Some of you appear to be standing guard
at the gate. Like good guards you are
not letting anyone pass who does not have the correct password. When someone
appears at the gate who does not have the correct
password, you send them away. The
treasure that you believe you are guarding is the SACRED ADVANCEMENT
REQUIREMENTS. You believe that you must
guard the gate to make sure that no boy advances who has not only met the
requirements but who has not met the requirements 110%. Your watchword is, “We’ve gotten soft on the
Boy Scout advancement.”
The problem is that you have gotten your
orders wrong. You are guarding the wrong
side of the gate. The treasure is not
behind the gate but in front of it. The
treasure is the character of the boys in our care. Your duty is not to prevent boys from passing
through but to make sure as many boys as possible do pass through. Advancement
is a method, a tool if you will, that we use in Scouting. It is not an end in itself. The purpose of the advancement system is to
build a boy’s confidence and self-esteem. A boy learns something new, he is
tested in that skill, he is reviewed, and he is given advancement. Whenever possible the test should be a
natural part of the unit’s program. For
example, if the requirement is to cook a meal, the test should come when it's
time to eat at a regular unit outing.
Remember that we are not authorized to either add to or subtract from
any requirement. The review is to be a reflection on a boy’s experience in
Scouting, not a retest. The advancement
recognition must come as soon after the review as possible. Some of you may
have heard that advancement recognition can only be received once. I assure you that is
not true. Recognition can be made times and as often as possible. Advancement
is to be positive reinforcement for a boy’s achievements. If done properly it will encourage a boy
toward even more advancement and toward greater confidence in himself. So stand
clear of the gate. Guard it no more.
Gather the boys in your unit and lead them through the gate. The world will be a better place tomorrow.