Fishawack District Boy Scout Advancement Update September 2016

Transcription

1 Fishawack District Boy Scout Advancement Update September 2016

2 OVERVIEW OF CHANGES! Changes took effect January 1, 2016! Scout became a Rank.! Increased emphasis on service. Service is now a requirement for Tenderfoot thru Eagle.! Increased emphasis on physical fitness. New Tenderfoot thru First Class requirements encourage Scouts to develop life long physical fitness activity habits.! Increased emphasis on camping and camping skills. Increased number of nights camping for Second Class and First Class.! Duty to God is incorporated into requirement to show Scout Spirit.! Realignment of some Tenderfoot thru First Class requirements.! Some navigation requirements allow use of electronic GPS.

3 TRANSITION TIMING Beginning work in the new requirements determined by the Scout s joining date or current rank as of January 1, For 2016:! Boys joining on or after Jan. 1, 2016 use the new requirements.! Boys who have joined prior to Jan. 1, 2016:! Who are working on the Scout badge MAY continue to work on the existing requirements, but MUST convert to the new requirements upon completion of the Scout badge.! Who are working on Tenderfoot through First Class MAY continue to work on the existing requirements, but MUST convert to the new requirements upon attaining First Class.! Who have completed First Class MAY complete the rank they are currently working on in the existing requirements, but then MUST convert to the new requirements for subsequent ranks.! For 2017: All Scouts MUST use the new requirements regardless of rank.

4 FREQUENTLY ASKED?? Go to Q. Is there a definitive deadline after which ranks cannot be earned using the current requirements? A. Yes. That deadline is Dec. 31, That is the last day to sign off requirements using the old requirements. Q. Suppose a youth is in the middle of a rank on Dec. 31, 2016, and has to finish that rank using the new requirements. Will he need to start over and repeat all of the requirements for that rank? A. No, not all only new requirements and any new elements of requirements. If the wording of a completed rank requirement has not changed and that requirement was signed off on or prior to Dec. 31, 2016, the approval should be transferred to the corresponding new requirements. For Tenderfoot through First Class ranks, this may include approvals that were previously listed in a different rank. When the rank in progress has new requirements (or new elements of requirements) that were not in a previously completed rank under the current (2015) requirements, those new requirements or elements will need to be completed in 2017 and beyond.

5 FREQUENTLY ASKED?? Go to Service Q. Is there a greater emphasis on service in the new requirements? A. Yes. In keeping with the Scout Oath and helping other people at all times, a service aspect is now a requirement for each rank except the Scout rank one hour for Tenderfoot, two hours for Second Class, and three hours for First Class. The total hours for Star and Life remain the same, at six hours each. Note that half of the six hours for Life rank must be conservation-related; this reflects an increased emphasis on important matters like the outdoors and stewardship of Earth. Scout Spirit Q. A new element of Scout spirit ( Tell how you have done your duty to God ), is alongside the elements of living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in the new requirements. Does this mean troop leaders need to examine and evaluate a Scout s duty to God, and then determine whether it is sufficient by some standard? A. No, not at all. The troop leader is there to listen to the Scout tell about how he believes he has done his duty (the Scout s duty) that is the requirement. The idea is for the Scout to have a self-reflection about belief and reverence. The requirement does not indicate that a discussion or a two-way conversation should take place. For the purpose of the requirement, the boy is simply to tell his leader how he believes he has done his duty to God as defined by himself and his family. Nothing more is required. The telling might be a very brief statement, depending on the Scout and the family s beliefs and on where the Scout is in his development of understanding of such matters, which will evolve as the Scout matures.

6 MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS!The merit badge counselor reports are issued every quarter. The list should be only held by the Scoutmaster or his designee. It should not be distributed within the troop.!scoutmasters and/or their designee should decide whether a Scout is eligible/ready to pursue a particular badge. Keep age and experience in mind so there will more likely be a positive experience.!some counselors prefer a certain method of communication ( vs. phone, or personal cell phone vs. work phone). Please check the list.!scouts themselves should make the contact with the Counselor.!If a counselor seems to be unresponsive, please notify the Merit Badge Dean.!Encourage parents and leaders to become MB Counselors. Fishawack currently has 17 badges with no counselors.!

7 EAGLE SCOUT ISSUES! MUST use these documents:!current Eagle Service Project Workbook!Current Eagle Scout Application!Fishawack District Eagle Rank Advancement Process (available through Council Advancement Website and Fishawack District Website)!Contact District Chair regarding project concept before submitting Proposal is OK!Submit Navigating the Eagle Scout Service Project to beneficiary!be sure to follow Council Procedures on submitting paperwork.

8 EAGLE SCOUT WORKBOOK ISSUES Completed Proposal section of Workbook to be submitted via as a PDF under 5 MB in size. Do not send as JPG files. Reduce resolution of photos.!contact page B should be as complete as possible, except for District Approval. Use of Project Coach is strongly recommended.!include in the budget the cost of goods and services to be donated.!fund Raising Application is often required. If under $2500 budget, Unit approves.!reference the Guide to Safe Scouting for potentially dangerous tasks (i.e. power saws)!district Eagle Advisor will review the Project Report if requested before it is submitted to Council.

9 SPECIAL NEEDS SCOUTS May include alternative requirements and/or registration beyond the age of 18 for Scouts with disabilities or special needs. Basic information is available online:!national BSA: Path Council: needs/!patriots Path Council has Special Needs representatives available!fishawack District has a Special Needs representative available Special Needs registration, if indicated, should not be done at the last minute A heads up for any Eagle Candidate with Special Needs is appreciated.

10 LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCOUTS: Merit Badge Introduction Workshop November 5 FOR ADULTS: University of Scouting December 3 Educational information is also available online:!national BSA: out video Guardian of the Gate!Patriots Path Council:

11 RESOURCES!BSA Guide to Advancement printed copy (current 2015, 2017 planned)! BSA Guide to Advancement online PDF downloadable, or searchable available at: Requirements Book printed copy, issued annually!advancement News periodic from National BSA Advancement Team. (see last slide)!patriots Path Council Advancement Website: BSA Advancement Website: BE VERY CAREFUL when using unofficial websites.

12 PPC ADVANCEMENT WEBPAGE!BSA Guide to Advancement printed copy (current 2015, 2017 printing is planned)! BSA Guide to Advancement online PDF downloadable, or searchable available at: Requirements Book printed copy, issued annually!advancement News periodic from National BSA Advancement Team.!Patriots Path Council Advancement Website: BSA Advancement Website: BE VERYCAREFUL when using unofficial websites.

13 PPC EAGLE ADVANCEMENT WEBPAGE!BSA Guide to Advancement printed copy (current 2015, 2017 printing is planned)! BSA Guide to Advancement online PDF downloadable, or searchable available at: Requirements Book printed copy, issued annually!advancement News periodic from National BSA Advancement Team.!Patriots Path Council Advancement Website: BSA Advancement Website: BEVERYCAREFUL when using unofficial websites.

14 FOR MORE INFORMATION the National Advancement Team your District Advancement Chair Subscribe to Advancement News send an to Put 'Subscribe' in the Subject line and in the body of the put only your: Address, Name, and Council Name