For guidance related to Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout advancement, Scouting America’s Guide to Advancement is generally the governing document. There you will find practices for knowing when a Cub Scout has met their requirement to “Do Your Best”; reminders for merit badge counselors. unit leaders, and boards of review; specifics for Venturing and Sea Scouts programs, and specifics for the Eagle Scout Board of Review and Eagle Scout Service Project. It contains information not only for leaders, but for scouts and their parents to become familiar with the practices shared by Scouting America and paths to submit appeals and reports where those practices are not being followed.
Still, within the Guide to Advancement there are mechanics needed for navigating and managing advancement. Where necessary, the Los Padres Council publishes guidance for this and shares with our local leaders. They are collected here for reference:
* Local policy for Eagle Scouts seeking reference letters for their Eagle Boards of Review (published March 2026)