Scout Ranks

Scouts have multiple ranks that they can earn during their time in Scouting. These ranks are as follows:

• Scout
• Tenderfoot
• Second Class
• First Class
• Star
• Life
• Eagle
• Eagle Palms

These ranks get divided up into groups as the focus is on different aspects of Scouting:

Scout->Tenderfoot->Second Class->First Class

These ranks are usually put together because the main focus of these ranks are basic Scouting skills such as First Aid, Fire Building, Camping, Cooking, Knots, and other related skills. There is also service hours and camping time to gain practice in the newly learned skills.

Star->Life->Eagle

These ranks are put together because the focus of these ranks shifts from basic Scouting skills to specific skills required to earn merit badges. There is also a greater focus on service hours in these ranks. Additionally these ranks require a scout to hold leadership positions and be active in the troop for a specific amount of time before they can advance.

Eagle Palms

Eagle palms are special as they are not really ranks but compliment the rank of Eagle. An Eagle palm is earned for every 5 merit badges completed beyond the 21 required for Eagle. This is a good way to keep a scout motivated after they earn Eagle and before they turn 18 and age out of Scouts.

Merit Badges

Merit badges are a skill-oriented award that focus on one skill in particular. There are more than 135 different merit badges that a scout can earn with the scout needing to earn a total of 21 for Eagle. A list of all merit badges and their requirements can be found at this link: Merit Badges

Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review

As Scouts move through ranks, they periodically meet with adult leaders for guidance on and assessment of their progress.

• Scoutmaster conferences provide Scouts with opportunities for one-on-one conversation and goal setting with the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or members of the Troop Committee.
• When a Scout has met the knowledge, skill and leadership requirements for advancement to the next rank, a Board of Review is convened to determine that the Scout has met the requirements for rank advancement. Boards of Review generally consist of three or more members of the Troop Committee. The Eagle Scout Board of Review is more comprehensive than those at lower ranks. While a Board of Review is most often held for rank advancement, they may also be convened to provide Scouts with goal-setting guidance between ranks.