The Importance of Advancement

Scouting has 3 aims:

• Character Building,
• Citizenship Training, and
• Personal Fitness

Cub Scouting uses seven methods to achieve Scouting’s aims.

A key method is advancement, which should be a major part of Pack and Den activities.

What is Advancement?

Advancement is one of the methods used to achieve Scouting’s aims – character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Everything a Cub Scout does to advance is designed to achieve these aims and aid in his personal growth. Remember that badges are simply a means to an end – not an end in themselves. 

Advancement is the process by which a boy progresses from badge to badge, learning new skills as he goes. The Cub Scout advancement program is designed to encourage the natural interests of a boy in a natural way. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting (Tiger Cub, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light) has its requirements. As a boy advances through the ranks, requirements are progressively more challenging, matching the increased skills and abilities of a boy as he grows older.

Advancement gives boys a means of measuring their progress. They learn skills based on a standard that Cub Scouting provides. Credit is given to the Tiger Cub or Cub Scout for each requirement when the adult partner, parents or guardian (or for Webelos Scouts, the Webelos Den Leader or Activity Badge Counselor) is satisfied that the boy has done his best. 

Advancement provides a satisfying means of recognizing boys for their progress. Boys have a ladder to climb with recognition at each step. Presenting awards to boys in meaningful ceremonies to recognize their accomplishments is a principle of advancement. 

Advancement is not a competition among boys. Each Cub Scout is encouraged to advance steadily and purposefully, setting his own goals with guidance from his family and leaders. The measurement for satisfying requirements is “do your best”, and that level can be different for each boy.

Advancement is a boy-family experience. Advancement gives families excellent opportunities to share growing experiences and challenging activities with their sons.

The advancement program, when implemented correctly, will:

• Help build a boy’s self-esteem,
• Help build his self reliance as he discovers that he is now old enough to assume certain responsibilities toward other people,
• Give a boy the positive recognition that he needs, and 
• Bring a boy and his family closer through the advancement activities that family members enjoy together.

Cub Scouting is a family oriented program. The organization recognized that it is the responsibility of parents and family to teach their children. Scouting is an available resource that can help families accomplish worthy goals while building and strengthening relationships among family members.

Family and Advancement
The advancement program is part of the fun of Cub Scouting. It is an excellent opportunity for families to get to know their sons better, and both family members and boys will get much satisfaction from it.

Parents and guardians should read the “Parent Guide” in their boy’s Scout Handbook so that they will understand the advancement program. Den Leaders should discuss achievements and electives or activity badges areas with families so that they fully understand the importance of following the requirements. Emphasize that the boy won’t be able to accomplish some of the achievements without the family’s help. 

Advancement helps for the family

• Review and explain the boy’s Scout Handbook with his parent or guardian. Tell families where they can buy the handbook.
• Ask each adult participant to read the “Parent Guide”.
• Explain that the boys should always bring their handbooks to den meetings so that their advancement progress can be recorded.
• Discuss the advancement plan, including badges, ranks, and the Arrow of Light Award. Review how the requirements help the boy advance.
• Explain the family’s role in working with the boy and approving projects. Note that the Webelos Den Leader or Activity Badge Counselor approves requirements for Webelos Scouts, rather than a family member.
• Emphasize that “Do Your Best” is the boys’ criterion for completing requirements, objectives or badges. 
• Explain what modifications might be necessary to help boys with special needs.
• Explain how recognition methods will be used to reinforce the boy’s advancement.
• Explain how awards are presented at pack meeting and how families may participate.

Den Leaders should discuss advancement with parents at a den adult’s meeting. They can also help families keep a happy balance between expecting too much and expecting too little as their sons work on advancement projects and activities. If a family is too critical, a boy is likely to lose confidence in himself, and lose interest in Cub Scouting. On the other hand, some families are inclined to be too easy on boys. Boys are great testers, and if families let them get by with less than their best, they might be influencing character development in the wrong direction. 

It is important not to measure a boy’s efforts by and adult’s yardstick, but to encourage him to do his best at all times. 

SIGNING BOY’S HANDBOOKS
Tiger Cubs and Cub Scouts may prepare for requirements and work on achievements and electives at home or during the weekly den meetings. In the Tiger Cub, Wolf, and Bear programs, the adult partner or family member must approve completion of the requirements by signing the boy’s book.

It is important the family understands the correct interpretation of the advancement program because when a parent or guardian signs the boy’s book, the requirement is approved and should not be questioned.

In some cases, when a Cub Scout completes certain requirements during the den meeting, the Den Leader initials the boy’s book in the space indicated and then the parent and/or guardian signs the achievement when all of the requirements have been met. 

The situation changes when boys become Webelos Scouts. Although families are encouraged to help the boys at home as they learn and practice activity badge requirements, actual completion is approved by Den Leaders or Activity Badge Counselors.

Den Leaders should have a clear discussion with parents and guardians about expecting too little or too much from their Cub Scouts. The “Parent Guide” in the Scout Handbook gives some guidance to families on how to help boys with advancement.

Advancement always emphasizes doing, not getting. The experience the boy has as he works on the requirements is more important than the badge itself. Boys are awarded badges to recognize their accomplishments, and families should be careful not to overemphasize the awards. 

HOW FAST SHOULD A BOY ADVANCE?
Generally speaking, a boy should advance one rank per year.  The important thing is to see that he earns the rank for his grade (or age).  If necessary, allow the boy an extra month or two to earn the badge.

A Cub Scout’s advancement progress depends on his own motivation for learning new skills, on the encouragement and help he gets from his family, and on his need for recognition.  These factors will vary for each boy.

An “overachiever” will progress rapidly, especially if his family encourages him.  An “underachiever” might not progress at all without an occasional push.  Den Leaders can provide motivation by stressing advancement work during den meetings and by providing quick rewards and recognition.  One way to emphasize advancement is by having visual evidence of each den member’s progress at the den meeting place, through use of the Den Advancement Chart, or a den doodle.  Another way is by using the Immediate Recognition Kit.

Families should be encouraged not to rush their boys through his required achievements for each rank.  There is no hard-and-fast rule, but if the boy rushes through the requirements, it might be difficult to hold his interest with electives through the rest of the year.  He may not begin working on the requirements for the next rank until he reaches the next grade or age requirement.

Although not required, some Webelos Scouts earn all activity badges during their time in the Webelos den.  If one badge is covered each month in den meetings, earning all 20 badges is possible.  What a boy learns while earning the badges, however, is more important than earning them all.

Advancement checklist

• Do the Cubmaster and pack committee give den leaders and families guidance in using the advancement program effectively?
• Do family members understand their part in the advancement program?  Are they using achievements, electives, and activity badges to suggest activities for the boy’s free time?
• Do family members recognize that advancement requirements can be completed naturally during a boy’s play activities?  Do they periodically check to be sure that he has been given credit for what he has accomplished?
• Do Den Leaders talk to parents about boys who are not advancing?
• Do Den Leaders try to keep den meetings filled with the kinds of activities that carry over into the boy’s free time and also contribute to his advancement?
• Are accurate advancement records kept in the dens and the pack?
• Do boys receive prompt recognition?  (not months later)
• Do pack advancement ceremonies create an incentive for advancement?
• Are wall charts and den doodles used in den and pack meetings?
• Does the pack have an advancement ladder or chart?

Advancement Records
To ensure that prompt recognition is given for advancement, it is important to keep accurate, up-to-date den and pack advancement records. For a sample of the Advancement Report, click http://www.scouting.org/filestore/CubScoutMeetingGuide/PDF/34403.pdf 

Den Advancement Reports
These forms are completed by Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Den Leaders at the end of the third den meeting each month.  They are turned in at the pack leaders meeting so those badges can be obtained and presented at the next pack meeting.  Information for these reports is taken from the individual Tiger Cub, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scout recourse on which advancement information is recorded at each den meeting.  For a sample of the Den Advancement Report, click http://www.scouting.org/filestore/CubScoutMeetingGuide/PDF/Appendix/33847.pdf 

Pack Advancement Report
This multipart form is completed each month by the Cubmaster or a designated pack committee member.  Information for this report is taken from the den advancement reports that are turned in at each pack leaders’ meeting.  The report lists badges and awards for the entire pack and is presented to the local council service center at least a week before the pack meeting so that badges can be purchased.  The pack retains on copy of the form so advancement information can be transferred to the Pack Record Book.

Pack Record Book
This is the pack’s most complete record.  It includes the achievement and elective record of each Tiger Cub and Cub Scout, as well as the activity badges, Webelos badges, compass point, Arrow of Light Award, and graduation record of each Webelos Scout.  Information from the pack advancement report is transferred to the Pack Record Book each month.  

Den Advancement Charts
Dens use the Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos den advancement charts to keep a record of each boy’s progress.  These wall charts are colorful and will add to the den meeting place.  The charts are also taken to the pack meeting for display so families can see how their sons are progressing.  (Mount them on corrugated board, foam board, or other sturdy material for durability and easy transportation.)
For a sample of the Dean Advancement Chart and the option to purchase, click http://www.scouting.org/filestore/CubScoutMeetingGuide/PDF/Appendix/511-813.pdf

Computerized Advancement Reports
Computer software may help leaders keep track of boys’ advancements accurately and simply.  A variety of electronic record-keeping software is available.  Be sure that you use a version that is current, with correct information, and is compatible with your council’s guidelines.