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...

  Special Counselor Orientation July 7  at 7:30pm to 9pm via Zoom Conducted by Ann Perrone, National Service Territory Chair for Diversity and Inclusion Orientation session for those applying or preparing to present the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge. This 90-minute session includes an overview of the material, suggestions on ways to facilitate this badge,...

Registration for Winter and Early Spring Merit Badge Colleges are currently open for interested Scouts.  Merit Badge Colleges are typically held over two weekends with Scouts completing requirements between the offered courses and in some cases completing course work after the two in-person events are held.   Colleges for 2022 are currently planned to be...

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...

Time is ticking…To become a member of this year’s Eagle Scout Class and a part of history, Scouts, BSA who have completed their Board of Review between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022, will receive an invitation along with their Scoutmaster to attend the dinner on Tuesday, November 22, at the Hershey Lodge this...

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....