ADVANCEMENT NOTES 
By Col. Jim Smith

Now that Summer Camp is Over..... 

The summer is over and with it the end of the 2003 summer session of the Katahdin Area Council's Camp Roosevelt. Historically, much of the Scout's advancement for the year takes place during camp. Now, the Troop Advancement Chairman and the Troop Committee have the important task of collecting and recording the scout's accomplishments at camp on the Troop Advancement Chart. First, separate completed merit badge and advancement cards from those which have been partially completed. Those that have been completed, including a Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review, if required, should be taken or mailed as soon as possible to the Council Service Center to obtain the awards. Scouts expect timely recognition for their accomplishments. Moreover, the closer the recognition is to the completion of an advancement task, the greater the impact. Timely action reinforces the Scout's sense of accomplishment of a difficult challenge successfully met. 

The partially completed merit badges should play a major role in the development of the Troop activities and advancement plan for each Scout. Once those "partials" have been collected and recorded, they should be reviewed by the Scoutmaster and Troop Advancement Committee to confirm with the Scout the requirements needing completion. This review also helps the development of an activities plan to ensure Scouts have the opportunity to complete the remaining requirements. 

The Scoutmaster's Conference: Counseling in Action 

Each of the six ranks in Boy Scouts contains the requirement to participate in a Scoutmaster Conference. However, the conference can be used as a valuable counseling tool at any time and for a variety of reasons. One of the most important purposes of the conferences is to develop an increasing level of understanding and trust between Scoutmaster and Scout. The Scoutmaster is in a unique position to guide a boy through some very difficult years leading to manhood. As this relationship develops, the Scoutmaster can be increasingly effective in helping the boy get the most from Scouting. The conferences also provide the Scoutmaster with the opportunity to contribute to the boy's personal growth and development, and reinforce that Scout Spirit means living the Scout Oath and Law in his everyday life. When a boy first joins Scouting, the Scoutmaster Conference is especially important, for it is here with the new Scout that the understanding and trust begins. This initial conference also allows the Scoutmaster to explain the expectations that the Scoutmaster and the Troop have for him. Finally, Scoutmaster Conferences ensure the Scout is properly prepared for the Board of Review at each rank. It helps the Scout evaluating his accomplishments and set new personal goals with his Scoutmaster. Setting goals with the Scout makes it possible for the Scoutmaster to help him with his weaknesses, encourage the Scout in developing his strengths, and prepare to meet the challenges of the next rank. 

Advancement Tips!

	All merit badge councilors should periodically review new books and requirements. Councilors cannot add or delete requirements.
	Troops a reminder that you should keep your libraries up to date - That way the Scouts have the most current requirements at hand.
	Everyone is reminded to check the front cover of the most current Boy Scout Requirements book 2002 – 2003 for information pertaining to rank or merit badge changes that may have occurred.
	Any Scouts who received a partial at summer camp is encouraged to complete them before January 2003, should the requirements change you will be required to complete all new requirements as well.  The only three badges not included are rifle, shotgun, and archery.  These can be completed at camp next summer.
	Troops are reminded to have Webelos II Scouts visiting the meetings, this will make the transition into Boy Scouting smoother.