In the Boy Scouts of America, a new Scout first earns the SCOUT badge, which is a sort of starter badge, after a Scout passes some basic requirements, like knowing the Scout Law and Oath, and the meaning of each (basically what they learned to earn their Arrow of Light award if they were in Cub Scouts and Webelos.
The first basic rank, on what we like to call the Trail to Eagle, is TENDERFOOT, in which the Scout learns a variety of things like basic first aid, safe hiking, and the basics of camping, and takes part in troop activities. The next ranks are SECOND CLASS AND FIRST CLASS, where they learn camping and cooking in more detail, more First Aid, more knots and then lashings, and other areas.
The next three ranks are STAR, LIFE and EAGLE. For these three, Scouts earn a certain number of merit badges for each, hold troop offices and perform service hours. Some merit badges for Eagle are required, while others can be chosen by the Scout. For Eagle candidates, besides earning merit badges, a service project must be performed for a church, school or community.
BEFORE RECEIVING each rank, a Scout must complete a Scoutmaster Conference and pass a Board of Review. A Board consists of usually three members of the troop committee, which asks questions about what he has learned in working on his next rank, but does not quiz him on requirements. Once a Scout has passed his Board, he has achieved his rank. He receives his badge, usually, at the next Court of Honor.
Merit badges are worked on with individual counselors. Scouts can work on badges by themselves with counselors by making an appointment (and taking a buddy with them), and work on them in a troop meeting setting when we work on a badge as a group. Troop 185 has counselors for all Eagle-required merit badges.
When a Scout is asked to wear a Class A uniform, we mean a full uniform: Boy Scout shirt, Boy Scout pants, Scout neckerchief and slide and Scout belt. For indoors, especially for a special function like a Court of Honor, A Scout should wear dress shoes. We ask that Scouts bring their uniforms to summer camp and district camporees, but they don't have to wear them all of the time. We also have troop T-shirts we wear sometimes ($5). When a Webelo receives his Arrow of Light award and crosses over to Boy Scouts, our troop presents him with his troop neckerchief, slide, and red loops (for the BSA shirt) as part of the ceremony.
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