Scouts BSA Board of Review Failure

Thoughts about Board of Review Failure

The journey to rank advancement in Scouts BSA is an exciting and rewarding experience for young scouts. As they progress through the ranks, they face challenges, learn valuable skills, and develop leadership qualities.

Usually a BOR is not conducted until all of the requirements have been completed. However, it is possible that a scout may request a board of review before the requirements have been met.

In a case where there is concern that the requirements for a rank as written have not been fulfilled, it is appropriate to advise the Scout that he or she might not pass the board and to make suggestions about what might be done to improve the chances for success. It is, however, the Scout’s decision to go ahead with a board of review or not.

Guide to Advancement

It is important to remember that a Board of Review is not an exam. It is an opportunity to interact with the Scout and learn about the Scouting journey, especially the journey within the unit. The goal is to develop personally. This is more important than learning specific skills.

Though one reason for a board of review is to help ensure the Scout did what was supposed to have been done to meet the requirements, it shall become neither a retest or “examination,” nor a challenge of the Scout’s knowledge.
In most cases it should, instead, be a celebration of accomplishment. Remember, it is more about the journey.

Guide to Advancement

During a Board of Review for rank advancement in Scouts BSA, the board members may ask the scout where they learned their skills, who taught them, and what they gained from completing specific requirements. The answers help the board understand what the scout did to earn their rank. They also discuss how the scout follows the Scout Oath and Scout Law in different parts of their life, like at home, school, in the scouting unit, and the community.

It’s important to know that while scouts are expected to do their best, they don’t need to be perfect. What matters most is that the scout has a positive attitude, believes in Scouting’s values, and tries to do their best in their daily life.

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