ADVANCEMENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to advance in Scouting, boys need to participate in Troop activities. The general requirements for each type of activity are listed below. 
  
Service Hours: Service hours are those which reflect voluntary service to church, community or school. They do not include hours spent on Scout projects except for Eagle Scout Projects. We will consider crediting hours spent outside of formal Troop activities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Scoutmaster for approval. Please remember that hours spent on school or church projects will not count if you are receiving some other type of credit for those hours from your school or church, or if they are performed as part of a position you hold in school or church. For example, hours spent as an acolyte or altar boy do not count; neither do hours which are required as part of a classroom project. 
  
Troop Participation: Every Scout is required to participate in as many Troop activities as practical. These include fund raisers such as Snow-Cone sales, candy sales, or popcorn sales, manning the Scout Expo merit badge booth, or participating in the annual Rose Bowl District Camporee. Participation in such activities is taken in account in determining "Scout Spirit”. Part of Scouting is being active in and supporting the Troop and its activities. That's part of what Scout Spirit is all about, and the Scoutmaster must attest to your Scout Spirit before you can advance to any rank.

Specific Activities: Specific participation is required in order to earn certain merit badges or awards. For example, you must have at least 21 nights of camping with the Troop in order to earn the Camping merit badge. There are also specific camping requirements for membership in the Order of the Arrow. There are also a number of High Adventure patches that can be earned for participating in specific backpacking trips.