The Second Rank in Scouts BSA: Earning the Tenderfoot Rank
You have earned the rank of Scout, so now it is time to move onto Tenderfoot!
As stated in the 14th Edition Handbook, the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks go over skills needed while camping, cooking, hiking. These ranks also touch base on navigation, outdoor ethics, first aid, fitness, citizenship, leadership, nature, tools, and aquatics – so safe to say a lot of skill work and content gets covered in these ranks! As a general guideline, it should be a goal to complete these ranks within 12-18 months. Note that some of the work in the requirements for these three ranks overlap, so you might be accomplishing requirements for all three at the same time (this would be a great place to reference section 4.2.3.6 of the Guide to Advancement: Fulfilling More Than One Requirement With A Single Activity), but you must actually earn each rank in order. (Scouting America, 2019, p. 27)
The second rank you can earn in Scouts BSA is the “Tenderfoot” rank. This rank starts the dive into skill work. You will begin to learn about how to be a successful, reliable, and self-reliant Scout that people can count on to know their way around the outdoors and turn to for other important life skills. In short, this is the beginning to the three ranks where you learn foundational practices that you will later build upon so you can be a strong leader.
To earn the rank of Tenderfoot, you will need to demonstrate Scout spirit by:
- Living the Scout Oath and Scout Law
- Tell how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law
- Tell how you have lived your duty to God in your everyday life.
(Scouts BSA Handbook, 14th Edition, p. 10)
For this rank, in addition to participating in a Scoutmaster conference (for more information on that, check out our first blog on this topic, going over the rank of Scout!), you will also need to successfully complete a board of review.
More formal than the Scoutmaster Conference (which is more of a goal-setting and pulse check meeting), the board of review makes sure you’ve completed the rank requirements and is another place for you to share about your Scouting experience. It is designed to be a celebration of accomplishment, not a re-test! “Board members may ask where skills were learned by the Scout, who the Scout’s teachers were, and what was gained from fulfilling selected requirement.” (Boards of Review: An Overview for All Ranks, 2019)
Think of the board of review as a job interview – not a one-on-one interview, but a panel interview. A board of review should last between 15 and 30 minutes, and should be made up of three to six committee members. With the slight up-tick in formality and the option for pass/not pass being on the table, this meeting can seem daunting. Keep in mind that this is all about personal growth! It is an opportunity to learn to speak to a variety of adults in a powerful way, and perfection is not expected - just bring your positive Scout spirit! Remember, this is the time and place to think about how you present yourself to make a good impression. Do your best to arrive on time and in your field uniform!
Every single opportunity to have a board of review is a chance to gain experience in a professional setting. As you move up and through the ranks, you can implement what you have learned from previous boards of review. By the time you finish with Scouts BSA, you will be able to bring these confidence and interview skills into the next chapter of your life!
One of the things I love about this process, is the emphasis on just that: the process. Each time a rank is earned, it is an opportunity to implement new skills, from how to lead fellow Scouts to how to plan and execute meetings and trips!
This journey is through Scouts BSA is all yours and unique to you! Steeped in tradition, you have the ability to learn, grow, and implement these skills and life lessons for yourself! From all of us at Scout Shop, know that we are rooting for you and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish! Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments on our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
Happy Scouting!
