About the Scout Rank for Scouts BSA
Scout Rank is the first rank earned by a young man or woman upon joining a Scouts BSA troop. The Scout rank requirements help a new Scout learn the basics of Scouting and get them off on a good start on the path to Eagle Scout.
Parent Involvement
If you are a parent and are new to Scouts BSA, you will find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the program so you can support your son or daughter. It is important to understand the role of the parent in this program. It is very different than the role of the parent in Cub Scouts.
- Beginning Boy Scouts – Although this book was written before Boy Scouts became Scouts BSA and has the older terminology, it is still a great resource if you are new to the program. The information still applies.
- Where Do Scouts BSA Learn Skills?
- Encouraging a New Scout
Scout Rank Requirements
Scout Rank Requirements Worksheet
Checkoff sheet for Scout Rank Requirements
Help with Answers for Scout Rank Requirements
Find specific helps for some of the Scout rank requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.
Scout Rank Requirement 1: Scouting Knowledge
Requirement 1 Helps and Answers
What Is Scout Spirit?
Learn what is meant by the term “Scout Spirit”.
The Outdoor Code
Learn the Outdoor Code and how to follow it on your outdoor adventures.
The Scout Law
Learn some of the history of the Scout Law and see a longer explanation of each point.
Trustworthy Tommy Song
This song will help you memorize the 12 points of the Scout Law
Scout Law Game
This game provides another way to learn the Scout Law.
Red Skelton’s Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance
This is a nice commentary on what the words in the pledge of allegiance really mean.
The First Class Scout Badge
- The three points at the top of the Fleur de Lis is like the north on an old compass. These stand for the three points of the Scout Oath. (Duty to God, Duty to Others, Duty to Self). Like a compass showing the way to a mariner at sea, these point the Scout in the right direction in life.
- The stars remind us of the outdoor aspects of the program. There are two stars, representing to ideals: truth and knowledge.
- The eagle represents the United States and stands for freedom, which we should be ready to defend.
- The scroll has the Scout motto: “Be prepared.”
- The ends of the scroll are turned up like a smile which a Scout should have when doing cheerful service.
- The knot at the bottom is a reminder of the Scout Slogan:”Do a Good Turn Daily”.
Scouts BSA Basics Crossword Puzzle
Introduce these concepts with a crossword puzzle.
Scout Law Word Search Puzzle
Another fun way to learn the Scout Law.
Prayers
These two prayers incorporate the Scout Law:
Scouts BSA Trivia Quiz
Test your knowledge with an online quiz.
Video Resources
The Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan
Scout Spirit
Scout sign, salute, and handshake
The Outdoor Code
Scout Rank Requirement 2: Advancement
Requirement 2 Helps and Answers
Troop Leadership
A Scouts BSA troop is led by the youth. Learn more about the various youth leadership positions.
The 4 Steps of Scout Advancement
- The Scout learns
- The Scout is tested
- The Scout is reviewed
- The Scout is recognized
Video Resources
Troop Leadership
The steps of advancement
Scout ranks
Merit badges
Scout Rank Requirement 3: The Patrol Method
Requirement 3 Helps and Answers
The Patrol Method
Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, believed strongly in the patrol method. That is why this is covered as part of the Scout rank requirements.
Learn about the the Patrol Method
A patrol is a small group of Scouts BSA within a troop. They elect a patrol leader and function almost like a family within the troop. They divide up the chores to be done and work together as a group to meet their goals. They develop a patrol spirit and take pride in their accomplishments as a team.
A patrol has a Patrol Leader and sometimes an Assistant Patrol Leader. These leaders provide direction to the patrol. All patrol members are expected to contribute though. For example, if the patrol is going camping a couple members might organized the gear, another might purchase the food, and so on. Usually assignments are made via a duty roster so that the jobs are fairly distributed.
A very small troop might only have a single patrol. A large troop will have many patrols. Working within a group of this size ensures that everyone gets to participate and learn leadership skills.
Video Resource
The patrol method
Scout Rank Requirement 4: Knots
Requirement 4 Helps and Answers
Knot Terminology
Before starting knot tying for the Scout rank requirements, it is helpful to know the terms commonly used.
The Six Scout Knots
Download an instruction sheet for six knots every Scout should learn.
How to Whip and Fuse the Ends of a Rope
See step by step instructions for preventing the ends of your rope from fraying.
Video Resources
How to tie the knots
Whipping and fusing the ends of a rope
Scout Rank Requirement 5: Pocketknives
Requirement 5 Helps and Answers
Pocketknife Care and Safety Rules
Learn about safety, sharpening, and choosing the right knife for the job.
Whittling Chip certification
When a Cub Scout earns his or her Whittling Chip, that means he or she is ready to handle a knife safely. Cub Scouts earn this certification as part of the Bear Claws adventure.
Pocketknife Safety Quiz
Test your knowledge of knife safety with this online quiz.
Whittling Chip Card Corners
A reader asks about cutting the corners from a Whittling Chip card when the owner commits a safety infraction. This is not actually a BSA policy.
Video Resources
How to sharpen a knife
Knife Safety Tips
Scout Rank Requirement 6: Personal Safety
Requirement 6 Helps and Answers
- Download the Parent’s Guide
- The Three R’s of Personal Safety and Protection
- The Buddy System
- Cyber Chip
Parent’s Guide
Download How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide (PDF format)
The Three R’s of Personal Safety and Protection
- Recognize situations that place you at risk of being situations that place you at risk of being molested, how child molesters operate, and that anyone could be a molester.
- Resist unwanted and inappropriate attention. Resistance will stop most attempts at molestation.
- Report attempted or actual molestation to a parent or attempted or actual molestation to a parent or other trusted adult. This prevents further abuse and helps to protect other children. Let the child know he or she will not be blamed for what occurred.
The Buddy System
Of all of the things they can do to keep themselves safe, none is more important than the buddy system. Read more.
Cyber Chip
The Cyber Chip portion can be completed online. The requirements depend on the age level:
Scout Rank Requirement 7: Scoutmaster Conference
Requirement 7 Helps and Answers
What Is a Scoutmaster Conference?
New Scouts might be a little intimidated by the Scoutmaster Conference, but they should not be. It helps to understand what it is and just think about it as a conversation. Read about it.
More Resources for Scout Rank Requirements
Bingo Cards for Scouts BSA (Boy Scout Bingo)
These bingo cards for Scouts BSA help familiarize Scouts with the Scout Law, Eagle required merit badges, some of the fun adventures they can look forward to, ranks, and more. Use them to help new Scouts familiarize themselves with the concepts for the Scout rank requirements.
Book Review: Beginning Boy Scouts
If you know somebody who is new to the Scouts BSA program, then this would be a great resource to give them an overview of the program. Note that this book only covers the Scouts BSA program, not Cub Scouts or Venturing. Also the name reflects that it was written before the Boy Scout program name changed, but the information all still applies.
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