BOARDS OF REVIEW
A periodic review of the progress of a Scout is vital in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Scouting program in the unit. The unit committee can judge how well the Scout being reviewed is benefiting from the program. The unit leader can measure the effectiveness of his or her leadership. The Scout can sense that he is, or is not, advancing properly and can be encouraged to make the most of his Scouting experience.
Not only is it important to review those Scouts who have learned and been tested for a rank, but also to review those Scouts who have shown no progress in their advancement over the past few months.
The members of the board of review should have the following objectives in mind when they conduct the review:
•To make sure the Scout has done what he was supposed to do for the rank.
•To see how good an experience the Scout is having in the unit.
•To encourage the Scout to progress further.
The review is not an examination: the board does not test the candidate. Rather, the board should attempt to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals. Scout spirit is defined as living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in a Scout's everyday life. The board should make sure that good standards of performance have been met in all phases of the Scout's life. A discussion of the Scout Oath and Scout Law is in keeping with the purposes of the review, to make sure that the candidate recognizes and understands the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school, and community.
Review for Tenderfoot through Life and Eagle Palms. After a Scout has completed all requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life ranks, or an Eagle Palm, he appears before a board of review. This board of review is made up of at least three and not more than six members of the troop committee. One member serves as chairman, usually the committee member responsible for advancement. Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's board of review.
Because many boys are ill at ease when talking to adults, it is important that the board be held in a relaxed atmosphere. A certain amount of formality and meaningful questioning should be used during the review and it typically would last between 15-20 minutes.
The Scout should be neat in his appearance and his uniform should be as correct as possible, with the badges worn properly. It should be the desire of the board to encourage the Scout to talk so that the review can be a learning experience for the candidate and the members of the board.
The review is not an examination. The Scout has learned his skill and has been examined. This is a review. The Scout should be asked where he learned his skill,who taught him, and the value he gained from passing this requirement.
The Scout reviews what he did for his rank. From this review, it can be determined whether he did what he was supposed to do. The review also reveals what kind of an experience the Scout is having in the troop. With that knowledge, the troop leaders can shape the program to meet the needs and interests of the Scouts.
The board of review members should feel free to refer to the Boy Scout Handbook, or any other references during the review.
REMINDERS FOR BOARDS OF REVIEW
1. The following pages contain sample questions that may be used by a Board of Review. The board will not necessarily use all of these questions, but following this format will assist them in determining if a Scout is prepared for advancement.
2. Before the interview begins the Board should take the time to review the Scout's handbook; this way they too can formulate their own questions. The Scout should be assured that what is said during the review is between the Scout and the Board and will not be repeated outside of that forum! Information gathered during the reviews should be used to help improve Troop management.
3. The Board can take this opportunity to give the Scout a "once over" on his uniform. This is a chance for the Scout to show pride in his uniform and in the patches he has earned. This is not meant to be a formal uniform inspection, but it should be used as another opportunity to make certain that the uniform is worn correctly. This inspection is NOT to be used as criteria for passing the Board of Review.
4. There is not a right or wrong answer to any of the questions. They are a tool. The Troop Committee's first responsibility is to make certain that the Scout UNDERSTANDS what he has achieved with his PENDING rank advancement and the additional responsibilities that the Scout will assume as he grows within the Troop. One of the greatest needs of boys is confidence (in advancing the Scout builds that confidence). You want the Scout to walk away from the Board knowing what he has achieved is something very worth while. Make it a pleasant experience for him and the Board.
5. The Board of Review is not just a question and answer period. The Board does not re-test the candidate. Rather, the Board should attempt to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals. A discussion of the Scout Oath and Law is in keeping with the purpose of the review, to make certain that the candidate recognizes and understands the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school, and community. The Board should remember that the Scout advancing to Tenderfoot or Second Class will not have the same kind of answers as a Scout trying to advance to the rank of Life or Eagle. During the review, each member of the board must form a judgement concerning the Scout's qualifications.
* Has the scout accomplished the tasks that are required? {This is not a review of the requirements but of the experiences the scout had in completing these tasks.}
* What sort of experience is he having in the Troop and within his Patrol?
* Is he ready for advancement and the responsibilities that come with it?
* Where does he plan to go from here? Encourage him to verbally set goals.
6. If the Scout is not actively participating in his review, or appears to have little or no interest in the questions being asked, the Board is obligated to inform the Scout that he will need to come back at a later date when he is truly prepared. If the Scout does not pass the Board of Review for any reason, the Board is required to specify to the Scout exactly why he did not pass. The Board must list explicit reasonably obtainable goals for the Scout to pass. A written copy of these goals should be given to the Scout and the Committee Chairman at the conclusion of the Board.
7. Advancement accommodates three (3) aims in Scouting:
* build character
* foster citizenship
* develop fitness (mental, emotional, physical & moral)
There are four (4) steps to advancement in Scouting:
* The Boy Scout learns by DOING.
* The Scout is tested. (Troop Policies and Procedures)
* The Scout is reviewed. (Board of Review)
* The Scout is recognized. (Court of Honor)
8. General practice is to make every reasonable consideration for the Scout, provided the requirements as stated in the Boy Scout Handbook are completed to the satisfaction of a Trained Scout Leader or Senior Scout (as defined in individual Troop Policies and Procedures).
What Every Scout Should Know
Scout Oath:
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law:
As Scout is ...
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
Reverent.
Scout Motto:
Be Prepared.
Scout Slogan:
Do a good turn daily.
Outdoor Code:
As an American, I will do my best to --
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation-minded.
SAMPLE TENDERFOOT REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. When did you join join the Troop?
2. What grade are you in? What school?
3. What hobbies do you have?
4. Why did you join Boy Scouts?
5. How do you live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life? If you find it a challenge how do you overcome it?
6. What is a good turn? What good turns have you done lately?
7. What troop outings have you attended? What do you think of them?
8. What does "On My Honor" mean to you?
9. What do you think people expect from you as a Boy Scout?
10. Have you been able to make it to most of the troop meetings so far?
11. What is the name of your patrol? Do you have a flag?
12. Do you feel that you and your patrol are getting along?
13. Is there anything you would like to see changed in the patrol or troop meetings?
14. What do you like best about Scouting?
15. How (or how not) has Scouting been what you thought it would be?
16. Have you taken part in any recent service projects? Which ones?
17. What are your long term plans in scouting?
18. What are your plans for Second Class?
** Do you have any questions or concerns of us, your board? **
Tenderfoot Scout
1. Present yourself to your leader, properly dressed, before going on an overnight camping trip. Show the camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.
2. Spend at least 1 night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch on a ground bed you have prepared.
3a. Demonstrate how to whip and fuse the ends of a rope.
3b. Demonstrate you know how to tie the following knots and what their uses are: two half hitches and the
tautline hitch.
4. Explain the rules of safe hiking, both on a highway and cross-country, during the day and at night. Explain what to do if you are lost.
5. Demonstrate how to display, raise, lower, and fold the American flag.
6. Repeat from memory and explain in your own word the Scout Oath, Law, and slogan.
7. Know your patrol name, give the patrol yell, and describe your patrol flag.
8. Explain why we use the buddy system in Scouting.
9a. Record your best in the following tests:
(a)Pushups
(b)Pull-ups
(c)Sit-ups
(d)Standing long jump
(e)Run/walk 500 yards.
9b. Show improvement in the activities listed above after practicing for 30 days.
10. Identify local poisonous plants; tell how to treat for exposure to them.
11a. Demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver and tell when it is used.
11b. Show first aid for the following:
(a)Simple cuts and scratches
(b)Blisters on the hand and foot
(c)Minor burns or scalds (first degree)
(d)Bites and stings of insects and ticks
(e)Poisonous snakebite
(f)Nosebleed
(g)Frostbite and Sunburn
12. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
SAMPLE SECOND CLASS REVIEW QUESTIONS
.
1. How old are you?
2. Do your friends at school know you're in Scouts?
3. Do you ever take the time and just talk with members of your family? If so, who?
4. Do you have a hero? If so, who and why?
5. In the Scout Oath, what does "I will do my best" mean to you?
6. Do you ever do more than one Good Turn Daily? What kinds?
7. What point of the Scout Law is the most important to you? Why?
8. Do you have a favorite youth or adult leader? If so, what makes that person a good leader?
9. The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared". What does it mean to you?
10. What do you think it means to be a Second Class Scout? What should people expect of you?
11. What did you do for you one (1) hour of service required for Second Class? What did you think of the project? What other service have you done?
12. What type of service projects would you like to work on?
13. Does your patrol have patrol meetings?{Do you find them helpful?} Is there something the troop can do to help your patrol have productive patrol meetings?
14. Is there any part of the patrol program that you would like changed? How would you make these changes? What is the benefit of these changes?
15. What requirement for this rank was the hardest? Easiest?
16. Have you started earning any merit badges? Which ones interest you, and why?
17. Do you have any difficulty setting goals for yourself?
18. Have you had a chance to cook outdoors? What did you like about it?
19. What outdoor skills do you like best?
20. What are your plans for First Class?
21. Is there anything the troop can do to help you?
22. What are your long term plans in scouting?
23. What part of scouting interests you the most?
24. Are you enjoying Scouting? Why or Why not?
25. What is the first Patrol Leadership position you plan to run for?
** Do you have any questions or concerns of us your board? **
Second Class Scout
1a. Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Explain what map symbols mean.
1b. Using a compass and a map you've drawn, take a 5-mile hike (or 10 miles by bike) approved by your adult leader and your parent or guardian. (If you are using a wheelchair or crutches, or if it is difficult for you to get around, you may substitute "trip" for "hike" in this requirement.)
2a. Since joining, have participated in five separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), two of which included camping overnight.
2b. On one campout, demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of knife, saw, and ax.
2c. Use the tools listed above to prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel for a cooking fire.
2d. Light the cooking fire. Assist with the meal preparation and cleanup.
2e. On one of these campouts, select your patrol site and sleep in a tent that you pitched.
3. Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institution, chartered organization, community, or troop activity.
4. Participate in an approved (minimum of 1 hour) service project.
5. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of wild animals (birds, mammals, reptiles, fish,mollusks) found in your community.
6a. Show what to do for "hurry" cases of stopped breathing, serious bleeding and internal poisoning.
6b. Prepare a personal first aid kit to take with you on a hike.
6c. Demonstrate first aid for the following:
(a)Object in the eye
(b)Bite of a suspected rabid animal
(c)Puncture wounds from a splinter, nail, & fish hook
(d)Serious burns (second degree)
(e)Heat exhaustion
(f)Shock
(g)Heatstroke, Dehydration, Hypothermia,
and Hyperventilation
7. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim. Demonstrate your ability to swim 50 yards using two different strokes. (This requirement may be waived by the troop committee for medical or safety reasons.)
8. Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family.
9. Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
10. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
SAMPLE FIRST CLASS REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What grade are you in?
2. What do you like about school? What is your favorite subject?
3. What do you tell your friends about the things you learn and do in Scouts?
4. To you, what does it mean to "Do my duty to God"?
5. What point of the Scout Law is the hardest for you to live up to?
6. What more does "Be Prepared" mean to a First Class Scout, than to a Second Class Scout?
7. What does "On my Honor" mean to you?
8. How does your Patrol function as a team? What part do you take in helping your Patrol?
9. What was the last project your patrol worked on as a unit?
10. How do you apply teamwork in your home? With friends?
11. Have you had a chance to teach the younger Scouts any of your recently earned scout skills? What did you teach?
12. What do you think Shared Leadership is?
13. What merit badges do you have?
14. Which merit badge was the most valuable to you? Why?
15. For this rank you met with a civil employee and discussed your constitutional rights and obligations. Who did you meet with, and what (if anything) did you get from your talk?
16. What was the most challenging requirement (rank or merit badge)?
17. Do you think that your first aid knowledge will actually help you? How? Have you had an opportunity to use any of it?
18. What are your plans for your progress toward Star? Do you have a goal date when you would like to make Star by?
19. If you had the opportunity to add or delete one (1) requirement for this rank, what would it be and why?
20. What effect has Scouting had on your life?
21. Do you have a long term goal for your Scouting career?
1
** Do you have any questions or concerns of us your board? **
First Class Scout
1. Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass.
2. Using a compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least 1 mile and requires measuring
the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.)
3. Since joining, have participated in ten separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), three of which included camping overnight.
4. On one campout, serve as your patrol's cook. Prepare a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu that requires cooking; secure ingredients; supervise your assistants in fire building; and prepare the meals. Lead your patrol in saying grace at the meals, and supervise cleanup.
5. Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal, teacher) your constitutional rights and obligations as an U.S. citizen.
6. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your community.
7a. Demonstrate tying the timber hitch and the clove hitch and their use in square, shear, and diagonal lashings by joining two or more poles or staves together.
7b. Use lashing to make a useful camp gadget.
8a. Demonstrate tying the bowline (rescue) knot and how it's used in rescues.
8b. Demonstrate bandages for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and collarbone, and for a sprained ankle.
8c. Show how to transport by yourself, and with one other person, a person:
(a)from a smoke-filled room
(b)a broken leg, for at least 25 yards.
8d. Tell the five most common signs of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
9. Demonstrate your ability to swim 100 yards using one resting stroke and two other strokes, and to float (rest) as motionless as possible for 1 minute. (This requirement may be waived by the troop committee for medical or safety reasons.)
10. Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
11. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
SAMPLE STAR SCOUT REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What do you do with your spare time?
2. What other activities do you participate in? (ie. sports, music, social/religious groups, etc.)
3. How many younger siblings do you have? What sort of impression do you think you give them and others about Scouting?
4. Do you keep a small sewing kit in your backpack? Have you ever had a need to use it while on an outing (ie. tent zipper, clothes rip, massive wound, etc)?
5. Who makes sure your uniform is clean and the patches are all sewn on for you to wear?
6. How do you help out at home? Do you do it to "chip in" or earn money?
7. What should the statement, "A Scout is Trustworthy" mean to a Star Scout?
8. What do you think the role of a Star Scout is in relationship to younger scouts?
9. How does the Scout Oath affect the life of a Star Scout differently than it would the life of a Tenderfoot Scout?
10. What do others have a right to expect of a Star Scout?
11. What point of the Scout Law is the most important to you? Why?
12. How do you feel that you live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life?
13. What is the Scout Slogan? {answer: "Do a Good Turn Daily"} What type of "Good Turns" do you do?
14. What part do you take in the Troop Meetings? Are you a leader or a follower?
15. Do you hold a leadership position in the troop now? If so, which one and what are your responsibilities? If no, which position(s) have you held? Tell me a short story about your time as a leader.
16. What service project did you work on to earn your required hours for this rank? What was your job on the project?
17. How do you feel your patrol functions as a team?
18. Have you ever tried to instill a change (long or short term) in your patrol? What was it? How? Did you get the results you wanted?
19. How would you describe the change in your thinking, actions, and performance since earning First Class? Were they through conscious effort?
20. Which six (6) merit badges did you earn for this rank? Which was the most important to you? Why?
21. What was the most interesting and/or unique requirement you have had in a merit badge?
22. While working toward your Star did you learn anything that you would like to pass on to the younger Scouts? What?
23. What have you learned that might help you as an adult?
24. What is your goal for reaching Life Scout?
25. What is your long term goal for Scouting?
26. What do you feel the troop can do most to help the younger Scouts so they will make it to Star and beyond?
27. If you could make one (1) change in the merit badge program (ie structure, format, add a badge). What would you do?
28. What type of career interests you? Have you looked into earning a related merit badge?
** Do you have any questions or concerns of us your board? **
Star Scout
1. Be active in your troop or patrol for at least 4 months as a First Class Scout.
2. Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
3. Earn six merit badges, including four from the required list for Eagle. (The required list for Eagle has 15 merit badges in 12 categories. Any of the 15 may be used for this requirement.) (NOTE: This means that, for example, a scout can use Lifesaving AND Emergency Preparedness and/or Sports, Swimming AND Personal Fitness toward the requirement of 4 from the required list for Eagle when working toward Star Scout.)
4. While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. Your Scoutmaster must approve these projects.
5. While a First Class Scout, serve actively 4 months in one or more of the following troop positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop): patrol leader, senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader,den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, chaplain aide, instructor, junior assistant scoutmaster, troop guide, Venture crew chief, or Varsity team captain.
6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference
SAMPLE LIFE SCOUT REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How are you doing in school? What do you like the most about it?
2. Do you feel it took you a long time to get here?
3. How does Scouting influence your interactions with people?
4. Have you ever felt you had to defend yourself because someone knew you are in Scouts?
5. Outside of Scouting, tell me about a time when you have had to be a leader. How did it make you feel afterward?
6. Other than your parents, who do you think has influence your life the most? Why? Who's life do you think you have the most influence over? Why?
7. Name one thing you hate doing, but you do it anyway because you know it will please someone. How do you feel afterward?
8. What does "A Scout is Brave" mean to a Life Scout?
9. In this fast paced time of great stress, what should "Be Prepared" mean to a Life Scout?
10. How can you personally help keep up the Scout Spirit in the Troop?
11. What does "Duty to God" mean to a Life Scout? How do you fulfill your duty?
12. What should others be able to expect from you as a Life Scout?
13. What does "On My Honor" mean to you?
14. What is the most difficult part of the Scout Oath and Law for you to live up to in your daily life? How do you over come it?
15. How many outings have you been on in the last year? Which did you like the most and why?
16. What have you done since becoming a Star Scout, in caring out additional responsibilities in the Troop? Patrol?
17. Which service projects did you work on for the rank of Life? What did you do?
18. What do you like most about the Patrol Method? Least?
19. What role do you play in your Patrol?
20. What is "Shared Leadership"? How do you see it in your Patrol and in the Troop?
21. What do you think is the most important skill for a leader? Why?
22. What additional merit badges did you earn for Life?
23. What was the most difficult merit badge for you to earn? How often did you meet with your counselor on that one?
24. Which merit badge did you enjoy the most? Why?
25. What was the most important thing you learned while working toward Life Scout?
26. Who helps you or coaches you in preparing for merit badges?
27. Which merit badges are you working on now?
28. Have you found any merit badges that you think are too hard for scouts to earn? Which ones? What makes them so difficult?
29. What leadership position did you hold for this rank? What was your biggest challenge? How did you handle it? What, if any, leadership position would you be most interested in holding?
30. Have you thought about what you will need to do for Eagle?
31. What do you think you can do to help younger Scouts?
32. Which scouting skill do you like the most? Why? Least? Why?
33. What do you think about the Order of the Arrow program?
34. Is the Troop's Outdoor Program adequate to develop skills and maintain the interest of the Scouts? What changes would you make?
** Do you have any questions or concerns for us your board? **
Life Scout
1. Be active in your troop or patrol for at least 6 months as a Star Scout.
2. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
3. Earn five more merit badges (so that you have 11 in all), including any three more from the required list for Eagle. (The required list for Eagle has 15 merit badges in 12 categories. Any of the 15 may be used for this requirement.)
(NOTE: This means that, for example, a scout can use both Lifesaving AND Emergency Preparedness and/or
Sports, Swimming AND Personal Fitness toward the requirement of 3 more (7 total) from the required list for Eagle when working toward Life Scout.)
4. While a Star Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.
5. While a Star Scout, serve actively 6 months in one or more of the following troop positions of responsibility (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop): patrol leader, senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, chaplain aide, instructor, junior assistant scoutmaster, troop guide, Venture crew chief, or Varsity team captain.
6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference