Advancement

Track scout rank advancement and merit badge progress.

How Advancement Works

The system tracks three types of advancement:

  • Ranks - Scout through Eagle (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle)
  • Merit Badges - 141 badges available, 16 required for Eagle
  • Requirements - Individual tasks within ranks and merit badges

Tracking Scout Ranks

Where to View Rank Progress

There are several ways to view rank progress:

Troop Admin Panel:

  1. Rank Advancements - View all scouts' rank progress; click any record then Requirements for details
  2. Members → [Scout] → Advancement - Individual scout's complete advancement view
  3. Members → [Scout] → Edit - Advancement overview widget on edit page

Scout/Parent Dashboard:

  1. Dashboard → Overview Tab - Current rank and progress statistics
  2. Dashboard → Rank Progress Tab - Complete path to Eagle with all ranks
  3. Child Selector - Parents can switch between children to view each scout's progress

Completing Requirements

There are several ways to mark requirements complete:

Method 1: Individual Entry

  1. Go to Admin Dashboard → Requirements
  2. Filter by scout or rank
  3. Click a requirement
  4. Set status to "Completed"
  5. Add completion date
  6. Optionally attach evidence (photos, documents)

Method 2: Bulk Entry

  1. Go to Admin Dashboard → Bulk Requirements
  2. Select an event or date
  3. Choose multiple scouts
  4. Select requirements to complete for all selected scouts
  5. Save to apply to everyone at once

Method 3: Event-Based Automatic Completion (Recommended)

  1. When creating an event, expand the Achievements section
  2. Toggle "This event completes requirements"
  3. Search and select the requirements completed during this event
  4. After the event, record attendance
  5. System automatically marks requirements complete for all attendees

Best Method: Event-based completion is the most efficient way to record requirements for multiple scouts. Just record attendance and the system handles the rest!

Choosing the Right Method

  • Individual Entry - Use for one scout completing one requirement (scout leadership, interviews)
  • Bulk Entry - Use when you forgot to set up event achievements, or for retroactive entries
  • Event-Based - Use for campouts, hikes, service projects, skill instruction - any event where multiple scouts complete the same requirements

Merit Badge Tracking

Navigate to Admin Dashboard → Scout Merit Badges to manage badge progress.

Starting a Merit Badge

  1. Click Create
  2. Select the scout
  3. Choose the merit badge
  4. Assign a counselor
  5. Save

Merit Badge Counselor Approval

Merit badges require counselor approval. The process:

  1. Scout or leader records requirement completion
  2. Requirement status: "Pending Review"
  3. Counselor reviews evidence and provides feedback
  4. Counselor marks "Completed" or requests revisions
  5. When all requirements complete, counselor approves the badge

Counselors have their own dashboard at Counselor Panel accessible from the user menu.

Requirement Statuses

Requirements progress through these statuses:

Status Meaning
In Progress Scout is actively working on it
Pending Review Waiting for counselor/leader approval
Needs Revision Counselor requested changes
Completed Requirement fully satisfied

Viewing Progress

Monitor advancement from multiple angles:

  • Member Profile - View one scout's complete advancement
  • Scout Ranks - See all scouts' rank progress
  • Scout Merit Badges - See all badge work in progress
  • Requirements - Filter and view individual requirements

Generating Advancement Reports

Create official reports to submit to your council:

  1. Go to Admin Dashboard → Advancement Reports
  2. Click Create
  3. Select completed ranks and merit badges
  4. Generate PDF report
  5. Download and submit to your council registrar

Reports include all required information for BSA advancement processing.

Important: Mark reports as "Mailed" after submission to mark each submitted scout rank and merit badge as reported to the organization.

Best Practices

  • Use event-based completion - Configure requirements when creating events for maximum efficiency
  • Record promptly - Enter requirements while details are fresh, ideally within 24-48 hours
  • Plan ahead - When planning campouts or activities, identify which requirements will be completed
  • Review regularly - Check pending requirements weekly to keep scouts progressing
  • Generate reports prior to Court of Honor - Submit advancement reports to council before presenting the badge to the scout
  • Maintain counselor assignments - Keep merit badge counselor assignments accurate and current
  • Link to events - Whenever possible, tie requirements to specific events for better record-keeping

Learn More: See the Events & Activities section for detailed instructions on configuring event achievements.