Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are questions often asked of the national Advancement Team. Each question is followed by the location of the answer; that is, the heading and topic number under which the answer can be found.

11.1.0.1 Cub Scouting

  1. How have methods of delivering the Cub Scout program changed? (“Delivering the Cub Scout Program,” 4.1.0.1)
  2. May assistant den leaders or parents sign off on requirements in boys’ handbooks? (“Who Approves Cub Scout Advancement?” 4.1.0.3)
  3. What if a Cub Scout cannot complete a requirement? (“It’s All About the Motto: ‘Do Your Best,’” 4.1.0.4)
  4. May unused achievements be used for electives? (“Arrow Points,” 4.1.1.6)
  5. May a Cub Scout use electives more than once in earning Arrow Points? (“Arrow Points,” 4.1.1.6)
  6. Is there an age limit for earning the Arrow of Light Award? (“The Arrow of Light Award,” 4.1.1.9)

11.1.0.2 Boy Scouting and Varsity Scouting

  1. What does “active participation” mean? (“Active Participation,” 4.2.3.1)
  2. What are “positions of responsibility,” and how are they evaluated? (“Positions of Responsibility,” 4.2.3.4)
  3. Why require positions of “responsibility” rather than “leadership”? (“‘Responsibility’ and ’Leadership,’” 4.2.3.4.6)
  4. Must the unit leader (Scoutmaster) conference be the last step before a board of review? (“Unit Leader [Scoutmaster] Conference,” 4.2.3.5)
  5. May a Scout choose any registered merit badge counselor? (“Unit Leader Signs the Application for Merit Badge (“Blue Card”), 7.0.0.2)
  6. Is there a time limit between starting work on a merit badge and finishing it? What if requirements change? (“Partial Completions,” 7.0.3.3; “What to Do When Requirements Change,” 7.0.4.3)
  7. Can a Scout be denied a board of review? (“Boards of Review Must Be Granted When Requirements Are Met,” 8.0.0.2)
  8. What if parents insist on attending a board of review? (“Conducting the Board of Review,” 8.0.1.0)
  9. What happens if board of review members cannot unanimously agree on a decision? (“Board Members Must Agree Unanimously on Decisions to Approve,” 8.0.1.4)

11.1.0.3 The Eagle Scout Rank

  1. May Eagle candidates choose board of review members? (“Composition of Board of Review,” 8.0.0.3)
  2. Shouldn’t an Eagle Scout candidate be in uniform for his board of review? (“Wearing the Uniform— or Neat in Appearance,” 8.0.0.4)
  3. How are Eagle Scout boards of review different from those for the other ranks? (“Board of Review Particulars for the Eagle Scout Rank,” 8.0.3.0)
  4. What if an Eagle Scout candidate cannot participate in a board of review right away? (“Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday,” 8.0.3.1)
  5. May an adult who completed the Eagle Scout requirements, but was not so recognized, still receive the rank? (“Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday,” 8.0.3.1)
  6. How is the decision of a board of review appealed? (“Appealing a Decision,” 8.0.4.0)
  7. Must the council retain Eagle Scout reference documents? (“References Contacted,” 9.0.1.7)
  8. May an Eagle Scout board of review be delayed until all references respond? (“References Contacted,” 9.0.1.7)
  9. Is there a standard number of helpers or hours for Eagle Scout service projects? (“Give Leadership to Others . . .,” 9.0.2.4)
  10. Must an Eagle Scout service project beneficiary be a nonprofit organization? (“Helpful to Any Religious Institution, Any School, or Your Community,” 9.0.2.5)
  11. What if an Eagle Scout service project is not approved prior to beginning? (“Proposal Must Be Approved . . . Before You Start,” 9.0.2.7)
  12. What if the benefiting organization changes its mind about a project? (“Proposal Must Be Approved . . . Before You Start,” 9.0.2.7)
  13. What if an Eagle Scout project is denied final approval? (“Evaluating the Project After Completion,” 9.0.2.13)
  14. How does a Scout receive an extension of time to achieve the Eagle Scout rank? (“Time Extensions,” 9.0.4.0)

11.1.0.4 Venturing

  1. May the work done for one Venturing award also apply to another? (“Multiple Credit for Venturers,” 4.3.1.3)
  2. May a Venturer or Sea Scout work on Boy Scout advancement? (“Boy Scout Advancement in Venturing and Sea Scouts,” 4.3.1.4)
  3. May a Venturer who is not a Sea Scout earn the Sea Scout Bronze Award? (“Sea Scout Bronze Award,” 4.4.1.6)

11.1.0.5 Special-Needs Scouting

  1. Can a boy with a disability of any severity become a Boy Scout? How can he participate and advance? Does he need to join a “special” unit? (“Advancement for Members With Special Needs,” 10.0.0.0)
  2. What kinds of allowances are made for special needs members? (“Advancement Flexibility Allowed,” 10.2.0.0)