Advancement and Recognition

Advancement in the Boy Scouts of America emphasizes the growth a young person experiences as a result of participation in unit programs. Advancement is more than just the process by which youth progress from rank to rank in the Scouting program. Everything done to advance and earn these ranks, from joining until leaving the program, should be designed to help the young person have an exciting and meaningful experience.

A quality Scouting program strives for the following:

• Every young person achieves personal growth.
• Every one learns by doing.
• Youth members progress at their own rate.
• All young people receive recognition for their individual accomplishments.
• Advancement encourages Scouting ideals.

Reminder! As per the Boy Scout Merit Badge policy, all Boy Scout advancement reports delivered to the Service Centers need to be accompanied with any related blue cards.

The Scout Advancement Program

• Internet Advancement:
  Internet Advancement allows you to enter youth advancements, awards, and merit badges and review, update, or add ranks, merit badges, and/or awards. The internet advancement site also allows you to access an online Review Unit Roster feature and Unit Advancement Summary, as well as print an Advancement Report with a Unit Awards Summary.

• Eagle Scout Service Project Fillable PDF :
  The new Eagle Scout Rank Application and the fillable Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook have been placed on Scouting.org. You will find them both at the following link above.
  
• Guide to Advancement :
  Find the latest version of the Guide to Advancement here
  
• Cub Scout Advancement:
  The Cub Scout advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
• Boy Scout Advancement:
  The Boy Scout advancement plan allows the Scout to plan and progress at his own pace. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence, grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
• Varsity Scout Advancement:
  Varsity Scouts use the same advancement program as Boy Scouts.
• Venturing Advancement:
  The Venturing program's strength is its ability to meet the interests of all its members. Venturers typically have many interests or would like to have more. Because of that desire, and to provide a pathway to many different experiences, the Venturing awards program is offered.
• Exploring Awards:
  Click here for information on Exploring awards.
• Sea Scouting Awards:
  Click here for information on Sea Scouting awards.

To help you understand and implement an advancement program, BSA has published a pamphlet, Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures. The pamphlet is available at the both of Mount Baker Council's service centers.

Recognition and Awards

Many awards are recognitions with which Scouts and adult Scouters are presented when others wish to honor them for accomplishments. Click here to go to the Nomination Forms page. Other awards are earned for tenure and training.
See the National website or the knots page for more.

New! The Unit Leader Award of Merit replaces the Scoutmaster, Varsity Team Coach, and Venturing Crew Advisor award of merit programs. This new recognition has revised requirements and may be earned by Cubmasters as well.

In many cases, BSA represents awards with square knot insignia for uniform wear. Some of these knots are exclusively for adults, although several may be worn by youth members.

Council Court of Honor

Each spring, Mount Baker Council holds it annual Council Court of Honor. The Council Court of Honor is your chance to congratulate and honor the current year's Silver Beaver Award recipients.

In addition to recognizing our new Silver Beavers, we will also honor recipients of other council awards. Venturing youth and adult volunteers who are active throughout the council receive the Venturing Leadership Award. The Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Awards are awarded only after being recommended by a council committee and approved by the National Council. These award is given to individuals who went above and beyond to save a life or take great action for others.

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