Advancing to First Class Remotely
As you read requirements for ranks, you'll notice specific action words like Show, Demonstrate, Tell or Explain. In general, if the requirement says to Demonstrate or Show, the scout needs to learn and demonstrate a specific skill. These requirements are well suited to video - either recorded in advance and sent or in a video conference. Tell and Explain requirements can also be done in a video conference but also may work as written submissions via email.
The following lists requirements that are well-suited for scouts to work on at home with their parents or in an organized "virtual campout" setting.
We'll update this page as we develop more ideas and guidance!
Requirement You Can Do at Home with Help from Your Parents
Scout
Requirements 4 - Study these skills in your Handbook or online videos. Practice them then either demonstrate them at a meeting or have your parent video tape you completing the requirement.
4a. Show how to tie a square knot, two half-hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used.
4b. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope
6 - With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parents Guide" and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade. Have your Parent submit confirmation of completion on the online advancement form.
Tenderfoot
FIRST AID AND NATURE
4d. Assemble a personal first-aid kit to carry with you on future campouts and hikes. [HINT: Your handbook gives you ideas of what to include] Tell how each item in the kit would be used. [You may video this and share or share in a video conference]
FITNESS
6a. Record your best in the following tests:
• Pushups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
• Sit-ups or curl-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
• Back-saver sit-and-reach ________ (Record the distance stretched)
• 1 mile walk/run ________ (Record the time)
6b. Develop and describe a plan for improvement in each of the activities listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a. Keep track of your activity for at least 30 days. [Hint: This must be recorded in writing so you can show it to your advancement advisor]
6c. Show improvement (of any degree) in each activity listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a after practicing for 30 days.
• Pushups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
• Situps or curl-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
• Back-saver sit-and-reach ________ (Record the distance stretched)
• 1 mile walk/run ________ (Record the time)
CITIZENSHIP: Requirement #7 - Participate in a total of one hour of service in one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout slogan and Scout motto.
Here’s a list of some service projects scouts can do while maintaining social distance:
- Prepare and distribute thank you cards for people still providing services in the community (i.e. fire fighters, police officers, postal carries, grocery clerks)
- Assist in yard work for members of the community or businesses that need a hand
- Help walk the dogs of neighbors unable to do so themselves.
- Take part in a litter cleanup project
- Pick up trash at the chartered organization before or after a meeting (not just the trash you left — check out the entire facility)
- Clean and refill bird feeders for a neighbor unable to do so themselves
- Construct duck houses, owl boxes or birdhouses (with parent assistance)
- Plant trees
Second Class
First Aid and Nature
Requirement #4: Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of wild animals (such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, or mollusks) found in your local area or camping location. You may show evidence by tracks, signs, or photographs you have taken. [collect photos and add to a word or google document with descriptions. Share this document with a leader]
Fitness
7a: After completing Tenderfoot requirement 6c, be physically active at least 30 minutes each day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities. [Write and submit the record]
7b. Share your challenges and successes in completing Second Class requirement 7a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your daily life and develop a plan for doing so. [Write and submit the plan]
Finances
8c. With your parents or guardian, decide on an amount of money that you would like to earn, based on the cost of a specific item you would like to purchase. Develop a written plan to earn the amount agreed upon and follow that plan; it is acceptable to make changes to your plan along the way. Discuss any changes made to your original plan and whether you met your goal. [Write and submit the plan]
8d. At a minimum of three locations, compare the cost of the item for which you are saving to determine the best place to purchase it. After completing Second Class requirement 8c, decide if you will use the amount that you earned as originally intended, save all or part of it, or use it for another purpose.
Citizenship
8e. Participate in two hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. [See ideas above for Tenderfoot]
First Class
5a. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your local area or campsite location. You may show evidence by identifying fallen leaves or fallen fruit that you find in the field, or as part of a collection you have made, or by photographs you have taken.
Scouts Can Do the Following On an Approved Virtual Campout
During social distancing we will have a Troop campout and schedule several activities we can share in a group video conference. For each of these activities, we suggest recording the "Present, Show, Demonstrate, Prepare" requirements and then share them with a leader when you do the "Tell and Explain" requirements.
Tenderfoot
CAMPING AND OUTDOOR ETHICS
1a. Present yourself to your leader prepared for an overnight camping trip. Show the personal and camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it. [You can do this on your virtual campout and share on video]
1b. Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch. [Share your tent on video with the troop]
1c. Tell how you practiced the Outdoor Code on a campout or outing. [After the campout, write this in an email, submit to the advancement form or meet online with a leader to talk about it]
COOKING
2a. On the campout, assist in preparing one of the meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup. [Share on video while cooking up. This can be recorded and shared with a leader later as well.]
2b. While on a campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve, and eat a meal. [Share on video while cleaning up. This can be recorded and shared.]
2c. Explain the importance of eating together as a patrol. [After the campout, write this in an email or meet online with a leader]
Second Class
Camping
1a. Since joining Scouts BSA, participate in five separate troop/patrol activities, at least three of which must be held outdoors. Of the outdoor activities, at least two must include overnight camping. These activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect, such as a lean-to, snow cave, or tepee.
1c. On one of these campouts, select a location for your patrol site and recommend it to your patrol leader, senior patrol leader, or troop guide. Explain what factors you should consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
Cooking
2e. On one campout, plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch, selecting foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Demonstrate how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
First Class
COOKING
[2a, 2b and 2c are done BEFORE the virtual campout. All or part of 2d is performed during the campout]
2a. Help plan a menu for one of the above campouts that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner and that requires cooking at least two of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model and how it meets nutritional needs for the planned activity or campout.
2b. Using the menu planned in First Class requirement 2a, make a list showing a budget and the food amounts needed to feed three or more youth. Secure the ingredients.
2c. Show which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
2d. Demonstrate the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food products. Show how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic containers, and other rubbish.
2e. On one campout, serve as cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.