Advancement is an integral part of a quality program, helping young people make commitments to achieve higher goals while building character in the process.
Merit Badge Updates 2016 - Cooking, Lifesaving, Photography, Snow Sports, learn more
Mandatory Internet Advancement Process - learn about it.
Supplement to the 2015 Advancement Guide - download it.
The Advancement System of the Boy Scouts of America is intended to be an EDUCATIONAL PROCESS that will help a youth better understand and be prepared for numerous life circumstances such as religious commitment, civic responsibilities, leadership, career development, social skills, values, personal ethics, etc. The requirements become more detailed and sophisticated as the youth matures. This is the same experience a young person has as he goes through the educational system in school.
There are strict guidelines that BSA has set forth that need to be followed. In normal circumstances, a boy should do what is required, no more, no less. If the topic piques the boy interest, he will on his own do more than what is required.
As adults, it is our obligation not to shortchange a youth's education or development of skills by allowing shoddy or incomplete work. Please allow a boy to LEARN by requesting that he fulfill all requirements. "All requirements" includes the very important show Scout Spirit which means the boy is living the Scout Oath and Law in his every day life!!!
to go directly to Internet Advancement login page
to see Advancement-related forms