Swansea, IL
Troop 52 wishes to express its sincere thanks to the
author of this guideline, Mr. Ray Klaus.
This document was written when he was District Advancement Chairman for
Saddleback District, Orange County Council, BSA (1994-1995). It was designed to assist units in
conducting Boards of Review. The author
welcomes any comments or corrections to the document. He may be reached by e-mail at: klaus@ug.eds.com.
Table of Contents
1. Purpose of a Board of Review
2. Composition of a Board of Review
3. Mechanics of a Board of Review
4. Mechanics of a Board of Review for
Eagle Rank
5. The Nature of the Questions
6. What
Every Scout Should Know
7.
Tenderfoot Rank
8. 2nd Class Rank
9. 1st Class Rank
10. Star Rank
11. Life Rank
12. Eagle Rank
13. Eagle Palms
1. Purpose of a Board of Review:
The members of a Board of
Review should have the following objectives in mind:
* To make sure the Scout has completed the
requirements for the rank.
* To see how good an experience the Scout is
having in the unit.
* To encourage the Scout to progress further.
Additionally, the Board of Review provides
"quality control" on advancement within the unit, it provides an
opportunity for the Scout to develop and practice those skills needed in a
interview situation, and it is an opportunity for the Scout to review his
accomplishments.
The Board of Review is NOT a retest; the Scout has
already been tested on the skills and activities required for the rank. However, the chairman of the Board of Review
should ensure that all the requirements have been "signed off" in the
Scout's handbook. Additionally, the
chairman should ensure that leadership and merit badge records are consistent
with the requirements for the rank.
The Board of Review is an opportunity to review of
the Scout's attitudes, accomplishments and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals.
2. Composition of a Board of Review:
For all ranks (except Eagle) and Eagle palms, the
Board of Review consists of three to six members of the Troop Committee. The Troop Advancement Chairperson typically
acts as the chairperson of the Board of Review. Relatives or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's
Board of Review. Unit leaders
(Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Varsity Coach, Post Advisor, etc.) should
not participate in a Board of Review unless absolutely necessary.
For the rank of Eagle, the Board of Review consists
of three to six members drawn from Scouting and the community. The members of the Board of Review are
selected by the District Advancement Committee; at least one member of the
District Advancement Committee must be a member of the Board of Review for
Eagle, and serves as chairperson of the Board of Review. Unit leaders from the Scout's unit,
relatives, or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout's Board of Review
for Eagle. A Board of Review for Eagle
may contain members of the community who are not registered Scouters; however,
they should be knowledgeable of the principles of Scouting. For example, a representative from a
chartering organization, an adult Eagle Scout (even if not currently
registered), or a religious leader are frequently asked to assist with an Eagle
Board of Review. The Scout may request
an individual to be a member of his Board of Review. As a general rule, no more than one member of an Eagle Board
should be associated with the Scout's unit.
3. Mechanics of a Board of Review:
The Scout is introduced to the board by the
Chairperson of the board.
The Scout should be in full uniform (local or unit
custom may dictate regarding neckerchief and badge sash).
The chairman of the Board of
Review should ask the Scout to come to attention, and recite one or more of the
following:
* The Scout Law
* The Scout Oath
* The Scout Motto
* The Scout Slogan
* The Outdoor Code
For the lower ranks, one or two (usually the Law and
Oath) should be sufficient. For higher
ranks, more may be expected. One or two
re-tries are appropriate, especially for younger Scouts, or if the Scout
appears nervous.
The board members are invited to ask questions of
the Scout (see the sections appropriate to each rank). The questions should be open-ended, offering
an opportunity for the Scout to speak about his opinions, experiences,
activities, and accomplishments. Avoid
questions which only require a simple one or two word answer. If an answers is too brief, follow up with
a, "Why?" or, "How can that be done?" to expand the
answer. Thequestions need not be
restricted to Scouting topics; questions regarding home, church, school, work,
athletics, etc. are all
appropriate. The Chairperson should be
made aware of any "out-of-bounds" areas; these should be communicated
to the board before the Board of Review begins (e.g., if a Scout is
experiencing family difficulties due to a divorce, it would be prudent to avoid
family issues.)
The time for a Board of Review should be from 15 to
30 minutes, with the shorter time for the lower ranks. When all members have had an opportunity to
ask their questions, the Scout is excused from the room. The board members then consider whether the
Scout is ready for the next rank; the board's decision must be unanimous. Once the decision is made, the Scout is
invited back into the room, and the Chairperson informs the Scout of the
board's decision. If the Scout is
approved for the next rank, there are general congratulations and hand shakes
all around, and the Scout is encouraged to continue advancing. If there are issues which prevent the Scout
from advancing to the next rank, the board must detail the precise nature of
the deficiencies. The Scout must be
told specifically what must be done in order to be successful at the next Board
of Review. Typically, an agreement is
reached as to when the Scout may return for his subsequent Board of
Review. The Chairperson must send a
written follow up, to both the Scout and the Scoutmaster, regarding the
deficiencies and the course of action needed to correct them.
4. Mechanics of a Board of Review for Eagle
Rank
The mechanics of a Board of Review for Eagle are
similar to all other Boards of Review, except that a Board of Review for Eagle
is more in depth, and might last as long as 45 minutes to an hour. Additionally, the Eagle Scout Rank Application,
Letters of Recommendation (minimum of 3) and Eagle Project Notebook must be
present and reviewed by the board.
Questions about these documents are appropriate, but the letters of
recommendation are for the board's use only; any comments or questions about
them should not reveal who wrote the letters.
The letters are retained by the District Advancement Chairperson, and
are never given to the Scout. After the
application has been approved by National Eagle Board of Review and returned to
the local council (typically 4-6 weeks), the letters of recommendation are
destroyed.
5. The Nature of the Questions:
On the following pages are typical Board of Review
questions for each rank. The questions
for the lower ranks are simpler and generally deal with factual information
about the Scout's participation in his unit, and his approach to applying the
skills he has learned toward earning the next rank. The questions for the higher ranks are less factual, and
generally seek to aid understanding of how Scouting is becoming an integral
part of the Scout's life. Remember: it
is not the point of a Board of Review to retest the Scout. However, questions like, "Where did you
learn about ..." or "Why do you think it is important for a [rank]
Scout to have this skill?" are valid.
If a Scout appears nervous or anxious about the
Board of Review, it might be appropriate to ask one or two questions from the
list for a lower rank, to help "break the ice" and establish some
rapport. In general, within a rank, the
questions are arranged from "easiest" to "most difficult".
For each rank, there is a question about advancing
to the next rank. The purpose of this
question is to encourage advancement, but it should not be asked in a way that
pressures the Scout. [Note: If the
Board of Review is for the Life rank, and the Scout is at or near his 17th
birthday, some pressure towards Eagle may be in order. At the very least, be certain that the Scout
realizes that his time is running out.]
For higher ranks, there is a question from The Boy
Scout Handbook about basic Scouting history.
For Order of the Arrow members, there are questions
about the role of OA within Scouting.
More questions are provided than can typically be
accommodated in the time suggested. The
Board of Review will need to select the questions which are appropriate for the
particular Scout and his experiences.
These questions are intended to only serve as a
guide. Units should freely add to, or
remove from, these lists as they feel appropriate.
6. What Every Scout Should Know
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,
Reverent.
Scout Motto:
Be Prepared.
Scout Slogan:
Do a good turn daily.
Outdoor
Code:
As an American, I will do my
best to --
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors,and
Be conservation-minded.
7. Tenderfoot Rank
This
is the Scout's first experience with a Board of Review. The process may require some explanation on
the part of the Board of Review Chairperson.
The first few questions in the Board of Review should be simple. The Board of Review should try to gain a
sense of how the Scout is fitting in to the Troop, and the Scout's level of
enjoyment of the Troop and Patrol activities.
Encourage advancement to 2nd Class.
Point out that the Scout may have already completed many of the
requirements for 2nd Class. The
approximate time for this Board of Review should be 15-20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
1. When did you
join our Troop?
2. How many Troop
meetings have you attended in the last two months?
3. What did you
do at your last patrol meeting?
4. Tell us about
your last Troop campout.
5. How would the
first aid skills you must know for Tenderfoot help on a campout?
6. Where did you
learn how to fold the American flag?
Tell us about your first experience with this skill.
7. How would you
avoid poison oak (poison ivy, sumac)?
8. Where did you
go on your hike? How did you choose the
location?
9. If you were on
a hike and got lost, what would you do?
10. Why do we whip
or fuse the ends of a rope?
11. What is the
"Buddy System" that we use in Scouting? When do we use it?
12. Why do you
think there are physical fitness requirements (push-ups, pull-ups, etc.), and a
retest after 30 days, for the Tenderfoot rank?
13. What does it
mean to a Tenderfoot Scout to "Be Prepared"?
14. Do you feel that
you have done your best to complete the requirements for Tenderfoot? Why?
15. What "good
turn" have you done today?
16. Please give us
an example of how you obey the Scout Law at home (school, church)?
17. What do you
like best about our Troop?
18. What does it
mean for a Scout to be "Kind"?
19. Do you have any
special plans for this summer? The
Holidays?
20. When do you plan
to have the requirements completed for 2nd Class?
8. 2nd Class Rank
This is the Scout's second Board of Review. The process should be familiar, unless it
has been some time since the Board of Review for Tenderfoot. Questions should focus on the use of the
Scout skills learned for this rank, without retesting these skills. The Board of Review should try to perceive
how the Scout's patrol is functioning, and how this Scout is functioining
within his patrol. Encourage work on
the remaining requirements for 1st Class; many of the easier ones may have
already been completed. The approximate
time for this Board of Review should be 15-20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
1. How many
patrol meetings have you attended in the last 3 months?
2. What did your
patrol do at its last meeting?
3. Tell us about a
service project in which you participated.
4. Where did you
go on your last Troop campout? Did you
have a good time? Why?
5. Why is it
important to be able to identify animals found in your community?
6. Tell us about
the flag ceremony in which you participated.
7. What is in
your personal first aid kit?
8. What have you
learned about handling woods tools (axes, saws, etc.)?
9. How are a map
of the area and a compass useful on a campout?
10. Have you ever
done more than one "good turn" in a day? Ask for details.
11. Have you earned
any merit badges? If "Yes":
Which ones? Why did you choose
them? Who was your counselor? If "No": Encourage getting
started, and suggest one or two of the easier ones.
12. Did you attend
summer camp with our Troop last summer?
If "Yes": What was your best (worst) experience at summer
camp? If "No": Why not?
13. Do you plan to
attend summer camp with our Troop next summer?
If "Yes": What are you looking forward to doing at summer
camp? If "No": Why not?
14. What
suggestions do you have for improving our Troop?
15. How do you help
out at home, church, school?
16. What class in
school is most challenging for you?
Why?
17. One of the
requirements for Tenderfoot is to participate in a program regarding drug,
alcohol and tobacco abuse. Tell us
about the program in which you participated.
18. How is it
possible to live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life?
19. What does it
mean to say, "A Scout is Trustworthy"?
20. When do you
expect to complete the requirements for 1st Class?
9. 1st Class Rank
By this point, the Scout should be comfortable with
the Board of Review process. The Scout
should be praised for his accomplishment in achieving 1st Class (particularly
if he joined Boy Scouts less than a year ago).
In achieving the rank of 1st Class, the Scout should feel an additional
sense of responsibility to the troop and to his patrol. The lst Class rank will produce additional
opportunities for the Scout (Order of the Arrow, leadership, etc.). Merit badges will begin to play a role in
future advancement to the Star and Life ranks.
Encourage merit badge work if it has not already begun. The approximate time for this Board of
Review should be 20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
1. On average, how
many Troop meetings do you attend each month?
2. What part of
Troop meetings are most rewarding to you?
3. What is the
Scout Slogan? What does it mean for a
1st Class Scout?
4. Tell us about
your last campout with the Troop. Where
did you go? How did you help with meal
preparation? Did you have a good time? (If "No", why not?)
5. If you were in
charge of planning and preparing a dinner for your next campout, what would you
select?
6. As a 1st Class
Scout, what do you think the Star, Life, and Eagle Scouts will expect from you
on an outing?
7. Does your
family do any camping? What have you
learned in Scouts, that you have been able to share with your family to improve
their camping experiences?
8. Why do you
think that swimming is emphasized in Scouting?
9. Why is it
important for you to know how to transport a person who has a broken leg?
10. Why is it
important for you to be able to recognize local plant life?
11. What did you
learn about using a compass while completing the orienteering requirement?
12. What does it
mean to say, "A Scout is Courteous"?
13. Why are merit
badges a part of Scouting?
14. How frequently
do you attend religious services? Does
your whole family attend?
15. What is your
most favorite part of Scouting? Least
favorite?
16. How does a
Scout fulfill his "Duty to Country"?
17. How do you
define "Scout Spirit"?
18. What is the
Order of the Arrow? What is the primary
function of OA?
19. Who was Lord
Baden-Powell?
20. When do you think
you might be ready for Star Scout?
10. Star Rank
With the Star rank, emphasis is placed upon service
to others, merit badges, and leadership.
Scout skills remain an important element for the Star Scout; however,
the emphasis should be on teaching other Scouts these skills. Explore how the Star Scout can assist with
leading his patrol and troop. Attempt
to understand how the Scouting philosophy is becoming part of the Scout's life. Often the Star rank is a place where Scouts
"stall out." Encourage the
Scout to remain active, and participate fully in his patrol and troop. If the Scout appears to be looking for
additional opportunities, suggest leadership positions such as Den Chief or
Troop Guide. The approximate time for
this Board of Review should be 20 minutes.
Sample Questions:
1. How many Troop
outings have you attended in the last three months?
2. Tell us about
the last service project in which you participated.
3. What does it
mean for a Star Scout to "Be Prepared" on a daily basis?
4. How have the
Scout skills that you have learned helped you in a non-Scouting activity?
5. How many merit
badges have you earned? What was the
most difficult (fun, challenging, expensive, etc.)?
6. Which is more
important: Becoming a Star Scout, or learning the skills prescribed for a Star
Scout?
7. Why do you
think a Scoutmaster's Conference is required for advancement in rank?
8. What is the
most important part of a Troop Court of Honor?
Why?
9. What
leadership positions have you held outside of your patrol? What challenges did they present? What are your personal leadership goals and
objectives?
10. How would you
get a Scout to do an unpleasant task?
11. What
extracurricular activities do you participate in at school?
12. What
responsibilities do you have at home?
13. What is our
"Duty to God"?
14. What does it
mean to say "A Scout is Loyal"?
15. How are the
Scout Oath and Law part of your daily life?
16. What is the
Outdoor Code? Why is it important?
17. If the Scout is
a member of the Order of the Arrow:
When did you complete your "Ordeal",
"Brotherhood"? What does
membership in the OA signify?
18. Have you
received any special awards or accomplishments in school, athletics, or church?
19. Baden-Powell's
first Scout outing was located on an island off the coast of Great Britain;
what was the name of that island?
[Answer: Brownsea Island]
20. When do you
plan on achieving the Life rank?
11. Life Rank
The Life rank is the final rank before Eagle. The Life Scout should be fully participating in the Troop, with emphasis being placed on leadership in the unit, as well as teaching skills and leadership to the younger Scouts. Merit Badge work should be a regular part of the Scout's career. Scouting values and concepts should be an integral part of the Scout's daily life. At this point, the Scout is starting to "give back to Scouting" through leadership, training of other Scouts, recruiting, keeping Scouts active in the program, etc. Explore suggestions for improving the program. The approximate time for this Board of Review should be 20 - 30 minutes.
Sample Questions:
1. What is the
most ambitious pioneering project with which you have assisted? Where?
2. What has been
your worst camping experience in Scouting?
3. How many
patrol meetings has your patrol held in the last three months? How many of them have you attended?
4. Have any of
the merit badges you have earned lead to hobbies or possible careers?
5. What are your
hobbies?
6. Of the merit
badges you have earned, which one do you think will be of greatest value to you
as an adult? Why?
7. Why do you
think that the three "Citizenship" merit badges are required for the
Eagle Rank?
8. What is your
current (most recent) leadership position within the Troop? How long have you held that position? What particular challenges does it present? What is Leadership?
9. Do you have any
brothers or sisters who are in Scouts (any level)? What can you do to encourage them to continue with Scouts, and to
move forward along the Scouting Trail?
10. How do you
choose between a school activity, a Scout activity, and a family activity?
11. Why do you
think that Star and Life Scouts are required to contribute so much time to
service projects? What service projects
are most rewarding to you? Why?
12. Why do you
think that a Board of Review is required for rank advancement?
13. How has
Scouting prepared you for the future?
14. What does it
mean to say, "A Scout is Reverent"?
15. What does
"Scout Spirit" mean to a Life Scout?
16. Why do you
think that Scouting for Food is referred to as a "National Good
Turn".
17. The Scout Oath
refers to "Duty to Self"; what duty do we have to ourselves?
18. If the Scout is
a member of OA: What role does OA play
in Scouting? What honor do you hold in
OA? What is the difference between Scout
"ranks" and OA "honors"?
19. In what year was
Boy Scouts of America founded? [Answer:
February 8, 1910 - BSA Birthday]
20. Have you begun
to think about an Eagle Service Project?
What are you thinking about doing?
When?
12. Eagle Rank
The Board of Review for the
Eagle Rank is different from the other Boards of Review in which
the Scout has
participated. The members of the Board
of Review are not all from his Troop
Committee. Introductions are essential, and a few
"break in" questions may be appropriate. At
this point, the goal is to
understand the Scout's full Scouting experience, and how others can have
similar meaningful Scouting
experience. Scouting principles and
goals should be central to the
Scout's life; look for
evidence of this. Although this is the
final rank, this is not the end of the
Scouting trail; "Once
an Eagle, always an Eagle."
Explore how this eagle Scout will continue
with Scouting activities,
and continued service to his home, church, and community. The
approximate time for this
Board of Review should be 30-50 minutes.
Sample Questions:
1. What would you
suggest adding to the Scout Law (a thirteenth point)? Why?
2. What one point
could be removed from the Scout Law?
Why?
3. Why is it
important to learn how to tie knots, and lash together poles and logs?
4. What is the
difference between a "Hollywood hero" and a real hero?
5. Can you give
me an example of someone who is a hero to you?
(A real person, not a character in a book or movie.)
6. Why do you
think that the Family Life merit badge was recently added to the list of
required merit badges?
7. What camping
experience have you had, that you wish every Scout could have?
8. Have you been
to Philmont or a National (International) Jamboree? What was your most memorable experience there?
9. What is the
role of the Senior Patrol Leader at a troop meeting (campout, summer camp)?
10. If you could
change one thing to improve Scouting, what would you change?
11. What do you
believe our society expects from an Eagle Scout?
12. The charge to
the Eagle requires that you give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given
to you. How do you propose to do that?
13. As an Eagle
Scout, what can you personally do to improve your unit?
14. What will you
be doing in your unit, after receiving your Eagle Rank?
15. Tell us how you
selected your Eagle Service Project.
16. From your Eagle
Service Project, what did you learn about managing or leading people? What are the qualities of a good leader?
17. What part of
your Eagle Service Project was the most challenging? Why?
18. If you were to
manage another project similar to your Eagle Service Project, what would you do
differently to make the project better or easier?
19. What are your
future plans (high school, college, trade school, military, career, etc.)?
20. Tell us about
your family (parents, siblings, etc.).
How do you help out at home?
21. What do you
think is the single biggest issue facing Scouting in the future?
22. How do your
friends outside of Scouting react when they learn that you are a Boy
Scout? How do you think they will react
when they learn that you have become an Eagle Scout?
23. Why do you
think that belief in God (a supreme being) is part of the Scouting requirements?
24. How do you know
when a Scout is "active" in his unit?
25. You have been
in Scouting for many years, sum up all of those experiences in one word. Why?
26. What one thing
have you gained from your Scoutmaster's conferences over the years?
27. How does an
Eagle Scout continue to show Scout Spirit?
28. If the Scout is
a member of the Order of the Arrow:
What does OA membership mean to you?
How does OA help Scouting and your unit?
29. Who brought
Scouting from England to the United States?
[Answer: William D. Boyce]
30. [Traditional
last questions] Why should this Board of Review approve your request for the
Eagle Rank? or Why should you be an
Eagle Scout?
13. Eagle Palms
Eagle Palms are awarded for continued leadership and
skills development (merit badges) after the Eagle Rank has been earned. The purpose of this Board of Review is to
ensure that the Eagle Scout remains active within the unit, contributes to the
leadership of the unit, and assists with the growth of the other Scouts within
the unit.
The approximate time for this Board of Review should
be 15 minutes.
Sample Questions:
1. As an Eagle,
have the Scout Oath and Law gained new meaning for you? How?
2. Why is it
important to developing and identify leadership? How do you do this?
3. Since earning
your Eagle,what merit badges have you earned?
4. Since earning
your Eagle (last Palm), in what service projects have you participated?
5. How do you
plan to continue your involvement with Scouting?
6. What would you
say to a Life Scout who is only minimally active within his unit, and who does
not seem motivated to continue along the Scouting Trail?
7. If a Life Scout
was having difficulty selecting an Eagle Service Project, what would you
suggest to him?
8. What is the
primary role of the Scoutmaster?
9. How have you
begun to "...give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given to
you".
10. In what year was
the first World Jamboree held? [Answer:
1920]