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The Boy Scout program is very different from the Cub Scouts - mostly in the fact that it is Boy-Led. If scouts are coming from a well-run Webelos program where they were given responsibilities and decision-making opportunities, they will shift into a troop environment easily. If their Webelos leader did all the planning and operational work, then they will have a rougher time taking on responsibility for their scouting activities.
 
There are 7 ranks in Boy Scouting, culminating with the Eagle Scout rank. The first 4 ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, & 1st Class) are a time for a scout to learn skills for outdoors, self-sufficiency, and citizenship. The last 3 ranks (Star, Life, Eagle) are earned by completion of merit badges, service efforts, and leadership. Once First Class rank is earned, a scout changes from being a 'learner' to a 'leader' and is expected to teach new scouts.
 
Either the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or higher ranking scout will sign off on scout advancements - depending on the troop policy. We allow Troop Guides to sign off for scouts in the patrol they are mentoring and Star, Life, or Eagle scouts to sign-off any Tenderfoot, 2nd, or 1st class requirements. We encourage younger scouts to go to higher ranking scouts for sign-off rather than to the same adult every time. This helps build relationships with the troop leadership and turns their handbook into an autograph book of other scouts' initials.
 
A common schedule for a scouting unit is:

• 1 Patrol meeting each month
• 2 Troop meetings each month
• 1 Troop campout each month

 
Here are some documents to Plan Your Year, Plan a Troop Meeting, and Track First Class Advancement.
 
An active boy scout can reach First Class rank in 12 months and should reach First Class within 18 to 20 months. This program schedule offers an example of activities that will have scouts meet that time schedule. The advancement activities listed for Troop Meetings occur during the 'Patrol Time' in each meeting - if your troop does not have this time, then these activities would need to occur before or after the meeting or at a separate patrol meeting. In Minnesota, due to weather, we try to get most outdoors demonstration skills (like water rescue) done in the summer months.
 

J: Joining requirement in handbook        T: Tenderfoot        S: Second class        F: First class
Month	Activities
March	Do J1,2,3, and 9 to join a troop. 1st Troop Meeting: Do J4, 5. Patrol Meeting: Discuss Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan and begin memorizing them.   Create a patrol name, yell, and flag. Practice square knot. Study Scout badge. 2nd Troop Meeting (Court of Honor): Watch First Class scouts advance. Do J6, 7, 8 - as a patrol, discuss the importance of the oath, law, motto, slogan, and Outdoor Code. Have Scoutmaster explain their importance. Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for Joining
April	Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for Joining 1st Troop Meeting: Receive Scout badge, if requirements are complete. Patrol Meeting: Practice Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan. Each scout whips a 6' rope and fuses a 6' rope - keep these ropes for practice and demonstration. Practice tying square knot, two half-hitches, and taut-line hitch.   Finish patrol flag and practice yell. 2nd Troop Meeting: Do T8 - bring your patrol flag and give your patrol yell in front of the whole troop.   Discuss upcoming camping trip - packing list, uniform expectations, and duty roster. Create menu for trip. Receive Scout badge, if requirements are complete. Troop CampOut: Do T1, 2, 3 - dressed for campout, sleep in tent, prepare meal.
May	1st Troop Meeting: Arrive Early. Do T10a before meeting - each scout records first attempt Patrol Meeting: Go on a hike and practice rules of safe hiking. Discuss buddy system and use it on hike. Practice tying square knot, two half-hitches, and taut-line hitch on a break while hiking. Look for poisonous plants and talk about their treatment. Practice first aid for T12 - do not practice the Heimlich maneuver. 2nd Troop Meeting: Do T5, 7, 9 - safe hiking rules, oath, law, motto, slogan from memory, buddy system Troop CampOut: Do T4a, 4b, 6 - whip & fuse rope, tie two half hitch and taut-line hitch, raise, lower, fold flag
June	1st Troop Meeting: Arrive Early. Do T10a or T10b before meeting - each scout records final attempt or first attempt. Do T11 - poisonous plants. Patrol Meeting: Practice first aid. Do S6b - make a first aid kit. Go on a hike and do T12 - have senior scouts role-play injuries along the hike and sign off if new scouts show correct first aid. Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for Tenderfoot. Arrange Board of Review. 2nd Troop Meeting (Court of Honor): Receive Tenderfoot badge if all requirements are complete. Troop CampOut : Do S2c,d - Totin' Chip. Service Project: Do S4 - 1 hour service
July	1st Troop Meeting: Do T10b before meeting - each scout records final attempt. Do S3 - flag ceremony. Patrol Meeting: Practice with compass and map. Go on a hike using map and compass, and take photos or collect evidence of 10 animals and 10 plants. 2nd Troop Meeting: Do S3, S5, F6 - flag ceremony, identify 10 animals, 10 plants. Summer Camp: Do S7a,b,c, F9b,c - swimming and water rescue, swimmer test. Do S2b,e,f - select site and pitch tent, fire safety
August	1st Troop Meeting: Do S3, S5, F6 - flag ceremony, identify 10 animals, 10 plants. Patrol Meeting: Practice serious first aid. Do S6b - make a first aid kit if missed in June. 2nd Troop Meeting: Do S3 - flag ceremony. Troop CampOut: Do S1a,b - 5-mile compass hike. Do S2g - cook own meal. Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for Tenderfoot. Arrange Board of Review.
September	1st Troop Meeting: Do F4a,c,d (1 scout per campout) - plan menu, list cooking gear, explain safe food handling. Patrol Meeting: Practice serious first aid. Go on a hike, taking first aid kits along. 2nd Troop Meeting (Court of Honor): Receive Tenderfoot badge. Individually: Do F4b (1 scout per campout) - food costs, amounts, and purchase for campout. Troop CampOut: Do F1 - direction without compass. Do F4e - (1 scout per campout) - use This worksheet. In patrols of 6 or more scouts, you could break into two groups so a scout could serve as cook for each.
October	1st Troop Meeting: Do S6a,c - have older scouts role-play injuries and then sign off if new scouts show correct first aid. Do F4a,c,d (1 scout per campout) - plan menu, list cooking gear, explain safe food handling. Patrol Meeting: Practice knots - square, timber hitch, clove hitch, bowline, lashings 2nd Troop Meeting: Do F2 - orienteering course race organized by Instructors. Individually: Do F4b (1 scout per campout) - food costs, amounts, and purchase for campout. Troop CampOut: Do F7a,b,c - lashings, knots, camp gadget. Do F2 - orienteering course race organized by Instructors. Do F4e - (1 scout per campout) - use This worksheet. In patrols of 6 or more scouts, you could break into two groups so a scout could serve as cook for each. Special Event: Do S8 - create a skit or presentation as a patrol and present it to a Cub Scout pack, Sunday school class, or other group. Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for Second Class. Arrange Board of Review. Do S2a - at least 5 troop/patrol activities,
November	1st Troop Meeting: Do F8a - bowline knot. Patrol Meeting: Do F5 - citizen rights and obligations, have an expert present to patrol. 2nd Troop Meeting: Troop CampOut: Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for Second Class. Arrange Board of Review. Do S2a - at least 5 troop/patrol activities,
December	1st Troop Meeting: Do F9a - safe trip afloat. Patrol Meeting: Practice advanced first aid skills for F8. 2nd Troop Meeting (Court of Honor): Receive Second Class badge Troop CampOut:
January	1st Troop Meeting: Do F8a,b - have older scouts role-play injuries and then sign off if new scouts show correct first aid. Or, stage an emergency situation for the new scouts to handle. Patrol Meeting: 2nd Troop Meeting: Do F8c,d - injury transport, heart attack. Or, stage an emergency situation for the new scouts to handle. Troop CampOut: Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for First Class. Arrange Board of Review. Do F3 - at least 10 troop/patrol activities
February	1st Troop Meeting: First Class Olympics - knot relays, first aid relays, compass use, fire building, animal/plant identification, ... Patrol Meeting: 2nd Troop Meeting: Troop CampOut: Individually: Schedule a Scoutmaster conference for First Class. Arrange Board of Review. Do F3 - at least 10 troop/patrol activities
March	1st Troop Meeting: Patrol Meeting: 2nd Troop Meeting (Court of Honor): Receive First Class badge. Troop CampOut: