The Boy Scout Advancement Trail—Looking Ahead to January 1, 2016

Unlike recent revisions to the Cub Scout and Venturing programs, the Boy Scout rank requirements, to be released at the National Annual Meeting later this month, will see only minor modifications. The revised requirements are based on the work of the 411 Task Force, a team of more than 75 volunteers from around the country who worked with a variety of BSA committees and professionals to ensure that the Boy Scout advancement program is “appealing, exciting, and culturally relevant.” Previous announcements have revealed some enhancements to requirements, such as service at each rank; development of physical fitness as a life-long habit; safety awareness; and greater emphasis on outdoor ethics. In addition, some requirements will be rearranged to more effectively organize content and to pro-vide a more logical progression. While advancing through the early ranks, boys will experience key Scouting methods such as the outdoors, the patrol method, and leadership development. 

This emphasis in these areas will begin on day one of a boy’s Scouting experience:

• “Scout” will be elevated from a joining badge to a rank, with new requirements focusing on troop and patrol operations and the skills needed for camping. The new Scout rank will not require a board of review.

• To ensure there is more outing in Scouting, by the time he is ready for his First Class board of review, a boy will have completed six troop or patrol campouts—twice the number now needed.

• A Scout’s duty to God will be more prominent in the “Scout Spirit” requirement of each rank. In addition to the requirement to “demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law,” a Scout will be asked to “tell how you have done your duty to God.” It is important to note, however, that the added requirement does not involve a review, evaluation, or discussion—simply a statement by the youth of how he has fulfilled his duty to God, as defined by his family.

• A new Boy Scout Handbook is scheduled to be published in January 2016. Although it will be revised to align with the new requirements, most of its content remains consistent with the current handbook.

For details about how these changes will affect current Scouts when the requirements go into effect on January 1, 2016, visit www.scouting.org/programupdates and click on “Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements in 2016.” Upon release, new requirements will be posted on this same site around May 22, 2015.