Advancement

Community Partners

Great Lakes Council often partners with other organizations in the community to bring special opportunities for the Scouts. These may be found on the Activities & Events page as well as on the Community Partners page.

Advancement is one of the Methods used in the Scouting program to both encourage the Scouts to learn and to recognize their achievements. While the Eagle Scout Award is by far the best known, there is much more to advancement. The National Council web site says the following about the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing advancement programs.

On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As you advance through the ranks, the requirementsget more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older.

Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

A very important part of the Boy Scout advancement program is the Eagle Scout Rank process. Also critical is the strong cadre of merit badge counselors who work with the Scouts on over 170 merit badges. Learn more about being a merit badge counselor.

One of the strengths of the Venturing program is its ability to meet the interests of all Venturers. Sometimes Venturers like to investigate new, different areas. Variety in a crew always seems to make it more fun to go to meetings and outings. Also, Venturers probably have many interests or would like to have more. Because of that desire, and to provide a pathway to many different experiences, the Venturing awards program is offered.