Longs Peak Council

Boy Scouts of America

A Guide for Boards of Review

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW

Tenderfoot through Life Ranks and Eagle Palms

This board of review is made up of at least three and not more than six members of the troop committee. One member serves as chairman, usually the committee member responsible for advancement. Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or gaurdians may not serve as members of a Scout's board of review. (In the case where all committee members are unit leaders, a unit leader that has served as a rank or merit badge counselor for the candiate can not be a board of review member.)

Eagle

This board of review for an Eagle candiate is composed of a minimum of three members and a maximum of six members, 21 years of age or older. These members do not have to be registered in Scouting, but they must have an understanding of the importance and purpose of the Eagle board of review. Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives, or gaurdians may not serve as members of this board of review. At least one district advancement representative shall be a member of the Eagle board of review. The district representative will serve as chairman unless requested otherwise by the unit.

Reminders for Boards of Review

1. The following pages contain sample questions that may be used by a Board of Review. The board will not necessarily use all of these questions, but following this format will assist them in determining if a Scout is prepared for advancement.

2. Before the interview begins the Board should take the time to review the Scout's handbook; this way they too can formulate their own questions. The Scout should be assured that what is said during the review is between the Scout and the Board and will not be repeated outside of that forum! Information gathered during the reviews should be used to help improve Troop management.

3. The Board can take this opportunity to give the Scout a "once over" on his uniform. This is a chance for the Scout to show pride in his uniform and in the patches he has earned. This is not meant to be a formal uniform inspection, but it should be used as another opportunity to make certain that the uniform is worn correctly. This inspection is NOT to be used as criteria for passing the Board of Review.

4. There is not a right or wrong answer to any of the questions. They are a tool. The Troop Committee's first responsibility is to make certain that the Scout UNDERSTANDS what he has achieved with his PENDING rank advancement and the additional responsibilities that the Scout will assume as he grows within the Troop. One of the greatest needs of boys is confidence (in advancing the Scout builds that confidence). You want the Scout to walk away from the Board knowing what he has achieved is something very worth while. Make it a pleasant experience for him and the Board.

5. The Board of Review is not just a question and answer period. The Board does not re-test the candidate. Rather, the Board should attempt to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals. A discussion of the Scout Oath and Law is in keeping with the purpose of the review, to make certain that the candidate recognizes and understands the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school, and community. The Board should remember that the Scout advancing to Tenderfoot or Second Class will not have the same kind of answers as a Scout trying to advance to the rank of Life or Eagle. During the review, each member of the board must form a judgement concerning the Scout's qualifications.

* Has the scout accomplished the tasks that are required? {This is not a review of the requirements but of the experiences the scout had in completing these tasks.}

* What sort of experience is he having in the Troop and within his Patrol?

* Is he ready for advancement and the responsibilities that come with it?

* Where does he plan to go from here? Encourage him to verbally set goals.

6. If the Scout is not actively participating in his review, or appears to have little or no interest in the questions being asked, the Board is obligated to inform the Scout that he will need to come back at a later date when he is truly prepared. If the Scout does not pass the Board of Review for any reason, the Board is required to specify to the Scout exactly why he did not pass. The Board must list explicit reasonably obtainable goals for the Scout to pass. A written copy of these goals should be given to the Scout and the Committee Chairman at the conclusion of the Board.

7. Advancement accommodates three (3) aims in Scouting:

* build character

* foster citizenship

* develop fitness (mental, emotional, physical & moral)

There are four (4) steps to advancement in Scouting:

* The Boy Scout learns by DOING.

* The Scout is tested. (Troop Policies and Procedures)

* The Scout is reviewed. (Board of Review)

* The Scout is recognized. (Court of Honor)

8. General practice is to make every reasonable consideration for the Scout, provided the requirements as stated in the Boy Scout Handbook are completed to the satisfaction of a Trained Scout Leader or Senior Scout (as defined in individual Troop Policies and Procedures).

tenderfoot badge

Sample Tenderfoot Review Questions

I am the Tenderfoot. My three points stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath. You find me on the mariners compass, forever pointing the way to the north star and a safe journey in life. On my face are two stars representing truth and knowledge, a shield which is the emblem of a nation molded together in justice, and an eagle to guard the freedom of my land.

Personal Data... (good ice breaker)

1. When did you join the Troop?

2. What grade are you in? What school?

3. What hobbies do you have?

4. Why did you join Boy Scouts?

What Do You Think...

5. How do you live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life? If you find it a challenge how do you overcome it?

6. What is a good turn? What good turns have you done lately?

7. What troop outings have you attended? What do you think of them?

8. What does "On My Honor" mean to you?

9. What do you think people expect from you as a Boy Scout?

Teamwork...

10. Have you been able to make it to most of the troop meetings so far?

11. What is the name of your patrol? Do you have a flag?

12. Do you feel that you and your patrol are getting along?

13. Is there anything you would like to see changed in the patrol or troop meetings?

The Big Picture...

14. What do you like best about Scouting?

15. How (or how not) has Scouting been what you thought it would be?

16. Have you taken part in any recent service projects? Which ones?

17. What are your long term plans in scouting?

18. What are your plans for Second Class?

** Do you have any questions or concerns of us, your board? **

Sample Second Class Review Questions

I am the Second Class. The ends of my scroll are turned up in the willing smile of the Scout. On my face is our motto "Be Prepared" and suspended from me is the knot tied there to remind you of the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America, "Do a Good Turn Daily".

Personal Data... (good ice breaker)

1. How old are you?

2. Do your friends at school know you're in Scouts?

3. Do you ever take the time and just talk with members of your family? If so, who?

4. Do you have a hero? If so, who and why?

What Do You Think...

5. In the Scout Oath, what does "I will do my best" mean to you?

6. Do you ever do more than one Good Turn Daily? What kinds?

7. What point of the Scout Law is the most important to you? Why?

8. Do you have a favorite youth or adult leader? If so, what makes that person a good leader?

9. The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared". What does it mean to you?

10. What do you think it means to be a Second Class Scout? What should people expect of you?

Teamwork...

11. What did you do for you one (1) hour of service required for Second Class? What did you think of the project? What other service have you done?

12. What type of service projects would you like to work on?

13. Does your patrol have patrol meetings?{Do you find them helpful?} Is there something the troop can do to help your patrol have productive patrol meetings?

14. Is there any part of the patrol program that you would like changed? How would you make these changes? What is the benefit of these changes?

Your Progress...

15. What requirement for this rank was the hardest? Easiest?

16. Have you started earning any merit badges? Which ones interest you, and why?

17. Do you have any difficulty setting goals for yourself?

18. Have you had a chance to cook outdoors? What did you like about it?

19. What outdoor skills do you like best?

The Big Picture...

20. What are your plans for First Class?

21. Is there anything the troop can do to help you?

22. What are your long term plans in scouting?

23. What part of scouting interests you the most?

24. Are you enjoying Scouting? Why or Why not?

25. What is the first Patrol Leadership position you plan to run for?

** Do you have any questions or concerns of us your board? **

Sample First Class Review Questions

I am the First Class. I was tenderfoot and I laid my course by the stars of truth and knowledge and girded myself with the righteousness of justice and freedom. I added a smile that I might be a friend to all and bound myself together with the knot of duty to others.

Personal Data... (good ice breaker)

1. What grade are you in?

2. What do you like about school? What is your favorite subject?

3. What do you tell your friends about the things you learn and do in Scouts?

What Do You Think...

4. To you, what does it mean to "Do my duty to God"?

5. What point of the Scout Law is the hardest for you to live up to?

6. What more does "Be Prepared" mean to a First Class Scout, than to a Second Class Scout?

7. What does "On my Honor" mean to you?

Teamwork...

8. How does your Patrol function as a team? What part do you take in helping your Patrol?

9. What was the last project your patrol worked on as a unit?

10. How do you apply teamwork in your home? With friends?

11. Have you had a chance to teach the younger Scouts any of your recently earned scout skills? What did you teach?

12. What do you think Shared Leadership is?

Your Progress...

13. What merit badges do you have?

14. Which merit badge was the most valuable to you? Why?

15. For this rank you met with a civil employee and discussed your constitutional rights and obligations. Who did you meet with, and what (if anything) did you get from your talk?

16. What was the most challenging requirement (rank or merit badge)?

17. Do you think that your first aid knowledge will actually help you? How? Have you had an opportunity to use any of it?

The Big Picture...

18. What are your plans for your progress toward Star? Do you have a goal date when you would like to make Star by?

19. If you had the opportunity to add or delete one (1) requirement for this rank, what would it be and why?

20. What effect has Scouting had on your life?

21. Do you have a long term goal for your Scouting career?

** Do you have any questions or concerns ofus your board? **

Sample Star Review Questions

I am the Star. Now that I can stand alone, I have earned the right to improve on my own. To me goes the honor of choosing my field. Before me lies the horizon of endless opportunity.

Personal Data... (good ice breaker)

1. What do you do with your spare time?

2. What other activities do you participate in? (ie. sports, music, social/religious groups, etc.)

3. How many younger siblings do you have? What sort of impression do you think you give them and others about Scouting?

4. Do you keep a small sewing kit in your backpack? Have you ever had a need to use it while on an outing (ie. tent zipper, clothes rip, massive wound, etc)?

5. Who makes sure your uniform is clean and the patches are all sewn on for you to wear?

6. How do you help out at home? Do you do it to "chip in" or earn money?

What Do You Think...

7. What should the statement, "A Scout is Trustworthy" mean to a Star Scout?

8. What do you think the role of a Star Scout is in relationship to younger scouts?

9. How does the Scout Oath affect the life of a Star Scout differently than it would the life of a Tenderfoot Scout?

10. What do others have a right to expect of a Star Scout?

11. What point of the Scout Law is the most important to you? Why?

12. How do you feel that you live the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life?

13. What is the Scout Slogan? {answer: "Do a Good Turn Daily"} What type of "Good Turns" do you do?

Teamwork...

14. What part do you take in the Troop Meetings? Are you a leader or a follower?

15. Do you hold a leadership position in the troop now? If so, which one and what are your responsibilities? If no, which position(s) have you held? Tell me a short story about your time as a leader.

16. What service project did you work on to earn your required hours for this rank? What was your job on the project?

17. How do you feel your patrol functions as a team?

18. Have you ever tried to instill a change (long or short term) in your patrol? What was it? How? Did you get the results you wanted?

Your Progress...

19. How would you describe the change in your thinking, actions, and performance since earning First Class? Were they through conscious effort?

20. Which six (6) merit badges did you earn for this rank? Which was the most important to you? Why?

21. What was the most interesting and/or unique requirement you have had in a merit badge?

22. While working toward your Star did you learn anything that you would like to pass on to the younger Scouts? What?

23. What have you learned that might help you as an adult?

The Big Picture...

24. What is your goal for reaching Life Scout?

25. What is your long term goal for Scouting?

26. What do you feel the troop can do most to help the younger Scouts so they will make it to Star and beyond?

27. If you could make one (1) change in the merit badge program (ie structure, format, add a badge). What would you do?

28. What type of career interests you? Have you looked into earning a related merit badge?

** Do you have any questions or concerns of us, your board? **

Sample Life Review Questions

I am the Life. I have shown the world that scouting is in my heart. I have mastered the knowledge of subjects that will benefit my country and my fellow man. I am ready to reach for my wings to fly.

Personal Data... (good ice breaker)

1. How are you doing in school? What do you like the most about it?

2. Do you feel it took you a long time to get here?

What Do You Think...

3. How does Scouting influence your interactions with people?

4. Have you ever felt you had to defend yourself because someone knew you are in Scouts?

5. Outside of Scouting, tell me about a time when you have had to be a leader. How did it make you feel afterward?

6. Other than your parents, who do you think has influence your life the most? Why? Who's life do you think you have the most influence over? Why?

7. Name one thing you hate doing, but you do it anyway because you know it will please someone. How do you feel afterward?

8. What does "A Scout is Brave" mean to a Life Scout?

9. In this fast paced time of great stress, what should "Be Prepared" mean to a Life Scout?

10. How can you personally help keep up the Scout Spirit in the Troop?

11. What does "Duty to God" mean to a Life Scout? How do you fulfill your duty?

12. What should others be able to expect from you as a Life Scout?

13. What does "On My Honor" mean to you?

14. What is the most difficult part of the Scout Oath and Law for you to live up to in your daily life? How do you over come it?

Teamwork...

15. How many outings have you been on in the last year? Which did you like the most and why?

16. What have you done since becoming a Star Scout, in caring out additional responsibilities in the Troop? Patrol?

17. Which service projects did you work on for the rank of Life? What did you do?

18. What do you like most about the Patrol Method? Least?

19. What role do you play in your Patrol?

20. What is "Shared Leadership"? How do you see it in your Patrol and in the Troop?

21. What do you think is the most important skill for a leader? Why?

Your Progress...

22. What additional merit badges did you earn for Life?

23. What was the most difficult merit badge for you to earn? How often did you meet with your counselor on that one?

24. Which merit badge did you enjoy the most? Why?

25. What was the most important thing you learned while working toward Life Scout?

26. Who helps you or coaches you in preparing for merit badges?

27. Which merit badges are you working on now?

28. Have you found any merit badges that you think are too hard for scouts to earn? Which ones? What makes them so difficult?

29. What leadership position did you hold for this rank? What was your biggest challenge? How did you handle it? What, if any, leadership position would you be most interested in holding?

The Big Picture...

30. Have you thought about what you will need to do for Eagle?

31. What do you think you can do to help younger Scouts?

32. Which scouting skill do you like the most? Why? Least? Why?

33. What do you think about the Order of the Arrow program?

34. Is the Troop's Outdoor Program adequate to develop skills and maintain the interest of the Scouts? What changes would you make?

** Do you have any questions or concerns for us your board? **

Sample Eagle Review Questions

I am the Eagle. It has been a long hard--but wonderful -- road. I have mastered my goal. With deep humility I now stand as a representative of the best that scouting can accomplish in the lives of boys. May I now pass on to my younger brothers a portion of my knowledge.

Personal Data... (good ice breaker)

1. What is your full name?

2. How old are you?

3. With whom do you live?

4. What do you do to make your home a pleasant place to live?

5. Who do you feel is responsible for you being before us today?

6. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?

7. What do you consider to be your strongest attribute? Why?

8. What do you consider to be your greatest weakness? What are you doing to overcome this weakness?

9. How does Scouting influence your interactions with people?

10. How are you different now, then when you joined Scouting?

11. Have you ever entered into a competition that you knew you would win "hands-down", only to come out second in the end? Any competition, sports...band...individual events. How did you handle it?

12. If you had the opportunity to meet and talk for an hour with any person in the world (alive or dead)... who would it be and what would you ask that person?

What Do You Think...

{Please stand, give the Scout Sign, and SLOWLY recite the Scout Oath and Law... as you do contemplate each point carefully}

13. Of the twelve (12) points in the Scout Law, which one (1) is the most important to you? Why?

14. Let's say BSA decided to shorten the Scout Law, and you had to eliminate one (1) of the twelve (12) points. Which would you eliminate and why? If you could, what would you replace that point with?

15. What is "Honor"? What does it mean when you say "On My Honor"?

16. What does "A Scout is Reverent" mean to you?

17. What does it mean to be an Eagle Scout? What burdens and responsibilities come with being Eagle? Once an Eagle... An Eagle for life...Are you prepared for this?

18. What is an Eagle Scout's duty to his country?

19. How do you feel that becoming an Eagle might affect your life?

20. What constitutes a "Good Turn" for you? Tell me about a Good Turn you've done recently.

21. How do you keep yourself "Mentally Awake"? "Morally Straight"?

Teamwork...

22. Have you been carrying any additional responsibilities in the Troop since you became Life? What have you done? How did you go about it?

23. What strengths and weaknesses have you noticed in the various Patrols? What would you suggest to correct the weaknesses?

24. What do you think of the Patrol Method? How has the Troop performed in giving the Patrols the support they need?

25. How can the Troop improve on it's training of youth leaders?

26. How do you see your role in the Troop changing after becoming an Eagle?

Your Progress...

27. Now that you have at least 21 merit badges, do you think that any one you have earned might lead you into a life's career? Which one?

28. What was the hardest merit badge for you to complete? Why was it so hard? Could the Troop have helped you to make it any easier? Should the Troop have helped you?

29. What do you think you can pass on to the younger Scouts in the Troop? Have you ever thought of looking into becoming a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) or as an adult an Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM)?

30. If a Tenderfoot asked you for help in working on a merit badge, would you help him, send him to someone else, or tell him to concentrate on the skills needed for Second Class? Why would you advise him this way?

31. In the different Scouting leadership positions you have held, do you feel that you did your best at all times to make that job operate the best that you could? If not, what would you do differently?

The Eagle Project...

32. Tell me a little about your Eagle Project.

33. Did you have any difficulty planning your project? How did you chose your project?

34. How did you demonstrate Leadership during your project?

35. What problems did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?

36. What help did you require in completing your project?

37. What suggestions do you have for other eagle candidates looking to start the Eagle Project process?

The Big Picture...

38. What do you consider to be the purpose of the merit badge program?

39. Do you think Scouting has more positive points, or negative points? Why?

40. What is your most memorable Scouting experience?

41. Have you ever felt that any one person (youth or adult) epitomized leadership? What made this person such a strong role model for leadership?

42. If you could send one message to every Scout, what would it be?

43. If for any reason this Board were not to pass you today, what would you do? Assuming you pass, where will you go from here?

** Do you have any questions or concerns of us your board? **

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Last Updated Thursday, 30-Jul-2009 12:43:50 MDT