This section
Scouting advancement is tracked by rank.
There are seven ranks, falling into two broad categories.
Lower ranks
These are the four ranks in which a newer/younger Scout learns all the basic skills of Scouting:
- Outdoors skills (navigation, hiking, nature, outdoor ethics, tools & knots, etc)
- First aid & safety
- Citizenship
- Cooking
- Physical fitness
The beginning ranks are:
(Yes, it is the source of eternal minor confusion that Second Class comes before First Class.)
Most Scouts in 116 will achieve First Class within their first two years if they attend most meetings and trips—over the course of which we sneakily cover most of the skills disguised as fun—plus complete a few requirements that have to be done on their own or with their families.
Leadership ranks
The ceremony for awarding First Class has a vaguely embarrassing section that speaks of having become “the complete Scout,” and that the Scout is now moving “from receiving Scouting to giving Scouting.” As awkward as that wording is, it is true. It’s time to give back. It’s time to step up to a leadership role.
To earn the higher ranks, each Scout must commit to several aspects of advanced Scouting:
- Leadership (whether in the Patrol Leader hierarchy or some other important role, like Quatermaster)
- Teaching and mentoring younger Scouts (most of those lower tank skills are taught by the older Scouts, not the adult leaders)
- Community service
- Advanced skills (these would be the merit badges)
The advanced ranks are:
Some troops lead members by the nose all the way through Eagle. That’s robbing kids of the very purpose of the journey, and that’s not 116.
While we will absolutely encourage and help older Scouts along this path in every way we can, we will not do it for them.
They have to want it. They have to earn it.
