Advancement at Camp

Merit Badges
Only those merit badges authorized by the advancement and camping committees will be offered at summer camp.  Requirements are taken from the 2006 Boy Scout Requirement Book and not the merit badge pamphlets. In signing up for merit badges at camp, scouts are to use the merit badge application supplied in the appendix of this guidebook (not blue or yellow cards). Please make sure that the application is completed and that you, the scoutmaster, fill in and approve the prerequisites that have been completed.  If the scout does not complete the prerequisites before attending camp, the summer camp staff will issue a partial completion of the merit badge. Scouts applying for merit badges will turn in unit leader approved applications during merit badge sign up at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Merit badge sign up is held in the dining hall lawn. At the end of the week, merit badge counselors will return the applications to the Unit Leader.

Partially Completed Merit Badges
Merit badge applications will indicate if a merit badge is completed or not.  Partially completed merit badge will have a list of requirements that were not completed.  It is the unit leader’s responsibility to see that the scout completes the merit badge after camp with the aid of a registered merit badge counselor.

Picking up your Troop’s Advancements
Unit leaders may collect their unit’s merit badge applications Friday evening after supper from the headquarters building. Program area directors will be on hand to answer questions and clear up issues.

If you wish to fill your advancement order at camp, you must submit your advancement report and a written check by 8:45 PM Friday evening with a summary sheet of the total number of each individual badge needed.  Unit leaders may pick up their merit badges Saturday morning before departing camp. If a unit checks out of camp on Friday, the camp staff will be unable to fill its advancement report. Blank merit badge cards will be included in the advancement package.

Progress Awards (Ranks)
If a scout earns a progress award while at camp, it is the unit leader’s responsibility to have the scout reviewed by a board of review. In most cases, a board of review can be conducted at camp using leaders from other units to assist you. The unit leaders must then complete an advancement report and turn it in to the headquarters building before noon on Friday. Progress awards will be included in the unit’s advancement package to be picked up Saturday before departure.

Merit Badge Pamphlets
The camp trading post sells merit badge pamphlets for approximately $3.50 each. The camp does not loan merit badge pamphlets to scouts. Scouts are encouraged to purchase their pamphlets Sunday evening or on Monday. Scouts may also bring their own pamphlets from home or use their troop’s library.