Advancement Program

The path from Scout to Eagle Scout

Advancement in Scouting is a personal journey. Each Scout progresses at their own pace through a series of ranks, learning new skills, demonstrating leadership, and building character along the way. From your first day as a Scout to earning the prestigious Eagle rank, Troop 1128 provides the support and opportunities you need to succeed.

The Rank Trail

Seven ranks lead from Scout to Eagle, each building on the skills and experiences of the previous rank.

Scout Rank

The first rank earned by new Scouts. Requirements include learning about Scouting's values, basic outdoor skills, and Troop participation. Most Scouts complete this rank within their first few months.

Key Skills: Scout Oath and Law, basic knots, outdoor code

Tenderfoot Rank

Building on Scout rank, Tenderfoot requires camping experience, physical fitness, citizenship, and more advanced outdoor skills. Scouts must participate in a Troop campout and hike.

Key Skills: Navigation, camping skills, fitness goals, community service

Second Class Rank

Second Class Scouts demonstrate increased outdoor competency through camping, cooking, nature observation, and swimming or hiking requirements. Leadership begins to play a larger role.

Key Skills: Outdoor cooking, nature identification, compass use, water safety

First Class Rank

First Class is a major milestone representing a well-rounded Scout with solid outdoor skills, fitness habits, and citizenship awareness. Many consider this the foundation for higher ranks.

Key Skills: Advanced first aid, orienteering, citizenship, leadership development

Star Rank

Star rank emphasizes merit badge work and sustained Troop participation. Scouts must serve in a leadership position and earn 6 merit badges, including 4 required Eagle badges.

Focus: Leadership, service, merit badges, active participation (4 months)

Life Rank

Life Scouts are experienced leaders who continue merit badge work and demonstrate sustained commitment. This rank requires 11 merit badges total and continued leadership service.

Focus: Continued leadership, 5 additional merit badges, active participation (6 months)

Eagle Scout Rank

The highest rank in Scouting, earned by only about 6% of Scouts. Requires 21 merit badges in total, sustained leadership, and completion of a significant service project that benefits the community.

How Advancement Works

Follow these steps to complete each rank and celebrate your accomplishments.

Step 1: Learn & Do

Work on your rank requirements at meetings, campouts, and on your own. Get sign-offs in your Scout handbook from qualified leaders as you complete each requirement.

Step 2: Get Your Green Sheet

Once almost all your requirements are complete, contact the Advancement team to verify your Scout handbook. They will issue a Green Sheet and notify the Assistant Senior Patrol leaders as well as the Scoutmaster that you are ready to complete the last few requirements.

Contact: advancement@troop1128.org

Step 3: Spirit Board

Attend a Spirit Board - a youth-led review conducted by three youth leaders (experienced scouts) plus one Assistant Scoutmaster. They'll discuss your demonstration of Scout Spirit and Troop participation.

Required for all rank advancements (excluding Scout rank)

Step 4: Scoutmaster Conference

Meet one-on-one with the Scoutmaster to discuss your Scouting journey, experiences, and goals. This is a mentoring conversation, not a test.

Step 5: Board of Review

The final step! Meet with a Board of Review (three adult committee members) to share your experiences and accomplishments. This is a celebration of what you've achieved.

Learn more about Boards of Review →

Step 6: Recognition

Receive your new rank patch and recognition at our next Court of Honor, where we celebrate all Scouts' accomplishments in front of the Troop, families, and friends.

Courts of Honor held three times per year

Be Active Policy

Troop 1128's Be Active Policy ensures Scouts are actively participating in Troop activities before advancing in rank. These requirements apply to all Scouts.

Star Rank

First Class working on Star

  • Active 4 months minimum
  • 1 Troop campout
  • 1 day event

Life Rank

Star working on Life

  • Active 6 months minimum
  • 2 Troop campouts
  • 2 separate day events

Eagle Rank

Life working on Eagle

  • Active 6 months minimum
  • 2 Troop campouts
  • 2 separate day events

Note for Transfer Scouts

Previous participation in another Troop does not fulfill Troop 1128's Be Active Policy. Transfer Scouts must complete the policy requirements within Troop 1128 before advancing in rank.

Merit Badges

Merit badges allow Scouts to explore interests, develop new skills, and prepare for careers. There are over 130 merit badges covering topics from arts to sciences to outdoor skills. Visit the official Scouting America Merit Badges page for the full list of available merit badges, requirements, and workbooks.

Eagle-Required Badges

There are 14 required merit badges that every Eagle Scout must earn, plus a choice of additional badges to reach the total of 21.

  • First Aid
  • Citizenship in Society
  • Citizenship in Community
  • Citizenship in Nation
  • Citizenship in World
  • Communication
  • Cooking
  • Personal Fitness
  • Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
  • Environmental Science OR Sustainability
  • Personal Management
  • Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling
  • Camping
  • Family Life

Exploring Interests

Beyond Eagle-required badges, Scouts can earn merit badges in areas that interest them:

  • Arts & Hobbies: Art, Music, Theater, Photography
  • STEM: Robotics, Programming, Engineering, Aviation
  • Outdoor Skills: Wilderness Survival, Backpacking, Climbing
  • Career Exploration: Law, Medicine, Business, Trades
  • Citizenship: American Heritage, American Cultures

How to Earn Merit Badges

To earn a merit badge, Scouts work with approved counselors who are experts in the subject.

Process:

  1. Notify the Advancement team of your intent to earn a merit badge.
  2. Meet with the Scoutmaster or their designee.
  3. Either receive a blue card for merit badge counselors to complete, or the Advancement team will link the merit badge counselor with the Scout in Scoutbook (preferred method).
  4. Contact the counselor and complete all requirements (two-deep leadership required).
  5. If applicable, return the completed and signed off Blue Card to the Advancement team.

Note: Cooking and Camping merit badges are preferred to be completed within the Troop.

Advancement Support

Track Your Progress

Use Scoutbook (the official Scouting America tracking system) to log completed requirements, view your rank progress, and see which merit badges you're working on.

Visit Scoutbook

Need Help?

Contact our Advancement team for questions about rank requirements, Green Sheets, Spirit Boards, merit badge counselors, or Boards of Review.

Email: troop1128adv@gmail.com

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Join Troop 1128 and begin your advancement toward Eagle Scout. We provide the support, guidance, and opportunities you need to succeed.

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