Scouts BSA Advancement

Rank Advancement
Merit Badges
Other Awards
Advancement Changes

Temporary Transition Rules for Females entering Scouts BSA

Cub Scout Advancement

Rank Advancement
Other Awards

Venturing Advancement

Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit Awards
Ranger Award
Quest Award
Trust Award
Other Awards

Sea Scouting Advancement

Sea Scouting Ranks and Awards
Other Awards

Miscellaneous Advancement Topics

• Index to all Advancement Workbooks (pdf)
• Introduction to Advancement Topics
• Advancement Documents
•  Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Boy Scout Motto
  • Scout Oath
  • Scout Law
  • Boy Scout Motto
  • Boy Scout Slogan
• Definition of Active Participation
• Definition of Demonstrate Scout Spirit
• Definition of Serve Actively ... in ... Positions of Responsibility
• Advancement by Foreign Scouts
• Outdoor Code
• Leave No Trace Principles
• BSA Wilderness Use Policy
• Proposals for New or Revised Merit Badges
• Current Merit Badge Pamphlet and Requirement Revision Dates
• Merit Badge File Names - BSA Numbers
• Introduction to Merit Badges
• Index to Merit Badge Requirements
• Index to Merit Badge Workbooks
• Cyber Chip
• Nova and Supernova Awards
• Physical Fitness Award
• Emergency Preparedness Award
• Crime Prevention Awards (May not be available in all Councils - CHECK FIRST!)
• Donor Awareness Patch (May not be available in all Councils - CHECK FIRST!)

The following Award is NOT a BSA Award, but is referenced for your information.

• James M. Stewart Good Citizenship Award (also available to Adults)
  (Link is to an NON-USSSP site) - Click on "Scout Award"

Scouts BSA Advancement Changes

• 2021 Advancement Changes
• 2020 Advancement Changes
• 2019 Advancement Changes
• 2018 Advancement Changes
• 2017 Advancement Changes
• 2016 Advancement Changes
• 2015 Advancement Changes
• 2014 Advancement Changes
• 2013 Advancement Changes
• 2012 Advancement Changes
• 2012 Advancement Changes
• 2010 Advancement Changes (April)
• 2010 Advancement Changes (January)
• 2009 Advancement Changes
• 2008 Advancement Changes
• 2007 Advancement Changes
• 2006 Advancement Changes
• 2005 Advancement Changes
• 2004 Advancement Changes
• 2003 Advancement Changes
• 2002 Advancement Changes
• 2001 Advancement Changes
• 2000 Advancement Changes
• 1999 Advancement Changes
• 1998 Advancement Changes
• 1996 Advancement Changes
• 1995 Advancement Changes

BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award

• Announcement and Description
• Award Requirements
  • Youth Award - BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award
    • Scouts BSA
    • Venturing and Sea Scouts
  • Youth Award - BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award ‐ Bronze Honor*
    • Scouts BSA
    • Venturing and Sea Scouts
  • Youth Award - BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award - Silver Honor*
    • Scouts BSA
    • Venturing and Sea Scouts
  • Adult Award - BSA Distinguished Conservationist
  • Organization - BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Certificate

  NOTE:
  The BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Bronze and Silver Honors replace the William T Hornaday Bronze and Silver Medals which were retired on October 12, 2020. These options are being made available for those that had already started  work on the third or fourth project for the William T. Hornaday Bronze or Silver Medal by October 13, 2020 and must be completed by June 30, 2021.

Scouts BSA Advancement

Introduction to Scouts BSA Advancement

Scouts BSA Ranks

• Scouts BSA Rank Requirements
  • Scout Rank Requirements
  • Tenderfoot Rank Requirements
  • Second Class Rank Requirements
  • First Class Rank Requirements
  • Star Rank Requirements
  • Life Rank Requirements
  • Eagle Rank Requirements
  • Eagle Palm Requirements

• Index to Scouts BSA Rank Workbooks

• Selecting Leadership Service Projects
• Alternative Requirements
  • for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class
  • For Eagle Scout

Special Opportunities for Scouts BSA

• National Outdoor Badges
  • Camping
  • Aquatics
  • Conservation
  • Hiking
  • Riding
  • Adventure
• National Outdoor Achievement Medal
• 50 Miler Award
• Historic Trails Award
• Den Chief Service Award
• Firem'n Chit Card
• Totin' Chip Card
• Paul Bunyan Award
• Distinguished Conservation Service Award (NEW)
• World Conservation Award
• Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award for Boy Scouts
• Outdoor Ethics Action Award for Boy Scouts
• Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger
• BSA Lifeguard
• Mile Swim, BSA
• Snorkeling, BSA
• Kayaking, BSA
• Scuba, BSA
• Boardsailing BSA
• BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding
• Whitewater Rafting, BSA
• Emergency Preparedness Award
• International Spirit Award
• Interpreter's Strips
• Lifesaving and Meritorious Awards
• Religious Emblems
• Recruiter Strip
• Cyber Chip
• Nova and Supernova Awards
• National High Adventure awards
  • Triple Crown of National High Adventure
  • Grand Slam of National High Adventure

Cub Scout Advancement

Introduction to Cub Scout Advancement

• Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Cub Scout Motto

Cub Scout Rank Requirements

• 2018 Cub Scout Advancement Changes
• Lion Rank
  • Lion Core (Required) Adventures
  • Lion Elective Adventures
• Bobcat Rank
• Tiger Rank
  • Tiger Core (Required) Adventures
  • Tiger Elective Adventures
• Wolf Rank
  • Wolf Core (Required) Adventures
  • Wolf Elective Adventures
• Bear Rank
  • Bear Core (Required) Adventures
  • Bear Elective Adventures
• Webelos Rank
  • Webelos Core (Required) Adventures
  • Webelos/Arrow of Light Elective Adventures
• Arrow of Light Rank
  • Arrow of Light Core (Required) Adventures
  • Webelos/Arrow of Light Elective Adventures

• Index to Cub Scout Rank and Adventure Workbooks

Special Opportunities for Cub Scouts

• Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
• Cub Scout Shooting Sports Awards
• Emergency Preparedness Award
• International Spirit Award
• Interpreter's Strips
• Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger
• Lifesaving and Meritorious Awards
• Recruiter Strip
• Religious Emblems
• Whittling Chip Card
• World Conservation Award
• Nova and Supernova Awards
• Cyber Chip

Venturing  Advancement

Introduction to Venturing Advancement

Index to Venturing Workbooks

Venturing, Discovery, Pathfinder, and Summit Awards

• Venturing Award
• Discovery Award
• Pathfinder Award
• Summit Award
  • Summit Board of Review - membership guidelines

Ranger Award

• Ranger Award Fact Sheet
  • Ranger Award Requirements
  • Core Requirements
  • Electives:
    • Backpacking
    • Cave Exploration
    • Cycling/Mountain Biking
    • Ecology
    • Equestrian
    • First Aid
    • Fishing
    • Hunting
    • Lifesaving
    • Mountaineering
    • Outdoor Living History
    • Physical Fitness
    • Plants and Wildlife
    • Project COPE
    • Scuba
    • Shooting Sports
    • Watercraft
    • Winter Sports

Quest Fitness and Sports Award

• Fact Sheet
• Requirements

TRUST Religious and Community Life Award

• Requirements

Sea Scouting Advancement

Introduction to Sea Scouting Advancement

Sea Scouting Ranks and Awards

• Apprentice
• Ordinary
• Able
• Quartermaster

•  Long Cruise
• SEAL Training
• Sea Scout Marksmanship
• Small Boat Handler
• Qualified Seaman

Special Opportunities for Venturers and Sea Scouts

• Venturing Leadership Award
• 50 Miler Award
• Historic Trails Award
• Distinguished Conservation Service Award (NEW)
• William T. Hornaday Awards (Discontinued)
• National Outdoor Badges
  • Camping
  • Aquatics
  • Conservation
  • Hiking
  • Riding
  • Adventure
• Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award
• Outdoor Ethics Action Award
• World Conservation Award
• Boardsailing BSA
• BSA Lifeguard
• Mile Swim, BSA
• Snorkeling, BSA
• Kayaking, BSA
• Scuba, BSA
• BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding
• Whitewater Rafting, BSA
• Complete Angler
• Emergency Preparedness Award
• International Spirit Award
• Interpreter's Strips
• Lifesaving and Meritorious Awards
• Religious Emblems
• Nova and Supernova Awards
• SCOUTStrong Be MedWise award
• National High Adventure awards
  • Triple Crown of National High Adventure
  • Grand Slam of National High Adventure
• Young American (Note that this award is for youth who are College Students through age 25)

Discontinued Awards and Requirements

Scouts BSA

The following have been discontinued

• William T. Hornaday Awards (Discontinued)
• Leave No Trace Achievement Award (Discontinued)
• International Activity Badge (Discontinued)
• International Youth Exchange Emblem (Discontinued)
• Varsity Letters and Pins (Discontinued)
• Denali Award for Varsity Scouts only (Discontinued)
• Emergency Preparedness Award (Discontinued)
• SCOUTStrong Be MedWise award (Discontinued)
• Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award for Varsity Scouts (Discontinued)
• Outdoor Ethics Action Award for Varsity Scouts (Discontinued)

Historical Merit Badges (These 4 Historical Merit Badges could be earned only during calendar year 2010, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.)  THE BADGES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.  The links below will show you what the requirements were while they could be earned during 2010.

• CARPENTRY (Discontinued)
• PATHFINDING (Discontinued)
• SIGNALING (Discontinued)
• TRACKING (Discontinued)

Cub Scouts

Previous Requirements - The following have all been discontinued or the requirements have been replaced.

• Cub Scout Promise, Law, and Motto (Replaced on June 1, 2015)
• Character Connections (Discontinued after May 31, 2015)
• Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program (Discontinued after May 31, 2015)
  • Cub Scout Academic Program  (Discontinued after May 31, 2015)
  • Cub Scout Sports Program (Discontinued after May 31, 2015)
• Special Opportunities for Cub Scouts
  • Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award (Replaced on June 1, 2015)
  • World Conservation Award (Replaced on June 1, 2015)
  • Emergency Preparedness Award (Discontinued)
  • International Activity Badge (Discontinued)
  • Leave No Trace Awareness Award (Discontinued)
  • Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award (Discontinued)
  • Outdoor Ethics Action Award (Discontinued)
  • William T. Hornaday Awards (Discontinued)

Venturing and Sea Scouts

Previous Requirements - The following awards and subjects have been discontinued or replaced

• Venturing Oath and Code (Discontinued)
• Bronze Awards Fact Sheet  (Discontinued)
  • ARTS & HOBBIES Bronze Award (Discontinued)
  • OUTDOOR Bronze Award (Discontinued)
  • SEA SCOUT Bronze Award (Discontinued)
  • SPORTS Bronze Award (Discontinued)
  • RELIGIOUS LIFE Bronze Award  (Discontinued)
    (Formerly YOUTH MINISTRIES Bronze Award)
• Gold Award Fact Sheet  (Discontinued)
  • Gold Award Requirements (Discontinued)
• Silver Award Overview  (Discontinued)
  • Silver Award Requirements (Discontinued)

The following awards and subjects have been discontinued or replaced

• Leave No Trace Achievement Award (Discontinued)
• International Activity Badge (Discontinued)
• International Youth Exchange Emblem (Discontinued)