Advancement and Recognition Committee (ARC)
National Capital Area Council

Page and links (left) last updated: 5/16/2013 @ 10:59 PM RDK
Scroll down for more advancement information

     There is a new format version of the current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook   that is an "expandable" PDF. All the same requirements but this fillable PDF contains New functionalities for this electronic workbook that include expandable text boxes and the ability to insert images in JPEG, GIF, TIF, and PNG formats and much much more.

Click Here for the 3.2MB file. Recommend right click to save before opening.
Note: This is the same workbook currently required only with added features

NCAC Merit Badge Councelor page containing NCAC MBC forms, application process and information is located under the links to the left: Council Committees -> Advancement and Recognition (ARC) tab -> see the MBC tab in the list or click HERE.                                  <Posted 6/17/12 @ 1645>

BSA Guide to Advancement (GTA) - 2011
(National Council)

The BSA National Advancement Team has published the Guide to Advancement, 2011. The NCAC Advancement and Recognition Committee affirms this document is mandatory. This means the procedures, documents, criteria and guidance within the document must be followed  Click HERE or on the image to view or right click to download the document. Note: this is a 4.2MB file.

This document contains clarifying information and explanations concerning the advancement program. Please read it carefully since there are several significant changes.

Click here for additional information from the NCAC

The 2010 NCAC Eagle Scout Procedures Guide is currently under revision and will be published when completed.

If you have any questions, please contact your District Advancement Committee Chairman. 

Yours in Scouting,
Alan.

Alan Deter, Chairman
Advancement and Recognition Committee, NCAC, BSA
alandeter@verizon.net

2/3/2012 @ 12:40am rdk

Advancement News is prepared by the National Advancement Team.
Click HERE to view the individual issues.  

May 2013 issue is now posted

Click Here for the May Survey

5/9/2013 @ 10:55pm RDK

  Click HERE for the New NCAC's sequence for the BSA Local Council Certification of the Eagle Scout Rank Application (ESRA). These are New procedures. Read them carefully

Originally posted: 5-13-09
Revised: 01-5-2013

2012 Eagle Scout Rank Application
&
2011 Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook
(This is the expandable type in and save PDF version)

 The 2012 Eagle Scout Rank Application form (512-728) is the version of this form that should be used in the NCAC.

For more detailed information concerning these forms and other guidance information click HERE for the NCAC Advancement Committee's Eagle Scout information page.

If you have specific questions, please contact your District Advancement & Recognition Chairman or send them directly to me at alandeter@verizon.net.

Yours in Scouting,
Alan.

Alan Deter, Chairman
Advancement and Recognition Committee, NCAC, BSA
alandeter@verizon.net 

Meetings: 
The Committee normally meets five times a year on the first Wednesday of the month. The 2013-2014 scout year's meetings are: September 4, 2013; November 6, 2013; January 8, 2014; March 5, 2014 and May 7, 2014. We also participate in the NCAC Key Scouter Workshop in February. We do not meet in July or August.

If you have questions concerning the activities of the advancement committee, please contact the Advancement & Recognition Committee Chairman Alan Deter at alandeter@verizon.net 

Who are we?

The Advancement and Recognition Committee (ARC) at the Council and District levels exist to serve the advancement and recognition needs of our Scouts. Additionally, they provide guidance for the Scouters who administer the program. The members of the NCAC ARC Committee are the Chairmen of the Council's District ARC Committees. The members of each District ARC committee are the Unit's committee advancement representatives within that District. The ARC committees work to ensure adherence to the requirements established by National and Council level authorities. However, it is also very important that additional standards or requirements for rank advancement are not imposed on the Scout by Unit Leaders and Advisors, Unit Committee Members, Merit Badge Councilors and others given the privilege of being involved with the advancement or recognition programs scouting has to offer.

What is Advancement?

     "Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others." 
     The above was taken directly from www.scouting.org and although the reference is to "Boy Scouting", this approach is used throughout the Scouting program e.g., Boy Scouting, Cub Scouting, Venturing, and Sea Scouting.
     If you'd like more information about the Committee, advancement or recognition in Scouting, please contact me. I would like to request that you include your unit and District information so that I may able to more easily assist you. I can be reached at alandeter@verizon.net.

Yours in Scouting,
Alan

Alan Deter, Chairman
Advancement and Recognition Committee
National Capital Area Council, BSA
alandeter@verizon.net 
 
Advisor: Don Durbin, Director, Programs (don.durbin@scouting.org) 

Eagle Scout Mike Rowe of the TV/Cable program "Dirty Jobs" gives his perspective on what it takes to be an Eagle Scout. Click here to read the article.   (posted by Rick Kessel, chairman emeritus at ncacadv@yahoo.com).

 Procedure for Obtaining Rank Advancement & Recognition Badges

On April 1, 2012, a properly completed advancement report from online internet advancement  is required (at the time of purchase) in order to purchase Cub Scout and Boy Scout rank advancement badges. “Bulk purchasing” of rank advancement badges is no longer acceptable. However, additional rank advancements may only be purchased in small quantities for multiple uniforms, lost badges or award plaques with verification of rank advancement. Please click HERE for more information. 

Click on the link for the official documents from the NCAC Advancement & Recognition Committee concerning the NCAC Policy on Internet Advancement (long version) or the short version dated 3-1-2012 for purchasing rank advancement badges.

The Historic Merit Badge Program ended 12/31/2010. Click HERE for information. 

Eagle Scout Procedures Guide, June 2010:             Under Revision to incorporate 2011 GTA                              

      This Eagle Scout Procedures Guide is for Life Scouts who are working towards the Eagle rank in the National Capital Area Council (NCAC), and their adult leaders. Click the image for the Guide.
      The Guide's purpose is to address commonly asked questions and issues encountered by members of the NCAC. It is not intended to answer all questions but provides guidance from the NCAC Advancement and Recognition Committee (ARC). If a unit leader or an Eagle candidate is unsure of a particular step or requirement, do not hesitate to call your District ARC Chairman.
      It is strongly recommended that all Scouters who are involved in the Life-to-Eagle process become well versed with the information contained herein, and that every Eagle Scout candidate be encouraged to read this publication prior to beginning the journey from Life to Eagle.
      You are not alone in this process. The District ARCs exist to advise and serve the Scouts and Scouters of their respective NCAC Districts. The NCAC, the Districts, their Units, and individuals do not have the authority to impose additional standards or requirements for any merit badge or rank. Rather, they ensure adherence to the requirements established by National level authorities. With the encouragement of the NCAC ARC, the District ARCs are particularly attentive to advancement from Life to Eagle rank.
      The NCAC ARC has worked hard to revise this document and keep it useful for all Scouts and Scouters. We look forward to working with you in the future as advancement policies and procedures continue to evolve in this 100^th year of Scouting. Please don’t hesitate to contact your District ARC Chairperson with questions and/or comments.

      The NCAC Eagle Scout Procedures Guide, June 2010 is a secured Adobe (PDF) file that is set up to be printed out as a single or 2-sided document.  

Merit Badges:                                                                

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A MERIT BADGE? Click the above badges!

By clicking this link you'll be taken to the National BSA web site where you'll be able to view all of the merit badges offered in the Boy Scout program. When you get there, you'll first see a picture listing of all the merit badges on one page. If you click on a specific badge you'll then be directed to another page with the actual requirements, resources for obtaining the badge, a larger picture of the badge (suitable for right-click downloading) and the cover of the current merit badge pamphlet. When you scroll up to the top of the page above the merit badge pictures you'll find an introduction to the merit badge program. Check it out.

 Boy Scout Advancement and Awards - 2013                    

THE ONLINE LOCATION FOR THE OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS. Click the book.

Click here or the image of the book to be directed to the National BSA page. The content of this Web site is drawn from the Boy Scout Requirements book, which is designed to bring together the requirements for merit badges, rank advancements, and Eagle Palms, and to highlight recognitions for special opportunities. It contains active links to each of the ranks, etc. that also displays an image of the rank or award.

The requirements for merit badges, ranks, and Eagle Palms published in that book are effective January 1, 2013 and remain effective through December 31, 2013.