Advancement is a central part of the Scouting experience.  Scouts are presented with a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them through the advancement method.  However, advancement is just a means to an end, not an end in itself.  As Scouts work through advancements, they learn and build valuable skills through experiential learning.

In this module, we’ll discuss the three primary types of advancement in the Scouts BSA program (Rank Advancement, Merit Badges, and Other Awards), a few mechanisms that support advancement, and introduce you to The Order of the Arrow (Scouting’s “National Honors Society”).

Working to earn ranks, merit badges, and other awards is highly encouraged in the Scouts BSA program, but it isn’t required.  Scouts will learn many skills just by participating in meetings, campouts and other events even if they don’t want to progress in rank.