Scouts BSA Troop 457 > FAQs

Can girls join Scouts BSA Troop 457?

No.  While the Scouts BSA program is co-ed (effective 2019), the BSA requires that individual Troop be either Boy Troops or Girl Troops.  Troop 457 is chartered as a Boy Troop.

A minimum of 5 youth is required to charter a new Troop.  To date, there has been insufficient interest to charter a girls Troop.

What is a “Charter Organization”?

A chartered organization is a community-based group whose objectives, mission and methodologies are compatible with those of the BSA. It agrees to use the Scouting program to further its mission to serve young people. The partnership is intended to be deeper than, say, a sponsorship arrangement between a youth baseball team and a local business.

Troop 457’s Charter Organization is English Lutheran Church of Zelienople, PA.

Learn more in Scouting Magazine.

Who can join a Scouts BSA Troop?

  • The Scouts BSA program is open to any youth who meet the following criteria:
    • if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR
    • have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old; OR
    • are age 11 but have not reached age 18.
  • Per BSA policy, boys and girls in the Scouts BSA program must be a part of separate Troops (although these Troop may share a Charter Organization and a Troop Committee).
    • Troop 457 is a boy-only Troop.
    • We are not currently affiliated with a girl-only Troop, however we will explore this option if there is sufficient interest from female Scouts and their parents.

What is Scouts BSA?  Is it different from Boy Scouts?

Scouts BSA (formerly called “Boy Scouts”) is the traditional Scouting experience where boys and girls can have their share of adventure in the great outdoors. Develop a love of service by volunteering in your community, boost your leadership skills through fun and exciting challenges, and create memories of a lifetime with no prior Scouting experience required!

The Boy Scout program was renamed as Scouts BSA in February 2019 when the program was opened to girl members.  Members of the Scouts BSA program are referred to as “Scouts.”

What are the Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review? How do I request one?

Every Rank in Scouts BSA has a requirement that a Scout participate in a Scoutmaster Conference and, with the exception of the Scout Rank, a Board of Review.

Scoutmaster Conference

The Scoutmaster Conference is a meeting between the Scout and the Scoutmaster (or their delegate) that allows the Scoutmaster to review:

  • a Scout’s growth in his understanding of Scouting’s ideals
  • how the Scout applies these ideals in his daily life and in the troop
  • the requirements of the Scout’s next rank so that he can be properly encouraged

The Scoutmaster Conference is not a retest of the Scout’s completion of the requirements, however the Scoutmaster may ask questions about the Scout  to ensure they have developed the skills needed for future ranks.

Board of Review

The purpose of a Board of Review is to determine the quality of the Scout’s experience and decide whether the requirements for the rank have been fulfilled. If so, the board not only approves the Scout’s advancement but also provides encouragement to continue the quest for the next rank.

Boards of Review are conducted by 3 to 6 committee members that are not the Scout’s parents, relatives, or guardians.  The Scoutmaster is permitted to attend as an observer but is not an active participant unless called upon.

Boards of Review should not become a retest or “examination” or a challenge of the Scout’s knowledge. In most cases it should, instead, be a celebration of accomplishment.

Requesting a Scoutmaster Conference or Board of Review

Scouts may request a Scoutmaster Conference or Board of Review at any time when they are confident the requirements for their rank have been achieved.  Adult leadership will do their best to accommodate requests in a timely fashion.

It is strongly encouraged that Scouts request a Scoutmaster Conference / Board of Review at least one week in advance since these meetings require multiple adults to participate.  This can be done in person at a Troop meeting or by submitting a form on the Troop website.

REMEMBER:

  • Scouts should come to the Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review prepared to demonstrate the skills they learned in the rank they are pursuing and any prior rank.  This includes bringing any supplies needed to demonstrate the skills.
  • A Board of Review should be requested after Scout has completed the Scoutmaster Conference requirement.

What do I do AFTER I’ve completed a merit badge?

Upon completion of a merit badge, the merit badge counselor will remove the third of the card labeled COUNSELOR’S RECORD and retain it for their records.  The remaining two sections should be turned in to the Troop’s Advancement Chair or the Scoutmaster at the next Troop meeting.  The Advancement Chair will then process your merit badge application and you will be awarded your patch at the next suitable occasion.

At that time, the third of the Blue Card labeled APPLICANT’S RECORD will be returned to the Scout for their records.  Keep this card in a safe place and DO NOT throw it away.  This card is the record that you have successfully earned the merit badge.  Many Scouts keep the blue cards in baseball card pages in a binder.

I’ve been approved to work on a Merit Badge. Now what? Do I need to buy a copy of the merit badge booklet?

Once you have completed the Blue Card and obtained the Scoutmaster’s approval, you are ready to start working on the merit badge.  The following are the recommended next steps:

  1. Obtain a copy of the Merit Badge pamphlet and review it in detail.  You will find that most of the requirements are thoroughly explained in the contents of the pamphlet.
  2. The Scout contacts the counselor while following youth protection requirements. >Even though Scouts may benefit from reviewing requirements with a merit badge counselor before getting to work, a Scout may begin the effort on any badge at any time after registering in Scouts BSA.
  3. The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the unit leader.  It is the counselor’s decision whether to accept work or activities completed prior to any meeting with the unit leader or the merit badge counselor. Common sense should prevail, however. For example: nights already camped as a Scout in Scouts BSA, or coins or stamps already collected, would count toward their respective badges.)
  4. The Scout, the Scout’s buddy, and the counselor meet (often several times).
  5. Partial progress is recorded as requirements are completed.
  6. The Scout finishes the requirements.
  7. The counselor approves completion.

Remember, advancement requirements must be passed as written. If, for example, a requirement uses words like “show,” “demonstrate,” or “discuss,” then that is what Scouts must do. Filling out a worksheet, for example, would not suffice.  (Guide to Advancement 4.2.0.1)

Resources:
  • Troop Library (via TroopTrack):  A listing of the Merit Badge pamphlets in the Troop library and whether they are currently checked out.  See the Troop Librarian to checkout or return a Merit Badge Book.
  • Merit Badge Pamphlets (via ScoutShop.org):  Scouts can also purchase physical and digital versions of the Merit Badge pamphlets from the BSA’s Scout Shop or at a local Scout Shop.
  • Merit Badge Requirements and Workbooks (via usscouts.org):  The US Scouting Service Project has created a series of Merit Badge workbooks to help Scouts organize notes, listen actively, and document their work. These workbooks can help you but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet. The work space provided for each requirement should be used by the Scout to make notes for discussing the item with his counselor, not for providing the full and complete answers. Each Scout must do each requirement. Completing these worksheets may suffice where a requirement calls for something in writing, but this would not work for a requirement where the Scout must discuss, tell, show, or demonstrate, etc. Scouts are NOT required to use these learning aids in order to complete a merit badge.

How do I request Scoutmaster Approval for a Merit Badge?

It is the responsibility of the Scout, and the Scout alone, to decide what merit badges he would like to earn.  However, the Scout must obtain Scoutmaster approval (documented on the Blue Card) before working with a counselor or attending a group or virtual merit badge opportunity.  This is the Scoutmaster’s opportunity to:

  • give guidance on the wisdom of pursuing a selected badge,
  • advise the Scout on how work might be approached and what may be encountered along the way.
  • Provide the names and contact information for one or more approved counselors

It is also how the Troop’s Advancement Chair is made aware that the merit badge is being pursued.  Ultimately, it is the Scout’s decision whether or not to proceed with the merit badge even if a leader voices a concern.  (Guide to Advancement Section 7.0.0.3)

Scouts can meet with the Scoutmaster during any Troop meeting  to request approval.  Alternatively, Scouts may submit THIS FORM to request Scoutmaster approval (ideal when the Scout or Scoutmaster is not in attendance at a meeting or if the Scout choses to attend a merit badge class between meetings).  Submitting this form will automatically email the Scoutmaster and the Advancement Chair to inform them of the request.  The Scoutmaster will reply to the Scout and CC the Scout’s parents via TroopTrack email with additional information or approval.  The email approving the Scout to pursue the merit badge is considered the documented approval until the Scout can obtain the Scoutmaster’s signature at a future meeting.

How do I complete a Blue Card?

Blue Cards must be completed before the Scoutmaster signs the card authorizing the Scout to begin working on the merit badge.  You can find instructions for completing the blue card on THIS PAGE.

The Scout is responsible for completing the Blue Card.
As a Scout, it is your responsibility to complete the Blue Card. It is NOT ACCEPTABLE for the Blue Card to be completed by a Scoutmaster, parent, or anyone besides the Scout. Filling out the Blue Card is just as important as performing the skills and demonstrating the knowledge in order to complete the merit badge requirements.

Where do I track completion of Rank Requirements?

Your Scout Handbook is the primary record of your advancement requirements.  The requirements are documented started on page 440.  There is space for leaders and other Scouts to initial and date showing you have successfully demonstrated completion of the requirement.

Adult leaders may also track completion of requirements in TroopTrack. This provides our leadership with a quick glance look at a Scout’s advancement requirements and helps to ensure focus is provided to help Scouts achieve their next rank.  Ideally, Adult Leaders will update TroopTrack at the same time as signing off on requirements in your Scout Handbook.  However, an adult leader may period ask to see your handbook in order to true up TroopTrack with your requirement completion.

PROTECT YOUR HANDBOOK
Since your Scout Handbook is the official record of your accomplishments, you should take every precaution to protect it from loss or damage. This include writing your name on the book in multiple places, protecting it with a handbook cover, taking care not to damage it, and providing your handbook to an adult leader to update TroopTrack (providing a backup record of your rank advancement). Inform the Scoutmaster or another adult leader In the event that your handbook is lost of damaged. They will work with you to make sure the necessary documentation is available to demonstrate you have completed the requirements.

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