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Advancement
through knowledge and skill building.
Through the scouting program, each scout pursues a rank advancement, which requires them to learn new things in a variety of areas, including outdoor skills, citizenship, conservation and first aid, to name a few. Each scout progresses at his own rate, following a more
fixed set of requirements in the lower ranks and expanding into a broader fields of study
in the higher ranks. In addition the scouts must demonstrate scout spirit
by living the Scout Oath and Laws for each rank.
After joining the troop as a Scout, you’ll earn
seven ranks on your path to Eagle Scout. You can work on the first
four—Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class Scout—at the same
time. Most of the Scouts become First Class Scouts within 12-18 months of joining the troop. You’ll find that you can complete all of the requirements by attending troop meetings regularly, participating in the troop’s monthly outings, and joining us for our weeklong summer camp.. As you earn each of these ranks, you’ll find yourself developing terrific outdoor skills, self-reliance, physical fitness and community service.
Troop
505 plans advancement into our program and activities throughout
the year. Fun with a purpose is the goal. We start with
our advancement camp in March that gives our scouts a real
jump start on advancement. The learning is infectious. We
follow with events and campouts throughout the school
year. Summer camp is the place to get a lot done not to
mention a lot of fun. Please take a look at our schedule
of advancement that we follow for our new scouts. You
may also find our advancement forms
useful.
Click on the ranks below to see the requirements for
each rank:
Interesting Local Opportunities
There are a few interesting places where a Scout can earn a merit badge outside of Summer Camp or troop activities. This information will be updated as it becomes available, note: some depend on weather etc.
Troop Policy on classes for Eagle required merit badges. Eagle required merit badges eared in class will only be accepted from preapproved sites. Currently that list is: summer camp, Morton Arboretum and the week long Environmental Science
class through the Du Page County Forest Preserve.
The Morton Arboretum - Offers interesting merit badges throughout the year. Currently (Fall 2009) they are offering, Forestry, Weather, Nature and Environmental Science. The cost is range
from $30 to $60 per Scout (less if member) and is usually offered on various weekends. The up to date information can be found at their
web
site or call 630-719-2468 for registration.
Du Page County Forest Preserve offers a weeklong Environmental Science class
(GO! Camp of Guys) during the summer. Two of our scouts attended the class this summer (2009). The program was excellent, well organized and clearly taught. The boys learned a lot and had fun. More information is at their
web site follow the link “Summer Programs for Kids” or call
630-850-8110.
Another
excellent program is the all day Fly Fishing class from Oak Brook Trout Unlimited.
This is a free one day program that is hands on and very well taught.
Three of our scouts attended in 2009 and had a wonderful time
and learned a lot. The class is small and fills up
fast. They had 2 classes in 2009. Contact the them early
(March) if you would like a spot.
Fermi Labs - Offers most of the Atomic Energy Merit Badge to groups of scouts (less than 20).
Pathways to Eagle XX in Bolingbrook,
July 31st, August 1st and 2nd, 2009 good chance to earn non-required merit badges
The
Merit
Badge Information Event Summary Page has listing for Merit
Badge events through out the country.
How to Get a Merit Badge
When you wish to get a merit badge on your own (and not through a troop activity), you should first read the requirements. Find out if it is possible for you to do, i.e. doesn't require you to have access to something we just don't have in the midwest. If it still appeals, you need two things, a blue card and a counselor. You can get a blue card from
Assistant Scoutmasters at any troop meeting. It needs to be signed saying you can do this. Ask at the meetings if we have a counselor in the troop first. The list will not have those counselors that are for our troop only. If we don't have one, look on the list and look for people close to you. Your parents can help you there. Then you make a phone call. Some counselors run sessions every so often, some work with two or more scouts, it will depend. Since these people are volunteers, their time might be blocked out so it may take a while to get a session.
Most merit badges are you doing the work, reading, constructing etc and the merit badge counselor checking on your work, so don't expect to be taught, you will have to do the work. Once the counselor feels you have completed all the work (usually two or three sessions), he or she will sign the card and give it back to you. You will then have it signed by a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster and then have it turned into the Advancement Committee member. At the next court of honor, you will receive your badge.
Religious
Emblem Programs
These programs were created by the various religious groups to encourage youth to grow stronger in their faith. There is a program for almost every faith. Please see the linked
PDF or PowerPoint file for more information.
(Please note that these awards are not required for advancement)
Awards
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Firem'n Chit
This
certification grants a Scout the right to carry matches
and build campfires. The Scout must show his Scout leader,
or someone designated by his leader
Requirements
/ Information
/ Quiz
/ Lesson Plan
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Paul Bunyan Woodsman
Builds
on the skills learned in Totin' Chip.
Requirements
/ Information
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World
Conservation Award
Award
provides an opportunity for individual Cub Scouts, Boy
Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to "think
globally" and "act locally" to preserve and
improve our environment.
Requirements
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Information
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Leave No Trace Boy Scout Award
Leave
No Trace is a plan that helps people to be more concerned
about their environment and to help them protect it for
future generations. Leave No Trace applies in a backyard
or local park as much as it does in the wilderness .
Requirements
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Information
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Emergency Preparedness Award
The
Emergency Preparedness Award is part of a new BSA program
of emphasist on cooperation with the Federal Department of
Homeland Security
Requirements
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Information
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Hometown
U.S.A. Award
The
Hometown U.S.A. Award is a joint program between Keep
America Beautiful Inc. (KAB) and the Boy Scouts of
America. It is designed to give recognition to the
outstanding efforts of Scouts in their communities in
regard to citizenship and environmental improvement.
Requirements
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Historic Trails Award
Historic
Trails Award requirements emphasize cooperation between
historic societies and Boy Scouts. A unit should establish
a close relationship a local society as soon as possible
when planning a historic activity - most communities have
such societies.
Requirements
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Mile Swim Award
The Mile Swim BSA Award is offered by many Boy Scout Summer Camps as a part of their aquatics program. The patch is not worn on the uniform,
Requirements
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50-Miler Award
The
primary objective of this program is to stimulate
interest in the ideals of the movement and to promote
activity that will result in personal fitness,
self-reliance, knowledge of wood lore, and a practical
understanding of conservation.
Requirements
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100-Years
of Scouting
Program participants will earn recognition for making a difference in their communities due to their dedication to five of Scouting's core values: Leadership, Character, Community Service, Achievement, and the Outdoors. Through that commitment, participants can earn each of five award ribbons to display from our 100th Anniversary commemorative patch.
A Year of Celebration will take place from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. The program is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, adult leaders, and Scouting alumni.
Requirements
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William T. Hornaday Award
The William T. Hornaday Award
recognizes Scouts and Scouters for their service to
conservation and ecology efforts in their communities.
There are seven different Hornaday awards with varying
requirements. The youth individual awards are based on
earning certain merit badges and completing one or more
significant conservation projects.
- The Silver Medal award is the
highest possible attainment in conservation for a Boy
Scout
- The Gold Medal is the highest
possible attainment in conservation for a Scouter. The
gold medal may be considered when a qualified Scouter
is recommended by his or her council, by an
established conservation organization, or by any
recognized conservationist. The nominee must have
demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the
education of youth on a national or international
level, reflecting the natural resource
conservation/environmental awareness mission of the
Boy Scouts of America. Nominations must be approved by
the BSA's national conservation committee.
- A Unit Certificate can be awared
to a den, patrol, or group of five or more Scouts for
a unique, substantial, conservational project, but the
square knot is reserved for those earning one of the
medals.
Requirements
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Boy Scout Troop 505
