TRAIL to First Class

The Scout to First Class program is a first year program of Scout Rank Required activities designed to help all new Scouts advance from the rank of Scout, which is what a youth is when they register, through Tenderfoot and Second Class Rank, and finally to earn their First Class Rank. Scouts BSA recommends this path not only to keep Scouts engaged in scouting but to build confidence in their abilities to move forward with leadership both within the Troop and within the community.

The order in which the Scout completes these activities is important in developing the First Class Scout. As you will read in the Scouts BSA Rank Requirements, the Rank of Scout has the most basic of requirements and may be worked on simultaneously with Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. These are the only ranks in which this can be done and it is important to note that while a Scout may work on the requirements simultaneously they must earn each rank in order.

The Trail to First Class program does not include earning merit badges, however, working on and possibly earning the Citizenship in Society, Citizenship in Community, Camping, Cooking, Physical Fitness, and First Aid Merit Badges will help a Scout fulfill many of the rank requirements needed to advance in these ranks.

In addition to assisting with earning up to the First Class Rank, the Star Scout Rank requires six merit badges with four of them being Eagle Required merit badges. All six merit badges noted above are eagle required and will help jumpstart any Scout in earning their Star Scout Rank!

Scout Rank

Welcome to Scouting! The first rank advancement that you will earn in Scouts BSA is the Scout Rank. This rank requires the Scout to read their Scout Handbook and become familiar with the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Motto and Slogan along with the outdoor code. This rank is designed to help new Scouts understand what is expected of them as a Scout and what the program stands for. In the newer editions of the Scout Handbook, the pages are referenced for each requirement for all ranks. The new Scout will also be required to earn their Cyber Chip Award for their grade level and then renew it each year that they remain in Scouting. This rank can be met without any outdoor activities, and only requires attendance at one regular meeting. For the official requirements to achieve the Rank of Scout click here.

Tenderfoot

The second rank advancement a Scout will earn in Scouts BSA is the Tenderfoot Rank. The Tenderfoot Rank requirements will include, at minimum, one campout and demonstrations of what the Scout has learned from the Scout Handbook. This rank helps prepare Scouts for leadership within the Troop and the outdoor events and adventures that are yet to come! Click here for the official requirements needed to achieve the rank of Tenderfoot.

Second Class

The rank of Second Class, delves deeper into the core of scouting. This rank introduces Scouts to first aid, cooking, citizenship and patriotism while also building on the outdoor experience with aquatics, outdoor and personal safety, and physical fitness. It is also during this rank that the aforementioned merit badges can help propel the Scout though to First Class. Click here to learn more about the official requirements needed to achieve the rank of Second Class.

First Class

As a First Class Scout, Scouts will have all the basic tools and knowledge to take with them on a journey to the rank of Eagle. As a Scout works on their First Class Rank, they will develop more leadership skills in addition to their outdoor, first aid, and community skills and knowledge. It is at this rank that a Scout will most likely begin to take on positions of responsibility within the Troop. To learn more about the official requirements to achieve the rank of First Class click here.

On June 24, 2022, Scouts BSA released a statement that included new, minor modifications to the Scouts BSA requirements for the ranks of Scout through Star. These requirements were set to go into effect on August 1, 2022 with the exception of the new requirement of an additional Eagle Required Badge (Citizenship in Society) that was to take effect on July 1, 2022. Finally, new videos were created to support “Personal Safety Awareness” (chapter 13) of the Scouts BSA Handbook. These can be used as an alternative to earning the Cyber Chip.

For more information on the new modifications please click here.

For more information and to access the personal safety videos please click here