“Active Participation Requirements” for Rank Advancement
PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to provide Scouts with the expectations with respect to meeting the “be active” requirements for the ranks of Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.
* IMPORTANT NOTES *
- All scouts are welcome and wanted at all meetings, outings, and events. This policy is for rank advancement, not for membership, and should never been seen as a way to limit the participation of a scout if he is also busy with another activity (school, sport, school club, family, etc.). The troop is here for whatever amount of time a scout can participate.
- More importantly, Troop 332 encourages our Scouts and families to explore life experiences outside of the troop and/or Scouting. We believe things like OA, Scout training events, sports, band, debate, family events, and other activities available are important components of becoming a well-rounded person. We merely ask that while away in those other things, the Scout tries his best to stay connected with the troop and patrol when possible.
- It’s not required to be an “Active Scout” the entire time you are enrolled in the troop. However, in respect to what counts towards rank advancement, this is Troop 332’s definition of Active Scout.
SECOND CLASS
The active participation requirement is specifically defined in requirement 1a as:
“Since joining, participate in five separate troop/patrol activities, three of which include overnight camping. These five activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On at least two of the three campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect (such as a lean-to, snow cave, or tepee).”
There is no set length of time (i.e. in terms of months) for which this requirement needs to be met.
FIRST CLASS
The active participation requirement is specifically defined in requirement 1a as:
“Since joining, participate in 10 separate troop/patrol activities, six of which include overnight camping. These 10 activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On at least five of the six campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect (such as a lean-to, snow cave, or tepee).”
There is no set length of time (i.e. in terms of months) for which this requirement needs to be met.
STAR, LIFE, & EAGLE
Each of these ranks has the “Be active in your troop…” requirement for a set number of months, which are four months for Star, six months for Life, and six months for Eagle.
To be considered “active” for Star, Life, and Eagle, a scout must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Attend at least two weekly troop meetings each month that the scout wishes to be considered as an active month;
- Participate in a required number of troop activities (as outlined below), other than a regular patrol or troop meeting, in at least one half of the months he considers active, which can be any of the following: Troop or patrol campout, other weekend troop activity, troop service project, or Eagle Scout service project;
- For Star, this is 2 activities; for Life and Eagle, this is 3 activities each.
- Active months need not be consecutive, but must be completed in the 12 previous calendar months prior to the scout seeking his Board of Review for that Rank.
Attendance at week-long summer camp meets both the weekly meeting and troop activity requirements for the month, usually July, and a scout who attends camp is active for that month.
Troop 332 Encourages Scouts to attend all meetings and activities when possible. We also expect those holding leadership positions during these times to be more active than those without a position.
Revised October 2019