Rank Advancement Program Overview 

New Scout Program : (New Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class ranks)

•  Our goal is to provide Scouts a proven path for advancing to First Class rank while integrating them into the Troop and BSA practices.    Since rank advancement in Boy Scouts is not age dependent, each Scout has the option to advance multiple ranks at any age.  In addition to seeking fun and adventure, we've found that most New Scouts join us very eager to advance ranks and will thrive if given a path they can take to do so.  Every year in our New Scout Program, we provide our Scouts a progression of activities that are offered within our scheduled Troop meetings/outings in the fall/winter/spring in a way that compliments activities that can be completed at summer camp.   Under the guidance of our older Scouts and Adult Leaders, the Scouts that participate in these activities can advance ranks while also being organized into Patrols and making friends in our Troop.  Each Scout decides how far and fast they would like to progress, so they choose which of the planned group activities they would like to participate in and complete each year; however,  the planned group activities we have in this program follow the recommended BSA sequence and timing such that for the Scouts that choose to participate and complete all of them, as well as complete their individual requirements along the way, they can progress with the efficiency required to advance from New Scout rank to First Class within one year.  Achieving these rank advancements is a great result that effectively integrates New Scouts into our Troop family as well as builds their excitement and motivation for the next phase of their Scouting  journey !

  • • This includes being offered in-Troop Eagle required merit badges such as Cooking and Camping.

Advanced Scout Program : (Star, Life ranks)

• Our goal is to further develop Scouts to plan their progress and to be leaders of self and others.  At this point in their journey, Scouts have already been exposed to leadership and know how to rank advance which makes them ready to use and further develop these capabilities.  Although there is a shorter list of required tasks a Scout must complete to achieve Star or Life rank, many require more time and individual commitment to complete.  As a result, Scouts may branch out more in the way they complete these tasks.  During our Troop meetings and outings, Scout participants will work in peer groups with guidance from Adult Leaders who will encourage them to participate and lead Troop outings, take Troop positions of responsibility, find opportunities to complete tasks together as well as provide support for their plans when needed.

  • • This  includes being offered in-Troop Eagle required merit badges such as Citizenship of the Community, Personal Fitness, Personal Management.

Eagle Support Program :

• Our goal is to help our Scouts develop the personal organizational and leadership skills they need to achieve Eagle Rank.  Completing the tasks to achieve Eagle rank requires the highest level of individual commitment and leadership from a Scout, primarily due to the Eagle project they must complete.  While working with our Scoutmaster group on their other Eagle rank requirements, Life Scouts will also receive guidance on Eagle project selection best practices.  After a Life Scout has selected a project to work on, the level of support they will benefit from depends on several factors including; the skills they have, their project complexity, overall familiarity with the Eagle project process, and the help they are soliciting and receiving on their own.  In alignment with BSA practices, we have found the best way to help them succeed via a support program is by having our Scoutmaster offer to set up a team comprised of the Life Scout, an Adult family member that they designate (typically a parent or guardian), and an assigned Eagle Coach from our Scoutmaster group.  

With the combined mentorship from an Eagle Coach in the troop and their Adult family member at home, each Life Scout will learn in greater depth how to organize, plan, make decisions, solve problems, and balance priorities while completing their requirements as well as engage and lead a larger team of helpers from their family, other Troop members, Community members, and our Council as needed.  All of our Life Scouts who have participated fully in this program offering have successfully completed their Eagle project, Board of Review, and Court of Honor !

• • Eagle Scout Info and Forms can be found on our BSA Council Website :  https://baylakesbsa.org/resources/eagle-scout-information/

*Click Here* to see a complete list of recent Troop 12 Eagle Scouts