TroopMaster !

Troop 72 uses TroopMaster software which allows scouts, leaders, parents to access and track their Scout advancement, activities, outings, etc. via a web browser.

To view TroopMaster click on the picture to the right.
For login & password credentials : contact Troop Adult Advancement Coordinator

Rank Advancement

Youth Protection Pamphlet(required for Star rank)

Advancement is an important part of Scouting. It is a measure of your growth and progress.

Each Scout should keep his own personal advancement record and record of service hours, campouts, troop activities and leadership positions in his copy of The Boy Scout Handbook.
The troop also keeps advancement records electronically on Troopmaster Web.
Scouts may work on advancement with fellow Scouts, Scout Leaders, parents and merit badge counselors.
Scouts may work on advancement on their own, in a patrol, at selected Troop meetings, and during some Troop functions/outings.
Scout skills for Scout rank through First Class can sometimes be worked on before a troop meeting with an Assistant Scoutmaster and a Troop Instructor or Scout that needs to meet his EDGE requirement.
Scout skills can be mastered by reading, doing, understanding, and through repeated practice, even after the skill has been "signed off."
Scoutmaster Conference/ Board Of Review Request here.

Scoutmaster Conference

A Scoutmasters Conference is required for each rank advancement.
This conference is an opportunity for a Scout to review his accomplishments required for each rank and to discuss his future goals.
A Scout does not have to wait until he has completed requirements for another rank to request a Scoutmaster conference.
To count towards rank advancement, however, a Scoutmaster Conference must take place after all other requirements are complete and before the Board of Review.

Steps to Plan fore requesting a Scoutmaster Conference

Before requesting a Scoutmasters Conference, a Scout should present his handbook to the Advancement Chair for review.
Scoutmaster Conferences for the skills ranks (Scout through First Class) may be conducted by the Scoutmaster or any Assistant Scoutmaster within the troop.
Scoutmaster Conferences for the ranks of Star, Life Eagle will be scheduled with the Scoutmaster.
Upon completion of your Scoutmaster Conference, your Scout Handbook should be turned over to the Adult Advancement Chair so that your Troopmaster advancement record may be updated prior to your Board of Review.

Board of Review

A Board of Review is required for each rank advancement (with the exception of "Scout Rank").
After completing the requirements and getting approval through a Scoutmaster Conference, you must contact the Scout Advancement coordinator(s) to request a Board of Review.
You may also see the adult Advancement Chair to inquire about a Board of Review.
Scouts should read the following document to prepare for a BOR : Preparing for the Review Board
Boards of Review are setup by the Scout Advancement Coordinator and are scheduled for a Thursday evening at the community house.
Scouts should be dressed in full Class "A" uniform, (including neckerchief, socks, belt, and sash).
Scouts should bring their Boy Scout Handbook, and if sitting for Star, Life or Eagle rank, bring your completed blue cards.
Scouts are requested to invite a fellow Scout(also in full Class A uniform) to introduce them to the Board of Review members.
Your review will discuss your trail to Eagle, quiz you on required knowledge and skills for your rank, and evaluate you in terms of troop activities and preparedness for the new rank.
Scouts are encouraged to provide feedback to the Troop Committee about activities and his scouting experience.

The Board will inform scouts if they qualify for the next rank or what actions you must take to qualify. Scouts should not always expect to pass every Board of Review the first time. You must earn your rank before it is awarded. If you do not advance in rank over a period of approximately one year, you may be asked to participate in a Scoutmaster Conference for an interim evaluation of your progress. This helps both you and the adult leaders monitor Scouts that are advancing so they can offer appropriate encouragement and guidance.

Merit Badges

Important: Merit badges are not self-study. All merit badges must be worked on with a registered merit badge counselor.

Blue Card and the Merit Badge Process

If you would like to work on a merit badge, go to the Adult Advancement Coordinator to ask permission and request a Blue Card.
If the Advancement Coordinator agrees that you are ready, they will provide you a "blue card"--a record of your work on that merit badge, and the name of a merit badge counselor.
A merit badge counselor is someone with special knowledge or expertise in the subject matter of the merit badge.
It will be the responsibility of the Scout to call the counselor to set up an appointment to work on the merit badge with him/her.
Scouts will need to read the merit badge pamphlet for that badge. They may borrow the pamphlet from the troop library (if one exist) or from the counselor, or you can purchase.
When a Scout has completed all of the requirements, the counselor will sign the "blue card" and tear off one section of it for his/her records.
Scouts are to take the other two parts to the Scoutmaster. He will sign it and turn it in to the troop Advancement Chairman so that the scout may be awarded the merit badge.
Scouts will recieve one section of the blue card back when presented the physical badge. Keep it safe! It is a Scouts record that he earned the badge.

Recognition

Troop recognition of rank advancement is announced at Troop meetings. Badges are presented during a formal recognition at a Court of Honor with family and friends present. The Troop usually holds three Courts of Honor a year(October, March, and June), with younger Scouts also being recognized at Troop Eagle Courts of Honor as they occur.

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