Pack 362

Advancements

CUB SCOUT ADVANCEMENT FOR RANK BADGE
Advancement is the methods cub scouts uses to achieve the desired outcomes. As scout earn their ranks of Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and the Arrow of Light, they will achieve important goals that developes their skills. Cub scouts focus on personal fitness, good character, participatory citizenship, outdoor skills, awareness, and leadership development.

Each rank will achieve the goals of cub scout through a serious of developmentally-appropriate and fun adventures.

 RECOGNITION PROCESS
Cub Scouts do not wait several months to be recognized the boys for their hard work. The Cub Scout program recognizes completion each goals and step that leads to advancement  of the next rank.

Advancement gives scouts a means of measuring their progress. Credit is given to the Cub Scout for each requirement.

when the adult partner (Tigers), den leader, and/or Webelos adventure pin counselor is satisfied that the boy has done his best.

Ensuring that scouts are recognized immediately and publicly for their efforts is an important part of the advancement process. No scout should have to wait for more than two weeks to receive a device and be recognized for his/her accomplishments. Your pack may approach this in a variety of ways:

• The den leader may provide the recognition device (a pin for scouts working on Webelos and Arrow of Light adventures or an adventure loop for scouts working on Tiger, Wolf, and Bear adventures) at the final meeting when the Cub Scouts complete the adventure. At the following pack meeting, the scouts would then receive a certificate during a brief ceremony. (Full-size and pocket certificates are available from your local Scout shop.)
• The pack may provide certificates for den leaders to award when scouts complete the adventure and then present the adventure loops and pins at the next pack meeting. Packs are encouraged to find a method that works well for the scouts in the pack, guided by principles that recognition is both immediate to encourage the scouts and public to celebrate their success.

Advancement provides a satisfying means of recognizing boys for their progress. Scouts have a ladder to climb, with recognition at each step. Presenting awards to scouts in meaningful ceremonies to recognize their accomplishments is a principle of advancement. Advancement is not competition among scouts. Each Cub Scout is encouraged to advance steadily and purposefully, setting his/her own goals with guidance from his family and leaders. Measurement for satisfying requirements is “Do Your Best,” and that level can be different for each scout.

HOW THE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM WORKS
The success of the advancement program depends entirely on how Cub Scout leaders and parents apply it. Careful research has gone into developing the advancement program, but den and pack leaders and families make advancement work in the dens, in the home, and, most importantly, in the lives of our scouts.

Goals of the Advancement Program
When implemented correctly, the advancement program will:

• Help build a scouts self-esteem.
• Help build his/her self-reliance as they discovers his/her increasing abilities.
• Give a scout the positive recognition that they need.
• Bring a scout and his/her family closer through the advancement activities that family members enjoy together.

The Den Leader 
The den leader has the following responsibilities related to advancement.

1. Stimulate interest in advancement by delivering fun and exciting den meetings using the Den Leader Guide and by providing opportunities for scouts to work on advancement requirements in den meetings.
2. Plan meetings that support the advancement program. 
3. Help parents and adult partners understand the advancement plan and their role in promoting advancement. Make sure returning parents understand how the advancement process works at each program level.
4. Keep accurate records of requirements that scouts complete. Promptly provide the pack leadership with the advancement records so scouts can be recognized at the next pack meeting.
5. Provide reinforcement for and recognition of advancement at den meetings. These can include advancement charts, den doodles, and immediate recognition items.
6. Make sure that impressive advancement ceremonies and graduation ceremonies are conducted at the pack meetings. For the Arrow of Light rank, involve the Scoutmaster and the troop’s youth leaders.

The Cubmaster 
The Cubmaster has these responsibilities related to advancement.

1. Provide a quality year-round program full of action and fun that appeals to boys and girls. See that den and pack activities are planned so that completing required and elective adventures for all levels is a natural outcome of the month of fun.
2. Guide den leaders in the use of the Den Leader Guide to help organize and deliver each meeting’s program for each level of programming.
3. Work with den leaders to coordinate den activities at pack meetings that support the use of the Cub Scout adventure program materials.
4. Provide advancement reinforcement at the pack meeting, such as colorful and exciting induction, advancement, and graduation ceremonies. Encourage displays of advancement charts and den doodles at pack meetings.
5. Ensure that scouts who have earned awards receive them at the next pack meeting. Don’t let scouts get discouraged by having to wait for recognition.
6. Make sure that den leaders are trained and know how to use the advancement program effectively.
7. See that advancement standards are maintained. Every scout should do his/her best to complete the requirements as presented in the program.
8. Coordinate with the pack committee to ensure that accurate advancement records are kept. Follow up on scouts who are not advancing and find out why.