This page is intended to contain timely information concerning BSA advancement & recognition for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing and Sea Scouts youth and adults in the Potomac District. The Side panels are intended to contain long term information and will be updated as new information or procedures change.

The tabs on the left side of the web page under the > on the advancement tab will take you directly to either the page containing that information or it will be a direct link to an official or unofficial boy scout web page. This will hopefully cut down on the number of "clicks" if you know what you want and how to get to it.

If you would like to see something on this page that you find useful to everyone but don't see it, let me know and as I put the pages together, I will "Do My Best" to see if I can accommodate your request.

If you have any questions concerning advancement in the Potomac District, please contact the Potomac District Advancement and Recognition committee, Merit Badge Dean, or the District Eagle Chairman. 

If you're not sure who to contact, send your request to Rick Kessel (gfdadv@yahoo.com) Chairman Potomac District Advancement Committee and I'll work on getting you an answer. The other new District advancement chairmen are: Rob Heider (senecaadv@yahoo.com) for Seneca District and John Wnek (jwnek1007@aol.com) for White Oak District.

Yours in Scouting,
Rick Kessel, Chairman
Advancement & Recognition Committee (ARC)
Potomac District, NCAC
gfdadv@yahoo.com   

Webmaster

Guide to Advancement (GTA)
2011

This is the official advancement document for all Scouting programs (CS, BS, V, SS). This document replaces the Policy and Procedures Manual. 

There is a transition period for the 2012 Eagle Scout Rank Application and the 2011 Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook; these documents are mandatory on and after 1/1/2012. Click HERE to download the GTA document in PDF format.

Note: Large file - size is 4.2 MB

         Confused over all those Scouting words and definitions? 

Check out The Language of Scouting  here. 

Click here for the  NCAC Procedures for Local Council Certification of the Eagle Scout Rank Application (ESRA)  

What does it mean to be Active in your unit?

As it relates to Advancement, the new Guide to Advancement (Section 4.2.3.1 Active Participation) provides an expanded definition and explanation. Scoutmasters and other Unit Leaders must follow this criteria. There is no other definition or criteria that can be used for determining what "Active" means. If there are any questions, please contact your District Advancement Committee Chairman.   (RDK020312-1442)

How to  become a MBC in the Potomac District. Click HERE for details and file download.

District Eagle Coordinator information has been added to and under the "Eagle information & form" side panel page.   

2012 Eagle Scout Rank Application and
 
2011 Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (fill in PDF)
or
2011 Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (expandable fill in PDF)

These documents are the only ones authorized for use. Previous printings should be discarded.
If you have specific questions, please contact your District advancement Committee Chairman

Revised: 1/25/13 @ 6:21pm

Procedures for Obtaining
Rank Advancement  / Recognition Badges

After April 1, 2012 to obtain Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturer advancement/recognition badges from the Scout shop you are required to have the Unit Advancement Form printed from Internet Advancement  to purchase these badges. Arrow points and merit badges are not covered by this policy and may be purchased without documentation. Click HERE for the official NCAC policy.

Updated: 3/18/2012 @ 11:02AM 

On line Internet Advancement has been here since 2006!    It must be used to record the advancement in your unit. Also, don't forget to submit your printed internet Unit Advancement Report (UAR) to the scout shop for obtaining your Cub Scout and Boy Scout rank badges. This is the only UAR that the Scout shop is accepting after April 1. 2012. It is now more important than ever. Also, Check out the link (left side) under the advancement tab or click for the NCAC AI Educational PPT in PDF format. 

District Advancement & Recognition (ARC) Committee:

Rick Kessel
Chairman, Advancement & Recognition (ARC) Committee
Potomac District, NCAC, BSA
gfdadv@yahoo.com

Dick Holcomb
Vice Chairman, Advancement & Recognition (ARC) Committee
Potomac District, NCAC, BSA
rsholcomb@verizon.net

Byron Lord
Eagle Chairman, Advancement & Recognition (ARC) Committee
Potomac District, NCAC, BSA
(301) 340-1275 ~ email not available

Ted Rabkin
Merit Badge Dean
Potomac District, NCAC, BSA
tedrabkin@verizon.net