Advancement work in Varsity Scouts

Advancement work in Varsity Scouts (see chapter on the Advancement field of emphasis in the Varsity Scout Guidebook, 2000 edition, page 38-48) may differ somewhat from the way it is conducted in a scout troop and may also be scheduled differently than the other Varsity fields of emphasis:

1. In Varsity Scouts, the young men are mature enough to assume some of the responsibility for promoting advancement and recognition that is performed by adults in the Scout Troop. Therefore, advancement and recognition are under the direction of a boy Advancement Manager, assisted by an adult Advancement Advisor, including chairing of boards of review for rank advancement.
2. Typically, by the time boys are Varsity Scouts their work toward the Eagle rank needs to be individualized.  An individual advancement inventory should be conducted with each Varsity Scout resulting in a written Individual Advancement Plan (IAP) for each young man in the Team. The IAP should be a primary tool of the advancement manager and of the Team in helping team members progress in rank and to realize other achievements.  (See a sample form for IAPs (PDF file).)
3. Advancement and recognition should have the focus not only upon achieving Eagle and other scouting ranks and recognitions and scout-related religious awards, but also Varsity Letter and Denali.
4. Different than the other four Varsity fields of emphasis, advancement activities may not always be calendared quarterly.  Specific advancement activities could be scheduled if the majority of team members need the same required Merit Badge to progress toward Eagle. But rather, advancement might more often be a by-product of particular High Adventure/Sports activities being conducted. A Parents/Awards Night may suffice as the quarterly advancement activity.

Here are duties of a Varsity Team Advancement Manager.

• Promotes advancement. Encourages team members to achieve scouting ranks and recognitions, Varsity Letter, Denali award, and religious awards (for LDS youths, On My Honor and Duty to God). Informs team members of resources to help with awards and recognitions, such as merit badge workshops/pow-wows.
• Maps out IAPs. Works with the team's Coach, Captain, and advancement Program Manager to conduct an Individual Advancement Inventory with each Varsity Scout and map out a personal or individual advancement plan (IAP) with each team member.
• Displays advancement progress. Keeps advancement charts up to date and displays them at team meetings:
       Trail to the Eagle Advancement Chart
       Varsity Letter chart
       Duty to God chart
• Gets reports on advancement progress. In team meetings, gives and receives reports on team member advancement progress.
• Chairs boards of review. Conducts boards of review for scouting advancement, with coach and advancement program advisor.
• Plans and conducts Courts of Honor/Awards Nights.  Helps plan and conduct courts of honor (Parents/Awards night).