First Class by First Year

The Boy Scout advancement program is subtle. It places a series of challenges in front of a Scout in a manner that is fun and educational. As Scouts meet these challenges, they achieve the aims of Boy Scouting. The Scout advances and grows in the Boy Scout phase of the program in he same way a plant grows by receiving nourishment in the right environment.. The job of adults concerned with advancement is to provide the right environment for growth.

Standards for joining a Boy Scout troop and for advancement are listed in the latest printing of the Boy Scout Handbook and in the current Boy Scout Requirements Book.

Advancement accommodates the three aims of Scouting: citizenship, growth in moral strength and character, and mental and physical development.

The advancement program is designed to provide the Boy Scout with a chance to achieve the aims of Scouting. As a Scout advances he is measured and grows in confidence and self-reliance.

Troop Advancement Goals
The Scoutmaster must be in charge of advancement in the troop. It is necessary that the Scoutmaster understand the purpose of the advancement program and the importance it has in the development of the Scouts in the troop. The troop's program must provide advancement opportunities. By participating in the troop program, the Scout will meet requirements for rank advancement.

The troop's unit commissioner and the district advancement committee can play an important part in explaining advancement and helping the Scoutmaster utilize the advancement program in the troop program, making it exciting to the Scouts in the troop.

It is important that the troop committee and the Scoutmaster set an advancement goal for the year. A basic goal should be for each Scout to advance a rank during the year. New Scouts should earn the First Class rank during their first year in the troop. By doing so, these new Scouts become net contributors to the troop and are able to care for themselves and others. When reviewed monthly by the troop committee, Scouts will recognize the importance of advancement. Troops should conduct boards of review for Scouts who are not advancing. A minimum of four courts of honor a year (one every three months) should be held to formally recognize the Scouts in the troop.

While there is no typical scout, the large percent of scouts join in the winter / spring as Webelos crossing over. Will will use this as a base to show a plan of getting these scouts to First Class within a year.

Feburary/March: The New Scouts join or Webelos cross over.
Goal: Get these boys (and parents) to have their New Scout and Tenderfoot requirements within two months. The Eastern District Camporee will be in late March or early April and can be a great opportunity to jump into scouting activities / f campout. Consider having a "Patrol Dad" to guide new scouts through the requirements. Need to have the initial Physical Fitness test asap with practices held each meeting till the 30 day period is complete.

Each meeting cover the various requirements:
A. Meeting topic

April/Summer: The scouts should have completed their requirements for Tenderfoot by the 2nd / 3rd month after joining. It is time to start stressing Camp Kia Kima or other summer camp.

Summer Camp: I recommend the scouts take First Aid and Swimming Merit Badge. This should cover their first aid and Swimming requirements of 2nd Class. They can either take the new scout programs or I would also have them consider taking "fun" merit badges.

Campouts: They need to participate in at least 5 separate / patrol (other than regular meetings). This will typically be a campout (minimum 2 required). The meetings lead up to and the campout (Shiloh is a good opportunity for the compass / hike requirement) are perfect opportunities for these requirements

Other requirements of flag ceremony, service projects and drug/alcohol/tobacco dangers: School., church or other organizations should provide ample opportunities to complete these requirements.

Assuming the Scout joined in February/March and goes to Summer Camp, he should have earned his Second Class requirements by September.

The requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on Simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence.

From Second Class to First Class: Assuming it is September (approx. sixth month in scouting) =, each meeting and campout should have a theme stressing a particular group of requirements. Some of these may be reinforcing what was already earned in an earlier campout or summer camp. If themes of a group of requirements are organized properly, the scouts should be easily able to earn their First Class by the 10th to 12 th month after joining. For example:

Cooking: A consideration would be to have a new set of scouts be responsible as each campout grub-masters.

Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat

Successfully complete the
BSA swimmer test

Swimmer Test

The swimmer test demonstrates the minimum level of swimming ability required for safe deep-water swimming. The various components of the test evaluate the several skills essential to this minimum level of swimming ability:

Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming. Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.

The test administrator must objectively evaluate the individual performance of the test, and in so doing should keep in mind the purpose of each test element.

"Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming..."
The swimmer must be able to make an abrupt entry into deep water and begin swimming without any aids. Walking in from shallow water, easing in from the edge or down a ladder, pushing off from side or bottom, or gaining forward momentum by diving do not satisfy this requirement.
"...Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl;..."
The swimmer must be able to cover distance with a strong, confident stroke. The 75 yards must not be the outer limit of the swimmer's ability; completion of the distance should give evidence of sufficient stamina to avoid undue risks. Dog-paddling and strokes repeatedly interrupted and restarted are not sufficient; underwater swimming is not permitted. The itemized strokes are inclusive. Any strong side or breaststroke or any strong overarm stroke (including the back crawl) is acceptable.
"...swim 25 yards using; an easy, resting backstroke..."
The swimmer must indicate the ability to execute a restful, free-breathing backstroke that can be used to avoid exhaustion during swimming activity. This element of the test necessarily follows the more strenuous swimming activity to show that the swimmer is, in fact, able to use the backstroke as a relief from exertion. The change of stroke must be accomplished in deep water without any push- off or other aid. Any variation of the elementary may suffice if it clearly provides opportunity for the swimmer to rest and regain wind.
"...The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and include at least one sharp turn..."
The total distance is to be covered without rest stops. The sharp turn simply demonstrates the swimmer's ability to reverse direction in deep water without assistance or push-off from side or bottom.
"...After completing the swim, rest by floating.''
This critically important component of the test evaluates the swimmer's ability to maintain in the water indefinitely even though exhausted or otherwise unable to continue swimming. Treading water or swimming in place will further tire the swimmer and are therefore unacceptable. The duration of the float test is not significant, except that it must be long enough for the test administrator to determine that swimmer is, in fact, resting and could likely continue to do so for a prolonged time. The drown proofing technique may be sufficient if clearly restful, but it is not preferred. If the test is completed except for the float requirement, the swimmer may be retested on the floating only (after instruction) provided that the test administrator is confident that the swimmer can initiate the float when exhausted.

Reference: Swimming and Lifesaving merit badge pamphlets

Beginner Test

Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off, swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming as before, and return to starting place.

The entry and turn serve the same purpose as in the swimmer test. The swimming can be done with any stroke, but no underwater swimming is permitted. The stop assures that the swimmer can regain a stroke if it is interrupted. The test demonstrates that the beginning swimmer is ready to learn deepwater skills and has the minimum ability required for safe swimming in a confined area in which shallow water, sides, or other support is less than 25 feet from any point in the water.

Pool and Surf Swimming

The Safe Swim Defense applies to swimming at the beach, private or public pool, wilderness pond, stream, lake, or anywhere Scouts swim. Here are some additional points for the pool and the surf.

Pool -- If the swimming activity is in a public facility where others are using the pool at the same time, and the pool operator provides guard personnel, there may be no need for additional designation of Scout lifeguards and lookout.

The buddy system is critically important. however, even in a public pool. Remember. even in a crowd, you are alone without protection if no one is attentive to your circumstances.

The rule that people swim only in water suited to their ability and with others of similar ability applies in a pool environment. Most public pools divide shallow and deep water, and this may be sufficient for defining appropriate swimming areas. If not, the supervisor should clearly indicate to the participating Scouts the appropriate areas of the public facility. Although such procedures add a margin of safety, their use may not always be practical when the swim activity is conducted at a public facility where non-Scouts are present. A responsible adult supervisor, who understands his or her responsibility and the elements of safety, can exercise discretion regarding certain procedures while maintaining safety.

Surf -- The surf swimming environment of wave action, currents, tides, undertow, runouts, and sea pests like stinging jellyfish requires precautions for safe swimming that aren't necessary in other environments. A swimmer's physical condition is very important and should enable the swimmer to recover footing in waves, swim vigorously for at least five minutes without becoming exhausted. and remain calm and in control when faced with unexpected conditions.

Designated swimming areas are marked by flags or pennants that are easily seen. Beginners and nonswimmers are positioned inshore from the standing lifeguards equipped with reach poles. Better swimmers are permitted seaward of the lifeguard but must remain shoreward of anchored marker buoys. The lifeguard-to-swimmer ratio should always be 1-to- 10, with a rescue team stationed at the beach area and supplied with a rescue tube or torpedo buoy.

With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)

The key to all these activities for rank advancement is to make them not appear as a "requirement" but fun...

a	Help plan a patrol menu for one campout - including one breakfast, lunch, and dinner - that requires cooking. Tell how the menu includes the foods from the food pyramid and meets nutritional needs.
b	Using the menu planned in requirement 4a, make a list showing the cost and food amounts needed to feed three or more boys and secure the ingredients.
c	Tell which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
d	Explain the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food products. Tell how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic containers, and other rubbish.
e	On one campout, serve as your patrol's cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in requirement 4a. Lead your patrol in saying grace at the meals and supervise cleanup.

a	Demonstrate tying the bowline knot and describe several ways it can be used
b	Demonstrate bandages for a sprained ankle. and for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and the collarbone
c	Tell which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
d	Show how to transport by yourself, and with one other person, a person: from a smoke-filled room with a sprained ankle, for at least 25 yards
e	Tell the five most common signs of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)