilderness Survival
Wood Carving
Woodwork
Zoology
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the service branch of the Boy Scouts.
Please see our OA Page for details on the Order of the Arrow.
Documentation
Each Rank Badge and Merit Badge comes with a card indicating when it was awarded. Scouts should keep these cards, and especially the merit badge "blue cards" that are given to them when merit badges are awarded, in a safe place, because District Advancement requires them when a Scout applies for the Rank of Eagle.