BOARD OF REVIEW

What is a “Board of Review” (from “The Scoutmaster Handbook”)

When a Scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, he appears before a board of review composed of members of the troop committee. Their purpose is not to retest the Scout, but to make sure he has met all requirements for the rank, and to chat with him for a while to learn how he feel’s he is doing with the Troop – and with Scouting.

The session gives the Scout a chance to bring up any questions or problems he may have, and a chance for the board to talk with him about such important matters as goals, Scout Spirit, and personal growth. And of course to congratulate, him on his progress and urge him to keep going. Or, if necessary, to frankly discuss with him his lack of progress, and to try to help him get back “on track”.

A further benefit of the board is the opportunity it gives a Scout to meet and talk face to face with the Adults he does not know very well. To an (11) year old, they may seem 10 feet tall, and primed with questions he will not be able to answer. Instead, he finds warm and friendly people who listen to what he says and only want to help him have a good experience with Scouting.

A wisely run board of review can itself reinforce this good experience and add even more to a Scout’s ability to communicate with adults.

At the end of his review, the Scout leaves the room while the board discusses his qualifications. He is then called back and told that he has qualified or what additional action he must take to qualify.

All boards of review save one are conducted by the Troop committee. The exception is the board of review for Eagle rank which requires the addition of a district or council representative or may be conducted on the district level.

A troop should schedule its board of review on a regular basis so that Scouts and leaders can plan for them well in advance. Scouts who are not advancing should be reviewed as well.

Typical Board of Review Questions

NOTE: 1. The Board of Review should ask questions from each of the “Methods of Scouting” categories listed below.

2. General questions regarding rank requirements, i.e. “What did you learn from requirement “xx”, can and should be asked. However, the Scout does not have to demonstrate or be re-tested for each requirement.

Applicable Scouting Method	Question
Adult Association	Do the Adult leaders set a good example?
Adult Association	Give an example of how you learned something from one of the Troop’s Adult leaders?
Advancement	What will be your most important goal as a (new rank) Scout?
Advancement	What new thing did you learn in your favorite merit badge?
Advancement	What are your plans for the rank of (new rank)?
Advancement	Describe the requirements for your next rank?
Advancement	Why do you feel you are ready for the next rank?
Ideals	What has Scouting given you that makes you feel proud?
Ideals	What is your favorite point in the Scout law an why?
Ideals	What do you think is the hardest point of the Scout law for a new Scout?
Ideals	What does “Trustworthy” mean to you? --(or substitute any of the other 11 points)
Ideals	What have you learned from Scouting about being a better citizen?
Ideals	What does the American flag mean to you?
Ideals	Describe the meaning of Scout Spirit?
Ideals	Why do you feel that Scouts are “put down” by their classmates?
Ideals	What is the Scout slogan and what does it mean to you?
Ideals	What is the Scout Motto and what does it mean to you?
Ideals	How do you do your Good Turn daily?
Ideals	Why did you join Scouting?
Leadership	What did you learn about leadership functions while working for this rank?
Leadership	What do you feel is the most important quality a (patrol leader, Scout leader, etc.) should have?
Leadership	What functions do the more experienced Scouts perform in your Troop?
Leadership	How would you improve the functions of the Junior Leaders?
Leadership	What position of leadership would you like to hold and why?
Leadership	What do you think is the job of the Senior Patrol Leader (or any other Jr. Leader position)
Leadership	What do you expect from your Senior Patrol Leader?
Other	What is the main attraction of your Troop or Patrol?
Other	What could you do to help handicapped Scouting in your community?
Other	How would you bring more Scouts into your Troop?
Other	Why do you come to Troop meetings?
Other	Why do you go to patrol meetings?
Other	What kind of question would you ask on a Board of Review for your present rank?
Outdoors	Why should the outdoor code be followed by all Americans?
Outdoors	What is your favorite outdoor activity that the Troop or Patrol does?
Outdoors	Why is it important to protect the environment?
Outdoors	What is you favorite part of a campfire?
Patrol Method	How would you improve your Troop or Patrol?
Patrol Method	Would you rather have a Scout teach you a knot or an adult teach you and why?
Patrol Method	What do you feel is the hardest thing for a new Scout to learn about the patrol method?
Personal Growth	How have you improved yourself since your last rank?
Personal Growth	What do you think you do to display Scout Spirit outside the Troop meeting?
Personal Growth	What new skills or confidence have you gained in the outdoors?
Personal Growth	What are some school activities that you could use Scouting in?
Personal Growth	How do you think Scouting has affected your academic standing in school?
Personal Growth	How would you try to give Scouting back what it gave you?
Personal Growth	How do you see yourself in the Scouting program after you become an adult?
Personal Growth	How do you fee the Scouting program has changed since you started in the program?
Personal Growth	What have you done in Scouting that will help you in the future?
Personal Growth	What are you most proud of that you have accomplished in Scouting?
Personal Growth	What is the most important thing in Scouting to you?
Personal Growth	What have you gained from Scouting?
Uniform	What does the Scout uniform mean to you?
Uniform	What do you feel is important about everybody being in the proper Scout uniform?

Note: The majority of these questions were prepared by the Golden Falcon 1987 Staff of Transatlantic Council and updated by Troop 103.