![]() Together they lead to mission fulfillment. As watchful leaders, either adult or youth, we lend assistance as called for and encourage members to help each other according to their abilities.įrom Cub Scouting through Venturing and Sea Scouts, we put the methods to work. As they do this, we must recognize each young person’s unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. Though much is done individually at their own pace, youth often work together in groups to focus on advancement at Cub Scout den meetings, for example, or participate in a Scouts BSA camp out or Sea Scout cruise. Rather, it is a joint effort involving the adult leaders, the youth members, other volunteers such as merit badge counselors or Venturing consultants, and the family. Though certainly goal-oriented, advancement is not a competition. We know we are on the right track when we see youth accepting responsibility, demonstrating self-reliance, and caring for themselves and others when they learn to weave Scouting ideals into their lives and when we can see they will be positive contributors to our American society. Success is achieved when we fulfill the BSA Mission Statement and when we accomplish the aims of Scouting: character development, citizenship training, leadership, and mental and physical fitness. The retention of Scouting skills and knowledge is important, of course but for retention to take place, it will be because Scouting skills and knowledge are used in our programs. They come to realize they can learn and do other similar things. As Scouts learn skills and are tested on them, and then reviewed and recognized, they develop confidence. For example, learning how to tie a knot, plan a menu, swim, or administer first aid may turn out to be critical in one’s life, but they are secondary to the goal of personal growth that comes with learning. Learning Scout skills and concepts through active participation is a vehicle for personal growth, but it is not the primary goal. Age-appropriate surmountable hurdles are placed before members, and as they face these challenges they learn about themselves and gain confidence. The concern is for total, well-rounded development. Scouting skills-what a young person learns to do-are important, but not as important as the primary goal of personal growth achieved through participating in a unit program. A well-rounded and strong unit program takes advantage of these kinds of opportunities, using them to improve retention through practical application. For example, a Scout plays games that feature the skills, teaches other Scouts, and perhaps practices the skills in “real-life” outdoor experiences. In Scouting, after a requirement has been passed, the Scout is placed in practical situations that build retention through repeated use of skills. It is important to note, as with any educational opportunity, a rank or award is not the end of the learning process. Advancement should be a natural outcome of a well-rounded unit program, rich in opportunities to work toward the ranks. Rushing a Scout through requirements to obtain a badge is not the goal. For example, youth may read about first aid, hear it discussed, and watch others administer it, but they will not learn it until they practice it. This is the case from the time a member joins and then moves through the programs of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing or Sea Scouts.Įxperiential learning is the key: Exciting and meaningful activities are offered, and education happens. ![]() Members learn and develop according to a standard. Advancement Is Based on Experiential LearningĮverything done to advance-to earn ranks and other awards and recognition-is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons. It is one of several methods designed to help unit leadership carry out the aims and mission of the Boy Scouts of America. It Is a Method-Not an End in ItselfĪdvancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. It works best when it is built into a unit’s program so that simply participating leads to meaningful achievement and recognition-and to a continually improving readiness for more complex experiences. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.Īdvancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank and is the method by which we promote and encourage the ongoing involvement and commitment that keeps members coming back for more. Scouts are recognized and rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence. Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. Scouts plan their own advancement and progress at their own pace as they meet each challenge.
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