Advancements for Scouts is a very important component of the Scouting program.  These awards become a record of that Scout's achievements and also serve as motivation to earn more as they see their friends be recognized.  Immediate recognition is essential especially in Cub Scouts.

Whenever you purchase certain advancements, it is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that the awards be placed on an Advancement Form.  We often get questions as to why do we require this.  There are a number of valid reasons.

   1. The Advancement Form requires the signatures of members of the committee, board of review (for Boy Scouts), and the unit leader.  This ensures that the Scout has actually earned the award that they are requesting.  This also prevents a parent from just coming in to pick up the award without being approved by the unit.
   2. The record of this Scout's achievement is recorded into his personal file with his membership ID.  This will allow his records to be transferred to Boy Scouts when he graduates or to another pack or troop if he moves.
   3. We can make sure the Scout is registered in Scouting.  This may seem obvious but, on average, 5% of all active Scouts are not registered in Scouting.  Their application may not have made it to the office before they earned their first award, their name my be misspelled in our system, or they may have been accidentally dropped from the roster at recharter time.  All these factors can cause a gap in that Scout's tenure.  We check every youth advancement to make sure our Scouts are registered properly.  Advancement Reports help us accomplish that.
   4. Eagle Scouts:  When the Scout reached the rank of Eagle, they have to include a record of all their advancements and the dates they were earned.  If there are some missing or not accurately recorded, it can delay the Eagle Scout process and hold up that Scout' s recognition.  Also, if the Advancement Reports are properly recorded, the Scout can retrieve all his advancements to use as a part of the program for his Eagle Ceremony.

Historically, packs and troops have been allowed to "stockpile" advancements in order to present the awards to the Scouts and then send in an Advancement Report later to catch up the records.  This practice was wrought with problems as reports were not sent in, the dates on the reports did not coincide with the actual awarding of the badge, or not all the necessary awards that require a report were recorded.  A change was made by the Boy Scouts of America.

All rank advancements (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light, Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle, and Eagle Palms, along with the Varsity and Venturing awards), merit badges, and Webelos Activity Pins must be recorded on an Advancement Report under that Scout's names that earned the award.  You will not be allowed to purchase these items without a properly completed advancement report.  Other recognitions do not have to be included but it is recommended to put everything on the form by Scout.  This gives you a backup record of what the Scout has earned.

Our goal is to make sure every Scout gets properly recognized for their achievement.  Not just at the pack meeting or court of honor but in our records, too.  Thank you for your help with this goal.

Advancement Report Form