Now that you've joined, your first goal should be to acquire the Scout badge. Although the Scout badge is NOT a rank, you need to earn it in order to gain ranks. The requirements are very simple, and as follows:

1. Meet age requirements. Be a boy who has completed the fifth grade and is 10 years old, or is 11 years old, or has earned the Arrow of Light Award but is under 18 years old.

2. Complete a Boy Scout application and health history signed by your parent or guardian.

3. Find a Scout troop near your home.

4. Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.

5. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake.

6. Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot).

7. Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, Motto, and Outdoor Code.

8. Describe the Scout badge.

9. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.

10. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

Well, you've already met the age requirements, so you can go ahead and check that one off. So now you need to have your parent fill out a Boy Scout Application, which they will receive the first meeting you come. You've already found a Scout troop, so you can check that one off too!

 

Requirement 4 is to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. You probably say this everyday at school, and we say it every week at the Boy Scout Meetings. It is:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
     of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
     one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.

 

Requirement 5 is to Demonstrate the Scout Sign, Salute, and Handshake. We'll start with the sign.

The Scout sign shows you are a Scout. Give it each time you recite the Scout Oath and Law. When a Scout or Scouter raises the Scout sign, all Scouts should make the sign too, and come to silent attention.

The Scout sign is very much like the Cub Scout sign, only with 3 fingers close together instead of 2 fingers spread apart. To give the Scout sign, cover the nail of the little finger of you right hand with your right thumb, then raise your right arm, bent in a 90-degree angle, and hold the three middle fingers of your hand upward. Those fingers stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath. Your thumb and pinky touch to represent the bond that unites Scouts throughout the world.

 

Salute

The Scout salute shows respect. Use it to salute the flag of the United States of America. You may also salute a Scout leader or another Scout.

Give the Scout salute by forming the Scout sign with your right hand, and then bringing that hand upward until your forefinger touches the brim of your hat or the arch of your right eyebrow. The palm of your hand should NOT show!

 

Handshake

Our Scout handshake are ancient signs of bravery and respect. In ancient times, to shake hands with the left hand meant that you would have to drop your shield and your protection to do it. The left hand is also closer to the heart.

The Scout handshake is just like a normal handshake, except that you are using your left hand instead of the right. Do NOT interlock little fingers, unless shaking hands with a person from the Order of the Arrow.

 

Requirement 6 is to demonstrate a square knot.

This knot is used to join two ropes/bandages together. It is very simple.

"Right over left - left over right"

 

 

Requirement 7 is to understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, Motto, and Outdoor Code.

You don't have to memorize them yet, although it would be a good idea if you started to. But anyway, here they are.

Scout Oath or Promise	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, and 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.

 

 

Requirement 8 is to describe the Scout badge.

 

Shape:

The three-point design of the top half is like the north point of an old sailor's compass. This shows that a Scout is able to point the right way in life as truly as the compass pointes it in the field.

Three Points:

The three points of the trefoil are like the three fingers used in the Scout sign. They stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath: duty to God & Country, duty to other; duty to yourself.

Eagle and Shield:

The eagle and shield, national emblem of the US, stand for freedom and a Scout's readiness to defend that freedom.

Two Stars:

The two stars stand for truth and knowledge (I know, it would sound a lot cooler if it were for truth and justice, but it isn't...) of the Scouting movement. They guide you by night and suggest a Scout's outdoor life.

Scroll:

The scroll is turned up at the ends to remind us that a Scout smiles as he does his duty. The Scout motto is printed across the scroll.

Knot:

The knot attached to the bottom of the scroll represents the Scout slogan, Do a Good Turn Daily because earlier, when scouting was created, you would tie a knot in your hankerchief or scout scarf and when you have done your good turn, you would untie it.

 

Requirement 9 asks you to complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide with your parent or gaurdian. This pamphlet can be found inside your Boy Scout Handbook.

 

Requirement 10 is to complete a Scoutmaster's Conference. Congrats! You've completed all but one joining requirement. Now all you have to do is go talk to Mr. T to have your Scoutmaster's Conference. Here, the Scoutmaster will ask you a few questions, including goals for the future. After that, he will hand you your Scout badge! CONGRATS!!!

But you are far from done with your journey in Scouting, in fact, the journey has just begun...

Good luck!

Next task: Earning your first rank, Tenderfoot.