1st year Program (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class) – The first year program, with the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class is designed to teach the new Scout  the camping, first aid, and safety skills needed to go camping.  Though called the 1st year program there is no time requirement on when the advancements must be completed. Some Scouts can do all of the requirements in less than a year, some will take longer. Unlike Cub Scouts there is no age determined advancements. All Scouts go through the same advancement program no matter how old they are or when they join. You may pass any of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class at any time.  You may not receive a rank until you have earned the one before it.  . Many skills are taught on camping trips, so it is important to attend trips as well as the weekly meetings. 

The Path to Eagle – Once a Scout has reached First Class and learned the basic skills of Scouting, he is ready for the challenge of becoming an Eagle Scout. The Path to Eagle has three ranks, Star Scout, Life Scout, and Eagle Scout. Here the requirements for advancement consist of earning merit badges, doing service projects to help the community, showing that you can lead other Scouts as a patrol leader or some other leadership position, and demonstrating to others that you have Scout spirit.

Scoutmaster Conference – One requirement that Boy Scouts have for rank advancement that Cub Scouting doesn’t have is that whenever you complete the requirements for a rank you need to have a Scoutmaster Conference. This is a formal meeting between a scout and the Scoutmaster (or his designee).  A Scoutmaster Conference is required prior to any rank advancement to review a Scout’s progress and records.  It may also occur when a Scout requests it, or if the Scoutmaster feels the Scout needs it.

Board of Review – Another difference in Boy Scout requirements is that all rank advancements (except the Joining Requirements) require a Board of Review. The members of a Board of Review can be any adult in the troop except for the Scoutmaster or any of his assistants.  As a requirement for each rank advancement a Scout must appear individually before the committee to ensure that the Scout has met the requirements for that rank.  A Board of Review takes place after a Scoutmaster Conference for rank advancement.

Court of Honor – Three or four times a year, the troop will hold a special meeting called a Court of Honor. This is a formal ceremony to recognize you and your fellow Scouts for rank advancement and other Scouting achievements. This event is held with an audience of family, friends, chartered organization officials, and troop leaders.

Here are links to websites that have the requirements for all of the ranks:

Tenderfoot: http://www.usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsrank2.asp

Second Class: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/boyscout/bsrank3.asp

First Class: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/boyscout/bsrank4.asp

Star Scout: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/boyscout/bsrank5.asp

Life Scout: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/boyscout/bsrank6.asp

Eagle Scout: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/boyscout/bsrank7.asp