Advancement

Internet Advancement Tracking Units can now use Internet Advancement to record their youth member advancement from any online location: at home or at the office.  Learn more about online advancement here. Merit Badge Counselors Merit Badge Counselors must be at least 18 years of age and be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. If they are already BSA members they need to fill out a Merit Badge Counselor Data Collection Form. For non-registered adults, they need to fill out an adult leader application and the data collection form. There is no charge to serve as a Merit Badge Counselor. Advancement Reports All Units must complete an advancement report prior to purchasing awards. The advancement report must be either the official BSA form or two copies from Troop Master or Pack Master. The Advancement Report should be signed by the unit Advancement Chairman. The forms must have the required signatures. Troops must also bring the blue merit badge application (aka Blue card) for verification of counselor. Try internet advancement to make this process a lot easier!

Arrow of Light/Cross Over Ceremonies

The Arrow of Light is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn.  Help ensure it is a memorable ceremony by checking out the ceremony books that are available in the Scout Hut.  Don't forget to invite your local Scout Troop to help with the ceremony.

Eagle Scouts

When a Scout earns his Life badge he begins to work on his Eagle. Troops should present the Scout with his Life to Eagle packet when he receives his Life or shortly after. There will be an Eagle Scout Conference on 30 October 2008 and 19 March 2009 for Life Scouts to learn the process of completing the Eagle Scout requirements. Both the Troop Committee and the District Advancement Committee must approve eagle projects. The District Advancement Committee will approve eagle projects on the second Wednesday of each month, unless other arrangements have been made. Eagle Boards of Review must be scheduled through the District Advancement Committee. The Troop is responsible for 3 adults for the Board. These members can be from the Troop Committee or interested community leaders (i.e. Camp/Base Commander, Unit Commanders/Chiefs, School Principals, Chaplains, etc.).

Adams Service Project Award

The National Eagle Scout Association has established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. The award recognizes the Scout for his Eagle Scout service project, which is part of the requirements for earning the Eagle Scout Award. Each local council will choose a council-level winner, and from that pool each region will pick a region-level winner. From the four regional finalists, an overall winner will be selected. Learn more about it from the flyer or at the National Eagle Scout website.

Golden Spark Plug Award

The Golden Spark Plug Award is the opportunity for Units to recognize a leader for outstanding service to the Unit. The Golden Spark Plug Awards are presented at the District Dinner in February. Names must be turned in by the January Roundtable.

Silver Shisa Award

The Silver Shisa is an annual award given by the Great Okinawa District to Scouters at each level of Scouting for outstanding service that year. The awards are presented at the District Dinner in February.

District Award of Merit

The District Award of Merit is the highest award the District may present to a Scouter. The Award of Merit is presented at the District Dinner in February. To nominate a Scouter for the Award of Merit, the nomination form must be returned to the Scout Office by January Roundtable. Nomination forms are available at the Scout Service Center.