Advancement Documents

Cub Scouting
Boy Scouting
Venturing

A number of Scouters have provided various Spreadsheets, Word Documents, PDF Files, etc. for use by other Scouters for tracking advancements in the various Scouting sections.

Some of the documents listed below are Adobe Acrobat PDF files. If you do not have the free Acrobat Reader, click on the icon below to obtain it, so you can view and print the files.

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Unit Advancement Report Form (33403b) This is a PDF of the standard Unit Advancement Report, that can be filled in on your computer and printed and turned in to your Council Service Center. Thanks to Craig Dieter for furnishing the file.

Cub Scouting

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Boy Scouting

Interactive Merit Badge Application (34124A) This is a WORD file that allows you to fill in a Merit Badge Application "Blue Card" with your name, Merit Badge and other information. As you enter the information, it inserts the same information  correctly in all other places on the form.

Sample Merit Badge Application - This is a sample of a completed Merit Badge Application (34124A) "Blue Card" with instructions  for the \Scout, Counselor, and Unit Leader on how it should be completed.

Power Point Presentation on Scouting for the DisAbled by Terry Thrasher

Power Point Presentation for Eagle Scout Candidates by Mike Walton

This is a set of worksheets that you can use to gather all of the information you will need to fill out your Application for Eagle Scout Rank Award.

Eagle Trail PowerPoint Presentations - submitted by Joe Larkin - Central Florida Council

Power Point Presentation for Explaining the Eagle Project Planning Process by Kris Sorenson, Calumet Council, Ridge Trails District Advancement Committee

This presentation was developed by the Calumet Council, Ridge Trails District Advancement Committee and has been made available through the US Scouting Service Project with permission. It is recommended that a copy of the Eagle Application and Project Workbook be handed out during the presentation, along with copies of slides 24-34 of the presentation.

Venture Program Powerpoint Presentation by Cooper Wright (Updated 12/8/2002)

Eagle Scout Project Planning Guide, by Randall C. Smith, of Troop 389 - Arlington, Texas Tejas District / Longhorn Council

Randy has developed an Eagle Scout Service Project Planning Guide  which could be very useful.   (external link - not on the USSSP)

Merit Badge Counselor training package developed by Bob Warner, for the Piedmont District, Blue Ridge Mountains Council.  The presentation contains 64 slides. NOTE:  If you can't download the files, Bob would be happy to burn a CD disk and mail it to you, at cost, with the full PowerPoint Presentation and the handout.  Just e-mail him by clicking on his name, above.  The current version of the presentation (7.3) and Handout (8.3) include updates relating to citizenship requirements,  the new adult application, and criminal background checks.

Merit Badge Counselor Orientation Powerpoint Presentation, developed and submitted by Jeff Glaze for the Hightower Trail District, Atlanta Area Council.

Merit Badge Counselor Database for Districts and Councils. These are ZIP files (approx 100 KB each), developed by James Eager, of the Thunderbird District, Gulf Ridge Council, containing 3 files: (1) An empty Access Data Base, (2) An rtf file with instructions, and (3) a pdf file of the instructions (the rtf and pdf files contain the exact same information).  The RTF file can be opened by most word processing programs, like MSWord, WordPerfect, etc. The database is for tracking Merit Badge counselors within a District. The one minor stipulation on it's use is spelled out in the documentation (one small piece may not be changed, to allow people to contact the author for changes / updates). Anyone wishing to use this program will need a copy of any version of Microsoft Access from version 97 onwards. There are two different versions, depending on the version of Access you will be using.
Download this version if you are going to use Access 97, Access 2000, or Access 2002
Download this version if you are going to use Access 2003 or Access 2007

Eagle Application Checking Workbook (Version 3.0G - November 15, 2001)

Larry Morris and the Grand Canyon Council Advancement Committee, working with members of the USSSP, have created an Excel Workbook that allows for rapid checking and documentation of  the data on an Eagle Scout Application, for complete information, accurate dates, proper number of merit badges at the various points along the trail to Eagle, etc. It works in Excel 95/5.0 and later versions of Excel.
The spreadsheet takes into account the 2001 requirements revision to Lifesaving MB that no longer requires Swimming MB as a prerequisite.
To download a ZIPPED copy of the file, Click Here.
To download the UNZIPPED file, Click Here.

BSA has a PDF version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application (No 58-728) on their site.  It can be used as the form submitted to BSA for an Eagle Scout candidate. 

Eagle Scout Rank Application (No 58-728)

Eagle Scout Reference Requests. These are sample form letters, that can be used by a District or Council Advancement Committee for requesting References from the individuals identified on an Eagle Scout Candidate's Application form.  They include a copy of the Scout Oath and Law for use as a basis for evaluating the Scout's qualities.  One version is designed to be mailed to the references by the Council or District. The second is designed to be given to the Scout, who can then give them to the references personally, when he asks if they would be willing to provide the reference.  In either case, the letter should be accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope, addressed to the District or Council Advancement Committee, which should be used for forwarding the references in a confidential manner.

Reference Letter 1 (For mailing by District or Council)
Reference Letter 2 (For hand delivery by the Scout)

Advancement Worksheets for Scout through Tenderfoot.  These are worksheets, similar to the Merit Badge worksheets below, for use by Scouts working toward the Joining Requirements (Scout badge) and the first three ranks (Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class). 

Merit Badge Worksheets - for SCOUTS

Click Here For a complete list of Worksheets in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats, with the current requirements for all 121 merit badges, developed by Craig Lincoln.  (Note that there are also links to these worksheets at the bottom of the Merit Badge requirements pages.)

Fingerprint Card  DOC or PDF for use in the Fingerprinting Merit Badge or by parents for child identification (included with Craig's Worksheet)

Genealogy Pedigree Chart DOC or PDF and Family Group Record Chart DOC or PDF for use in Genealogy Merit Badge (both are included with Craig's Worksheet)

Home Electrical Safety Inspection Checklist DOC or PDF for for use in Electricity Merit Badge (included with Craig's Worksheet)

Home Energy Audit Checklist  DOC or PDF for for use in Energy Merit Badge (included with Craig's Worksheet)

Home Safety Checklist  DOC or PDF for for use in Crime Prevention Merit Badge (included with Craig's Worksheet)

Home Safety Checklist  DOC or PDF for for use in Fire Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Safety Merit Badges (included with Craig's Worksheets)

Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge Worksheet  by Rick Tyler Word Format or PDF Format

Merit Badge Worksheets - for Counselors (Word Docs) by Keith Hudy

Fly Fishing Questions and Answers used for teaching the Merit Badge

Computers PowerPoint Presentation used for teaching the Merit Badge,
prepared by Tom Foss and Jose Remon

Citizenship in the Community PowerPoint Presentation used for teaching the Merit Badge, prepared by Tamie Balderrama

Quizzes on First Aid, the Flag, Citizenship, and Knots, developed by Gene von Rosenberg

Scout Spirit Scavenger Hunt.  A worksheet for Scouts to use to prepare for discussion of Scout Spirit at their Scoutmaster Conferences, developed by Rick Seymour

Essay on Advancement by John M. Teske, Southern Trails Advancement Chairman

Click here to see a copy of a letter from the BSA National Office announcing  changes to Swimming MB and First Class rank swimming requirements which became effective on January 1, 2002. (pdf file)

Advancement Forms

Merit Badge Counselor Information Form BSA Form 34405
(PDF File from BSA Website)
(Word Document)
Brooklyn Council version - Word Document)

Merit Badge Counseling - based on BSA Form 34520
A Guide for Counselors - Word document developed by Mike Poretsky

Advancement Report
(BSA Form 34403 - PDF File from BSA Website)

Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges
(BSA Form 58-730 - PDF File)

Application for Eagle Scout Palm
(BSA Form 58-709 - PDF File)

Transfer Form (Youth Member) / Leadership Transfer Notice
(BSA Form 28-401 - PDF File)

Troop Resource Survey
BSA Form 4437 - PDF Form)

Application for Merit Badge
(BSA Form 34124 - PDF File)

Miscellaneous Documents

Similarities and Differences between Venture, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing in tabular form, contributed by Michael R. Brown

A ZIP file of all of the GIFS of the current Merit Badges and a text file listing the Merit Badges and the BSA assigned numbers and the file names of the GIFS.  The Text file can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

A Copy of a letter from the Director of Boy Scout Advancement, confirming that Scouts that start on a Merit Badge  before the requirements change, can continue using the OLD Requirements. Click Here to view it (GIF - 23 KB).

Mr. D's Merit Badge Review - This is a spreadsheet listing Richard Diesslin's recommendations on each of 120 merit badges (omits Composite Materials), listing the number of requirements, difficulty, how long it should take to complete, any prerequisites, and general comments.  The spreadsheet is available as an Excel file (43 KB) for download, or as a web page for on-line viewing.

Excel Spreadsheet (43KB)
Web Page

Advancement Guidelines - This is an explanation of the process for Boy Scout Advancement, including suggestions for record keeping, prepared by Sarah Nunez, of Troop 880 in Amarillo, Texas, in Golden Spread Council.  It's available as a Word Document for download, or as a web page for on-line viewing.

Word Document
Web Page

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Venturing

Venturing Literature and Resources. A variety of books, pamphlets, and videos have been developed to assist with organization, program, leadership, and activities. In particular, the Venturing Leader Manual will support leadership and planning. A comprehensive list of available material with current version numbers is available on BSA's official website.  Click Here

Similarities and Differences between Venture, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing in tabular form, contributed by Michael R. Brown

Venturing Methods

Venturing Awards Requirements (PDF File - 85KB) by Matt Petrik

Venturing Advancement Opportunities Chart (PDF File - 499KB) by J. Soni Davidson

Venturing Crew Advancement Tracking Spreadsheet, by Brad Andrews (XLS file - 76KB)

Power Point Presentations provided by
Brad Harris, Associate Director, Venturing Division, BSA

Venturing - The Next Step (666KB)
Venturing Leader Specific Training (209 KB)

Power Point Presentations supplied by George Crowl

Venturing Awards (955 KB)
Venturing Commissioner Training (724KB)
Venturing Specific Leader Training (1.3 MB)

Power Point Presentation on Scouting for the DisAbled by Terry Thrasher

Venturing Gold Award Application Form supplied by Russell Holeman
(RTF File - 69KB)

Venturing First Aid - When Help is Delayed supplied by Russell Holeman. (411KB)
Here is the description he provided:

One of the requirements in the Venture Ranger Award program is to participate in a When Help is Delayed or an equivalent course. I had a difficult time trying to get my crew members scheduled into the local Red Cross - When Help is Delayed training. As a result of this, I have compiled information from the Boy Scout First Aid Training, Red Cross First Aid Training, and Red Cross - When Help is Delayed into a session called "Venturing First Aid - When Help is Delayed." This is a power point presentation which is designed to be presented at a crew meeting or during a one hour training session at a campout.

Links to Other Power Point Presentations (These are NOT on the USSSP site)

Venturing Adult Leader Basic Training (Generic Venturing version)
Venturing Adult Leader Basic Training (Sea Scouting version)

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Page updated on: March 08, 2010


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