Advancement

Advancement is one of the methods Scouting programs use to educate boys, girls, young men and women to expand their horizons. It is the process by which youth members of Scouting America progress from rank to rank in the Scouting program. Advancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. Everything done to advance and earn these ranks, from joining until leaving the program, should be designed to help the young person have an exciting and meaningful experience. Please use the following resources to support advancement in your Scouting Program.

Policy on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement Program

No council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements. There are limited exceptions relating only to youth members with disabilities.

Scoutbook (Internet advancement)

Scoutbook is an advancement tracking tool. It also has messaging, forums, service, hiking, camping tracking and calendaring features. There are also resources for Leaders, such as meeting plans and resources.

Internet Advancement allows you to enter youth advancements, awards, and merit badges and perform the following actions:

  • Select members from your existing roster,
  • Review, update, or add ranks, merit badges, and/or awards,
  • Access an online Review Unit Roster feature and the Unit Advancement Summary,
  • Print an Advancement Report with a Unit Awards Summary to assist in purchasing.

When you upload your unit’s advancement information through Internet Advancement, your updated information is synced to your Scouts’ membership records with Scouting America’s database (usually within 48 hours). This is the database of record that the national organization will use to cross-check your Scouts’ information when/if they apply for the rank of Eagle Scout.

Units do not have to subscribe to Scoutbook; it is a free service provided to every unit. It is an optional service provided by Scouting America.