Yes. It is important for you to bring your Scout Handbook to all meetings and camping events. The Scout Handbook is the primary reference source for rank advancement requirements. It also serves as the tangible record for completion of these requirements.  You may also want to take pictures of the Handbook and other items as a back-up electronic copy.

Requirements through First Class will typically be signed-off by a Scout’s Patrol Leader (PL), with the oversight of the Troop Guide assigned to his Patrol, or the Assistant Scoutmaster serving as the Patrol Advisor.  If the PL is unavailable, the Patrol’s Troop Guide or Patrol Advisor is allowed to sign-off the requirements. The Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader may also sign off on requirements. The Scout signing off on a requirement must be 2 ranks above the rank the Scout is completing requirements for. 

Requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle are signed-off by the SM or ASM.

Siblings, even if they meet the requirements above, will NOT sign off rank requirements.  Also, parents will NOT sign off rank requirements (other than those specifically required to be signed by the parent for joining as a Scout). However, parents may assist Scouts by teaching and demonstrating skills.

You can request a Scoutmaster Conference at any time.  However, we prefer to meet after all rank requirements are completed and signed off in the Scout’s Handbook.

Scoutmaster Conference will normally be held prior to, or after, Troop meetings. The Scout must send an email to the SM and 1 other adult requesting the conference. If the SM is unavailable, an ASM is authorized to conduct the conference.

The Scoutmaster Conference also provides an opportunity for the SM/ASM to review the Scout’s Handbook for completion of rank requirements. This will help the Board of Review process as well.

Scoutmaster Conference will not be scheduled on the same night as a Board of Review.

The Committee will hold Boards of Review on the first Thursday of each month at the RAF Alconbury Community Center, the same night as the PLC. The Scout will contact the Troop Advancement Chair by email to request the BOR appointment, at least one week prior to the BOR. This allows time to gather board members.  A BOR will not be granted if requested less than a week before the regularly scheduled board, so think ahead and plan accordingly.

Typically, exceptions will not be granted to have an out-of-cycle BOR. If an exception is requested, due to extenuating circumstances, the Advancement Chair will present the request to the Troop Committee for vote.

After the Board of Review, the Advancement Chair will update Scoutbook indicating the completion of the final step of the advancement process.

1. Chooses the Merit Badge to work on.
2. Send email to SM and Advancement Chair requesting to open; SM will provide the Scout with a “blue card” to formally open the merit badge.
3. Informs the Advancement Chair of SM approval, the Scout is provided information for a Merit Badge Counselor (MBC). The Advancement Chair opens the MB in Scoutbook.
4. The Scout speaks with MBC to discuss availability and the requirements for the badge.
5. Meets with the MBC one or more times to work on badge requirements; MBC signs off requirements on the blue card. (MBC keeps their portion of the completed blue card.)
6. Returns to discuss the completion of the MB with the SM; SM signs the blue card as complete; Scout keeps his portion of the blue card for his records and turns in the “application” portion of the blue card to the Advancement Chair.
7. Advancement Chair updates Scoutbook.
8. Scout receives the Merit Badge and Merit Badge Card at the next Court of Honor. (Keep the Merit Badge Card with the completed blue card in Scout’s personal records.)

When a merit badge is taught in a group setting (such as at summer camp or in a Scout meeting), the MBC may choose to track requirement completion on a separate sign off sheet and transfer to the blue card or directly inform the Advancement Chair for Scoutbook updates. For group setting merit badges, the Troop will still follow the procedures above.  The blue cards will be created and kept locally, as well as opening the merit badge in Scoutbook.  When the completion level is sent to the Troop, the cards and Scoutbook are updated accordingly.

Yes. If you have an opportunity to support service work separate from the Troop, you will need to get prior approval from the SM to ensure it qualifies for service hours.  Additionally, many Scouts are involved in other activities (JROTC, Honor Society, etc.) that require service hours. It is possible to use a service project from these activities towards Scout service hours.  Again, you need to request approval prior to the activity from the SM to ensure it qualifies.

The Patrol Leaders’ Council is primarily composed of the SPL, ASPL, and PLs. These are the “voting members” of the Troop. The Scribe and Troop Guides are also required to attend PLC meetings, although they are not voting members their presence is important.  Other Positions of Responsibility are not required to attend, however, they are strongly encouraged to – both to offer input as needed (based upon their position) and to help develop knowledge of Troop operations as potential future leaders of the Troop.

Yes. You need to wear as much of your uniform as you possess. Your uniform identifies you as a Scout within the Troop and the community. Your uniform is a symbol of pride and unity. The uniform promotes equality while showing individual achievement.

There are two uniforms: Class A and Class B: Class A is the Khaki button down with appropriate patches, neckerchief and slide/woggle, olive green pants, belt, sash (for MBs and Activity Patches) and optional socks and hat.  Class B is a Troop T-shirt/Sweatshirt or other BSA logoed T-shirt. The Scouts will be notified which uniform is needed for the different Troop activities.

Your uniform shout be clean, neat and well presented. There will be announced uniform inspections.

Scoutbook. The Troop calendar, Scout advancement and rank record, Scout account and other information is found here. This is a way to communicate with other Scouts and adult leaders as well.