In Scouts BSA, each scout advances at their own pace. Attending meetings and campout is a great way to learn new skills, visit with friends, and…advance. Each scout should own a physical Scoutbook where they can track their skills and campouts. To formally register your skills, you must meet with a scout two ranks higher to talk about what you did to learn the skill. Once you are signed off, give your book the the Advancement Chair for entry into our online tracking system.
Scout Oath & Law
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
A Scout is …
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and Reverent.
We recite the Scout Oath and Law at every meeting and Board of Review — but do we really think about what we’re saying? Understanding the Oath and Law is required for earning the Scout rank, and more importantly, it’s the foundation of what it means to be a Scout. When we say “do my duty to God and my country,” it doesn’t mean becoming a priest or joining the military. It means showing respect for faith, participating in religious life, and supporting our country — even by encouraging your parents to vote. “To help other people at all times” is simple: if someone needs help, offer it. “To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight” means taking care of your body, staying aware of the world around you, and living by strong values — even when no one’s watching. The Scout Law reminds us what a Scout is — trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
These aren’t just words — they’re a guide to how we live, serve, and lead every day.
Merit Badges
Merit badges give Scouts the opportunity to explore new subjects, develop practical skills, and discover new interests. Each merit badge focuses on a specific subject, and Scouts can choose from more than 100 different merit badges.
Earning merit badges is an important part of advancing toward the rank of Eagle Scout. To earn Eagle, a Scout must complete a required set of merit badges covering fundamental Scouting skills and values, including areas such as camping, first aid, citizenship, and personal fitness. These are known as Eagle-required merit badges.
In addition to the required badges, Scouts can choose additional merit badges based on their own interests and goals.
Adults can also play an important role by becoming Merit Badge Counselors. Counselors share their knowledge and experience, help Scouts learn about a subject, and guide them as they complete the requirements for a merit badge. It’s a great way for parents and other adults to get involved in the troop while helping Scouts discover something new.
Troop 10 has written a detailed document describing the Merit Badge Progress, which can be found here: Policy for Merit Badge Progress
Scouting.org also has a series of pages with information on every merit badge and its requirements.
Leadership
Scouting gives both youth and adults many opportunities to develop leadership skills and take an active role in the troop. Scouts can serve in positions such as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe, Librarian, Historian, and Troop Guide, among others. Each position comes with its own responsibilities and gives Scouts the opportunity to contribute to the troop in different ways.
For scouts, the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the senior youth leader of the troop and helps plan and lead meetings, campouts, and other activities. Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders support the SPL and may take responsibility for specific areas of the troop. Patrol Leaders lead their patrols, help organize activities, communicate with patrol members, and make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate. Other positions, such as Quartermaster, Scribe, Librarian, and Historian, involve managing troop equipment, keeping records, maintaining resources, and documenting the troop’s activities. Scouts in leadership positions are expected to be dependable, participate actively, work with others, and set a positive example for younger Scouts. More information about scout leadership can be found here.
Adults have leadership opportunities as well. Parents and other adult volunteers can serve as Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Committee members, Merit Badge Counselors, and activity leaders, among other roles. Adult leaders help provide guidance and support while allowing Scouts to take responsibility for leading the troop themselves. Whether you’re a Scout leading your patrol on a campout or an adult helping organize the next troop activity, everyone has a role to play in making Troop 10 successful. More information on adult leadership can be found here.