First Class Scout is a rank in the
Boy Scouts of America
Scouting America is the largest scouting organization and one of the largest List of youth organizations, youth organizations in the United States, with over 1 million youth, including nearly 200,000 female participants. Founded as the Boy Sco ...
, the rank above Second Class and below Star Scout. It is the highest of the lower four
ranks in Scouting, and is the minimum rank that need be attained for entry into the
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the honor society of Scouting America, composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Promise, Scout Oath and Scout Law, Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers. It was founded as a camp fr ...
.
Background
Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of
The Boy Scouts Association
The Scout Association is the largest organisation in the Scout Movement in the Scouting in the United Kingdom, United Kingdom. Following the rapid development of the Scouting, Scout Movement from 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 ...
and author of the 1908 handbook ''
Scouting for Boys
''Scouting for Boys: A handbook for instruction in good citizenship'' is a book on Boy Scout training, published in various editions since 1908. Early editions were written and illustrated by Robert Baden-Powell with later editions being exten ...
'', wanted a
First Class Scout to be the complete outdoorsman. Originally, First Class scout was the final and highest rank. Later ranks were originally recognitions of earning merit badges beyond First Class, and not properly ranks. Now these additional ranks form a second tier where Scouts can further develop leadership skills and explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program.
For a brief period in Scouting's history, prior to the introduction of
Eagle Scout, First Class Scout was the highest rank in the BSA; for several more years, it was the highest rank needed (until Star and Life became mandatory) for Eagle.
The number of Scouts achieving First Class within one year of joining is still one of the key measures of unit effectiveness. Studies have shown that if a Scout achieves First Class within a year of joining, he typically stays in the Scout program for at least three years. Scouts who do so are more likely to retain Scout values as an adult and achieve the BSA primary mission of "producing useful citizens".
The symbol of this rank combines the symbols of the previous ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class. The Scout symbol is from the Scout rank, the eagle with the shield is from Tenderfoot, and the scroll with "Be Prepared" comes from the Second Class Rank. Star Scout and Life Scout both add to this with a star and a heart, respectively.
Current requirements
Though Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class rank requirements can be worked on simultaneously, the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks must be earned in order.
See also
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Ranks in Scouts BSA
The advancement program for Scouts participating in the Scouts BSA program of Scouting America is symbolized by the earning of seven ranks. The advancement program is often considered to be divided into two phases. The first phase from joining ...
Bibliography
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References
{{Scouting
Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America