Rank Advancement

"The shape of the Scout badge signifies a Scout's ability to point the right way in life just as a compass does in the wilderness." -- Scout Handbook, P.31, 2009

The Boy Scouts are driven primarily by the older boys with adult guidance. This is unlike the cub scouts where adults take a leading role. The age of 11-12 is when the boys going to start making that transition, looking up to the older scouts, hopefully as role models. Methods of Scouting

  • Ideals

  • Advancement

  • Outdoor activities

  • Leadership

  • Patrol/squad method

  • Adult Association

  • Personal growth

  • Uniform

Scout rank reflects a scout’s seniority, maturity, capability, and duties. Rank advancing requires scouts to complete the rank requirements listed on the Boy Scout Handbook. Requirements of each rank include outdoor activities and classroom studying. The scope of requirements extend from individuals, patrols, to troop levels through the rank advancing.

The journey of young Scouts starts from the first three ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class. The major tasks of new scouts are having fun, taking care of themselves, and enhancing individual capabilities through learning the troop operations, fundamental outdoor skills like knot tying and first aid.

First Class, Star, and Life Scouts are more experienced and senior scouts. Usually they have already spent one or two years with the troop. They become part of the troop leadership and serve in troop positions. They also teach young scouts, and help them on different troop activities, like food buying, or tying the lashings for pioneer projects. They lead by example and learn through teaching.A Scout Master Conference which reviews all the Scout knowledge and skills is included in the last two steps of each rank's requirment. In order to advance to the next rank, each scout has to pass the Scout Master Conference. Scouts are encouraged to read the Scout Handbooks before reviews. The Scout Handbook is the reference book for scouting, and every Scout should be very familiar with all the contents in the book.

"Stars (of the Scout badge) also suggested a Scout's outdoor adventure." -- Scout Handbook, P.31, 2009

The biggest part of Scouting is attending Outings. Outings are where most requirements are signed off, and many requirements actually have to be completed at specific outing. Troop 622 outings provide scouts the opportunity of achieving some rank requirements through the hands-on field experiences. The following table lists the troop outings and accomplishments that scouts can complete in the outings.

* BSA requires that Counselors of ALL Aquatic related requirements and Merit Badges must have current Safe Swim Defense & Safety Afloat Training.