Camp Advancement Policies

Simon Kenton Council camps use a "learning by doing" style of teaching.  Rules for advancement do not change just because a boy is at camp, but camp does provide an ideal setting for the opportunities we offer.  As always, your Scouts must plan beforehand what they wish to accomplish.  They should know that camp is not a "merit badge factory." They must earn all awards just like back home - learn the material, complete the requirements, receive counseling, earn the badge.  Scouts will not receive credit for requirements just for attending a class -they must do the requirements.  Please, help your Scouts to "be prepared" for advancement in camp just as they would "be prepared" back home.

      All advancement done at summer camp will be in accordance with National BSA advancement policies.

      No changes or substitutions in any advancement requirements will be allowed.

      Only merit badges that have been approved by the Council Advancement Committee will be offered at camp as a regular part of the summer camping program.

      Large classes are highly discouraged.  Instruction will be, as far as possible, in small groups of Scouts with the instructor meeting at a mutually agreeable time.  The counselor works with individuals to complete requirements.

      Partial completion certification of merit badges may be given at the discretion of the merit badge counselor if a significant part of the merit badge requirements have been met.  The merit badge must be completed with a certified and registered merit badge counselor (who may review all requirements).  Partial completions do not expire.

      Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review will be conducted in accordance with National standards as set forth in the Boy Scout Handbook and the Scoutmaster Handbook.

      Units are encouraged to hold their own Troop Court of Honor, either following or preceding the Friday Night Campfire to recognize the achievements of their Scouts during the week, and re-recognize the Scouts at the next regular Troop Court of Honor at home.

      Unit Leaders are responsible for keeping track of their Scout's advancement in first-year camper programs.  The camp does not keep individual Scout advancement records.

      Unit Leaders will have the opportunity to meet with area directors to review the progress of Scouts in various programs at camp.

To have a successful experience in the Merit Badge Program, Scouts should carefully PLAN for what they want to take.  Some merit badges cannot be completed at camp.  Many require advanced preparations months before camp.  We suggest that Scouts complete these requirements before camp.  It is very discouraging to a Scout to find out at the end of camp that he will not complete a merit badge. Scouts should read through the pamphlets for the merit badges they wish to earn; this is very helpful with advanced topics.

Advancement Records

Merit Badges

Simon Kenton Council camps use a special Summer Camp Merit Badge Record due to the volume of merit badges being worked towards by Scouts. We have found the “blue card” to be tedious and impractical in our summer camp setting. If your home council requires “blue cards,” unit leadership will need to transfer the information from our Summer Camp Merit Badge Record, or “white card,” to the “blue card.”

Prior to arrival at camp, complete a Merit Badge Record (Blue card)for each merit badge a Scout wishes to pursue.  Make sure that all information on the left side of the form is complete and correct, including Scout’s Name, Unit Number, Merit Badge, and any requirements already completed.  The unit leader should sign the form, indicating approval for the Scout to work on the merit badge. 

The Scout gives the unit-approved Summer Camp Merit Badge Record to the merit badge instructor at their first session.  The merit badge instructor retains the record while the Scout works towards the merit badge, making note of the requirements completed.  Additionally, the merit badge instructor keeps track of attendance and completed requirements on a master roster. The instructor also posts a public roster at the dining hall, so unit leadership can track progress during the week.

On Friday afternoon, the merit badge instructor completes all merit badge records and master rosters.  The merit badge records are sorted to the unit’s advancement packet for distribution at the Friday Night Campfire. The master roster is submitted to the camp office and kept on file at the Council Service Center for one year.

Rank Requirements

Our camp staff provides instruction in the particular skills, but we will not sign for requirements in a Scout’s handbook.  The unit determines the point at which a Scout “completes” a requirement, and unit leader signs the Scout’s book.  The first-year camper program does provide a signed requirements sheet to the unit, recommending requirements completed in the program.  This is distributed in the unit’s advancement packet at the Friday Night Campfire.

A public roster is posted in the dining hall, so unit leadership can track progress during the week. A master record is maintained at the Council Service Center for one year.

Other Awards

Records for awards such as BSA Lifeguard, Mile Swim, Snorkeling BSA, Toten’ Chip, etc., will be generated by the Camp Staff.  Completed records will be part of the unit’s advancement packet, presented at the Friday Night Campfire, or presented at the time of completion (like Toten’ Chip).