How Advancement works
The Boy Scout program is very different from the Cub Scout program - mostly in the fact that it is Boy-Led. If scouts are coming from a well-run Webelos program where they were given responsibilities and decision-making opportunities, they will shift into a troop environment easily. If their Webelos leader did all the planning and operational work, then they will have a rougher time taking on responsibility for their scouting activities.RANKS
There are 7 ranks in Boy Scouting, culminating with the Eagle Scout rank. The first 4 ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, & 1st Class) are a time for a scout to learn skills for outdoors, self-sufficiency, and citizenship. The last 3 ranks (Star, Life, Eagle) are earned by completion of merit badges, service efforts, and leadership. Once the First Class rank is earned, a scout changes from being a 'learner' to a 'leader' and is expected to teach new scouts and begin to develop leadership skills.
Either the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or higher ranking scouts approved by the Scoutmaster, will sign off on scout advancements - parents no longer do this as they did in Cub Scouts. After he has completed all the requirements for a rank advancement, the scout needs to set up a "Scoutmaster Conference" with the Scoutmaster. These conferences help the Scout to set goals for himself in line with his individual talents and abilities. At each conference, the Scoutmaster helps him evaluate how well he accomplished his present goal and then works with him in setting new goals.
After he successfully completes a Scoutmaster Conference the scout needs to schedule a "Board of Review" (BOR) with the Advancement Coordinator. A BOR is comprised of 3 to 6 Committee members and provides "quality control" on advancement within the unit, it provides an opportunity for the Scout to develop and practice those skills needed in a interview situation, and it is an opportunity for the Scout to review his accomplishments.
It is the scouts responsibility to ask for a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board-of-Review. The parent can remind the scout but should not be asking for the scout.
MERIT BADGES
In order to start work on a Merit Badge the scout needs to obtain a "Blue Card" from the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster can direct the scout to an appropriate councilor at that time.