Advancement

Recently the Boy Scouts of America changed how units and councils can obtain the NOVA and Supernova Award recognition items. The items available are listed below by each vendor. Unfortunately, our Council can no longer provide these materials, and ordering through these vendors is the only way to obtain patches, medals, and pins for these...

On November 1, the Boy Scouts of America launched the Citizenship in Society merit badge, its newest merit badge for youth in the Scouts BSA program (ages 11-17). In case you’ve heard rumors or seen early reports on this merit badge before its release, let us offer some clarity on what the Citizenship in Society...

Through the generosity of the Adams County Community Foundation’s Shirley Smith Youth Service Fund, prospective Eagle Scouts now have a new potential source of funding for their Eagle Scout Service Projects. Eagle Scout candidates from anywhere in the New Birth of Freedom Council can apply for up to 75% of the cost to do their...

From the National Venturing Committee The National Venturing Committee is pleased to announce that, effective immediately, the Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit awards will be referred to as Venturing ranks to improve consistency among the different programs within Scouting. The Quest, Ranger, and Trust Awards will remain as part of the Venturing program as specialty...

Scouting’s Journey to Excellence (JTE) is the BSA’s planning, performance and recognition program designed to encourage and reward the success of our units.  It is meant to encourage excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA. The National Council announced updates to the unit scorecards for 2020 that take into consideration...

On August 30, the national council made updates to their COVID-19 FAQ. The updates include several advancement items as they relate to the Scouts, BSA program. Updates include: Extension of rank requirement modifications for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. Updates to Swimming requirements for Second and First Class ranks. Update to Camping merit...

As we head into the fall, Scouts BSA leaders need to make sure new Scouts BSA Scouts that are between ages 16 and 18 take the appropriate steps to apply for an Eagle extension. As a reminder, Scoutmasters, Committee Chairman, Charter Organization Representatives, and Unit Advancement Chairman play an important part in the extension request....

One of the characteristics of Scouting—for over a hundred years—is that no matter when you join, however long you stay, or the rank you attain, the Scouting experience prepares you for life. And for some, the pinnacle of their Scouting experience is achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout. The policies of the BSA indicate...

It’s a bit like learning there’s enough Dutch oven peach cobbler for everyone to have seconds. It seems too good to be true, but you will absolutely take it. The BSA announced today that it will make Scoutbook subscriptions free to all BSA units beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Units that already use Scoutbook won’t be...