The Ranks of Boy Scouting

Tenderfoot

Tenderfoot is the first rank achieved in Boy Scouting. You must know the Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan and have displayed the knowledge of basic scouting abilities. Among the requirements are basic camping skills, basic knots and basic first aid skills.

Second Class

To achieve the Second Class rank you must show further abilities in scouting. You must show that you have learned more advanced skills in camping and first aid. You must show that you can properly use and navigate with a compass. You must also achieve a certain level of swimming ability. A minimum of 1 hour service is required.

First Class

First Class is the third level of rank in Boy Scouts. To achieve this rank you must again increase your skills in camping, knots, first aid and orienteering. Your level of swimming skills also increases.

Star

At this stage in Boy Scouts you begin on the trail to Eagle. The first step in this is the rank of Star. To achieve Star you must earn 6 merit badges, 4 of which must be Eagle required badges. A minimum of 6 hours must be spent on service projects. You must also serve for 4 months in one or more positions of responsibility within the troop.

Life

The next step in the trail to eagle is Life. You must earn 5 more merit badges, 3 of which must be Eagle required. Your service project hours must be a minimum of 6 and you must actively serve in a position of responsibility for 6 months.

Eagle

The highest rank in scouting is Eagle. To achieve this rank you must have a total of 21 merit badges, 12 of which must be Eagle required. You must serve in a position of responsibility for 6 months. As a final service project you must plan develop and lead a project that will be helpful to a religious institution, school or your community. This project must be submitted and approved.