Advancement

Troop 174’s best feature, aside from its outdoor experiences, is the excellent opportunity for advancement.  The extensive list of merit badge counselors, along with the instruction and guidance of the assistant scoutmasters and other troop committee members provides scouts the resources to prepare them to advance through the ranks of scouting.   Because these resources are available, it is possible for a motivated scout to advance in rank as soon as the time and activity requirements for each rank are fulfilled.

Tenderfoot, Second Class, & First Class

During a scout’s first year, the assistant scoutmasters and troop committee dads will work with the scouts at our regularly scheduled meetings and hikes to teach them the skills and information necessary to advance through the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks.  Tenderfoot candidates will be taught as a single class unit.  The scouts will then be broken into smaller skill based classes in order to master the scout skills required for Second Class and First Class.  This allows the scouts to advance at their own pace, providing a solid foundation for future advancement.  It is possible for a scout to achieve Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks during his first year of scouting. To do so requires diligence on the scout’s part to work on requirements, and that they attend most meetings and hikes.  Many of the requirements for these ranks involve skills best taught on hikes, making attendance on these hikes very important.

Star, Life, & Eagle

The ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class teach the scout the basic skills necessary to be a scout…camping, cooking, first aid, navigation, etc. The requirements for Star, Life and Eagle build upon these skills. The requirements for these advanced ranks are detailed in the BSA handbook.  Each rank contains components that include merit badges, troop participation, service hours and leadership.

The required Eagle service project is a significant part of the overall Eagle requirements.  Eagle candidates must keep in mind that their Eagle Project must be pre-approved by the Troop Eagle Coordinator, Scoutmaster, and the District Eagle Board before the project can begin.  A comprehensive discussion of the requirements for Eagle is available in a special folder of information supplied by the Eagle Coordinator or Advancement Chairman upon request.

Leadership Positions

The leadership requirement for the various ranks shall be discussed with the scoutmaster, and may require attendance at the troop approved Troop Leadership Development program.  The Scoutmaster shall assign each leadership position and will judge whether the scout’s performance in that position satisfies the requirement.  If leadership positions (such as patrol leader, etc) are not available, the Scoutmaster may assign a leadership project.  This may be a service project where the scout leads several other scouts in its accomplishment, or as a member of the troop Leadership Corps.

Den Chief will be accepted as a leadership position.  However, any Den Chief position must be approved before beginning the position by Mr. Otte.  There are reporting requirements associated with the acceptance of the position.  The scout will be required to work with the Den Leader to plan and execute, in full, at least 7 den meetings and report on the planning process and the execution of the plan in writing with the approval and certification of the Den Leader.

Order of the Arrow

The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:

• To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives
• To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit
• To promote Scout camping
• To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others

To become a member, a youth must be a registered member of a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team and hold First Class rank. The youth must have experienced 15 days and nights of camping during the two years before his election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps. Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow troop or Varsity team members, following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity Scout Coach.

Senior Patrol and Troop Leadership Corps

Older scouts involved with Troop 174 will earn a position in either the senior patrol or the Troop Leadership Corps. The high school (HS) patrol consists of any scout that is in the 9-12th grades and is at least a Star scout. The senior patrol participates in all troop activities as a patrol.  The Troop Leadership Corps is an honorary group of older scouts that assist the Assistant Scoutmasters and Patrol Leaders in teaching scout skills to the members of the troop.

Leadership Corps members will have completed the 9th grade, be Life or Eagle scouts, have previous scout leadership experience, and will have committed to attending specific hikes throughout the scout year. Perks of the Troop Leadership Corps include camping in their own campsite separate from the other patrols and the senior patrol, and joining the men for meals (they don’t have to prepare their own food). The Troop Leadership Corps will also have additional opportunity to participate in high adventure activities.