Ranks:
The Boy Scout program utilizes seven ranks, Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle.  Each of these ranks has specific requirements which can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook.

Requirements:
As requirements are completed, the Scout must have the requirement signed off by the Scoutmaster, one of the Assistant Scoutmasters, or an authorized leader.  It is not acceptable that a Scout's parent sign off any of his requirements.

Scoutmaster Conference:
Once all of the "activity" requirements are signed off, the Scout must have a Scoutmaster conference.  For Scout through First Class ranks, any Assistant Scoutmaster may conduct the Scoutmaster Conference.  For Star through Eagle ranks, only the Scoutmaster may conduct it.

Board of Review:
Once all but the last requirement is complete, the Scout must request a Board of Review from the Troop Committee Advancement Chair.  The Scout will be informed which night he should be prepared for his review.  The Scout must attend in full, Class A uniform (Scout shirt, pants, belt, sock, neckerchief, slide, and merit badge sash for First Class and above).  If the uniform is not complete, the Scout must request another Board of Review.  See the information about Boards of Review for more details about this process.

Court of Honor:
The final step is being recognized at a Court of Honor.  While we try to give rank insignia to the Scout the night he completes a Board of Review, it may be held until the next Court of Honor.  See the information about Courts of Honor for more details.

Excerpt from "A Guide to Conducting Boards of Review" by Ray Klaus of Saddleback District, Orange County Council.

Purpose of a Board of Review:

The members of a Board of Review should have the following objectives in mind:

• To make sure the Scout has completed the requirements for the rank.
• To see how good an experience the Scout is having in the unit.
• To encourage the Scout to progress further.

Additionally, the Board of Review provides "quality control" on advancement within the unit, it provides an opportunity for the Scout to develop and practice those skills needed in a interview situation, and it is an opportunity for the Scout to review his accomplishments.

The Board of Review is NOT a retest; the Scout has already been tested on the skills and
activities required for the rank. However, the chairman of the Board of Review should ensure that all the requirements have been "signed off" in the Scout's handbook. Additionally, the chairman should ensure that leadership and merit badge records are consistent with the requirements for the rank.

The Board of Review is an opportunity to review of the Scout's attitudes, accomplishments
and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals.

Recognition is a critical part of advancement.  Courts of Honor are conducted to recognize the achievements of each Scout with regard to Rank, Merit Badges, and any other award received in connection with Scouting.  Our troop conducts a Court of Honor at three different times each year.  The first is in the Spring, generally in April.  The second Court of Honor is usually held outdoors after summer camp.  The third Court of Honor is held in December and is usually combined with a holiday party.

During a Court of Honor, Scouts will be awarded their rank insignia (if not previously presented), the rank card, and a pin for his mother to wear.

Merit badges are likewise awarded during Courts of Honor.  The Scout is presented with the badge itself and the blue card for him to keep in his records.  The blue card is the official evidence of the Scout's achievement and should be kept safe.

Excerpt from meritbadge.org: 

Merit Badges are the second main area of the Boy Scout advancement program. Unlike ranks, there is a degree of choice in the merit badge program. A sub-group of merit badges are known as Eagle required merit badges. To earn Eagle Scout, most of these badges must be earned although some are "either/or" badges. The remainder of the badges help with earning ranks as well as Eagle Palms after the Eagle Scout award has been earned.

Here is the process in our troop:

• The Scout requests a blue card from the Scoutmaster
• The Scout fills out the card and returns it to the Scoutmaster, requesting a counselor
• The counselor is assigned, added to blue card, and the card is returned to the Scout
• The Scout contacts the counselor to work on merit badge
• The counselor completes and signs the blue card
• The Scout delivers the blue card to the Scoutmaster
• The Scoutmaster gives the blue card to the Advancement Chair of the Troop Committee
• The Scout is recognized at the next Court of Honor

For 2010 only, BSA has authorized four historical merit badges.  Details from BSA can be found on their site.

All first-year Scouts should attend Summer Camp at Camp Grimes with the troop.  They will participate in a program known as Trailblazers, where they will work on many of the skills needed to complete Scout, Tenderfoot and some Second Class requirements.  They will also work on their Tote'n'Chip and Firem'nChit.

Trailblazer participants will have a chance to take the Swimming merit badge while at camp, and it is highly recommended that they do so.  This is the best time to get this one done, which will open the door to many other water-based activities.

Summer camp is a great time to earn merit badges.  During the registration process each Scout picks merit badges.  The Scout's parents/family/friends should advise him in these choices.  Younger Scouts can afford to take "fun" merit badges, but as Scouts get older, they should consider including some "Eagle" merit badges.

If your son is preparing for camp, consider his maturity and personality when advising him.  Summer camp should be fun and rewardinig.  Taking too many merit badges, or too many hard ones can take the fun out of the experience.