Download the Advancement Guidelines for Non Council Summer Camp 
Download the Advancement Guidelines for Non Council Summer Camp 

The purpose of these procedures is to assist in providing a consistent advancement program at all Non-Detroit Area Council Summer Camps that will assure that all Scouts meet the requirements as put forth by the Boy Scouts of America and the recognition be accurately recorded.

• Secure a copy of the Camps advancement program in sufficient time to enable you to share the information with your Scouts.
• Review the merit badge and advancement programs being offered at Summer Camp with your Scouts, enabling them to effectively schedule their advancement program.
• Review each Scouts planned program, to insure that he is not reaching beyond his capabilities, helping to minimizing the chance of a disappointing experience.
• Review the required prerequisites for each of the merit badges being offered, with your Scouts.
• Completion of the required pre-requisites, prior to camp, should be stressed to each Scout to insure acceptance into the merit badge class.
• Provide a signed Merit Badge Application form, for each badge the Scout will be working on.
• Once the Scout has completed the Merit Badge Application, review the form for completeness.
• Insure that each Scout has a current Merit Badge Pamphlet.

(See: Boy Scout Requirements book for the current revision date for each pamphlet. This is available from the Troop Library or at the Detroit Area Council Scout Shop.)

• Monitor daily, each Scouts advancement progress and provide support as needed.
• Communicate with the Camp Program Director, as soon as possible, should a problem arise between a Scout and any advancement program staff personal.
• Share both positive and negative comments about the advancement program and staff with the Camp Administration, prior to the end of your Summer Camp experience.
• Collect all advancement reports and completed merit badge application forms for the unit's Advancement Chair to process and submit them to the Detroit Area Council Service Center as soon as possible.
• Advise your Scouts that any merit badge that was partially completed must be fully completed prior to their 18^th birthday.
• Advise the Camp Program Director or Merit Badge Counselor of the areas of assistance that can be provided by your unit's adult leaders. The adult leader's should expect to contribute to the overall success of each camp program area. Adult leader's should also be available to assist the Scouts from their unit while at their campsite.

• Each Scout must have a Merit Badge application form, for each badge they will be working on, signed and properly filled out prior to Summer Camp
• To insure acceptance into the merit badge session, all pre-requisites must be completed in an acceptable manner, according to the guidelines published in the camp handbook.
• Each Scout must obtain and read the merit badge pamphlet(s) for the merit badges they will be working on at Summer Camp.
• Scouts are required to attend all scheduled merit badges sessions.
• Each Scout should review his progress with their unit leaders or merit badge counselor, on a daily basis, asking for help and guidance as necessary.

NOTE: The Scoutmaster / Adult Leader Responsible for Summer Camp should monitor the following, at the Non-Council Camp they are attending and review any questionable practices they encounter with the Camp Program Director as soon as possible.

• Counselors are responsible for the four processes of Advancement: Learning, Testing, Reviewing and Recognition.
• Be qualified, knowledgeable and skilled in the Merit Badges they will be counseling.
• The counselor will train all instructors in the proper methods of instructing Scouts.
• Each counselor and instructor must maintain the exact standards as outlined in the Merit Badge requirements: NOTHING DELETED AND NOTHING ADDED.
• Make him/her self or any member of their staff available to Scouts who may request extra help.
• Each Merit Badge Counselor will work with the program director to insure that all required equipment and resources relating to advancement is available for use.
• Maintain daily attendance records for each Merit Badge Class.
• Merit Badge Counselors are responsible for communicating with unit leaders as soon as they become aware that a Scout has not been attending class and or the Scout may be in a class that is to advance for his skill level.
• All advancement records are to be posted daily in a highly visible location for unit leaders to review. Scouts may also review the advancement records to determine their remaining requirements.
• Each counselor will review with his or her instructors, each Scouts progress. Signing of the Merit Badge Application for a partial of full completion is the responsibility of the Merit Badge Counselor, not the instructor.

adopted 1/16/01