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Your Scoutmaster conference and board of review

What happens at each, how to get ready, questions they might ask you, and questions you can ask them. It's a conversation, not a test.

For youth, families · Scouts BSA · 6 min read

What they are, and what they aren't

Every rank ends with two conversations. First, a Scoutmaster conference: you sit down with your Scoutmaster (or an assistant they choose) to talk about how things are going. Then, a board of review: a short meeting with three to six adults, usually from your troop committee. Your Scoutmaster and your own parents don't sit on your board.

Neither one is a test. Nobody will ask you to tie knots again or recite the first-aid steps for a burn. Your requirements are already signed off. These talks are about you: what you've learned, what you enjoy, what's been hard, and where you want to go next. The adults also use them to find out whether the troop is working well for Scouts like you.

When to ask for your conference

You don't have to wait until everything is signed off to talk with your Scoutmaster. Many Scouts have their conference near the end of a rank, but it can happen while you're still working. Just ask.

How to get ready

  1. Check your record

    Know which requirements are signed off and which are left. Bring your handbook or a printout of your record.

  2. Think of real stories

    Pick two or three moments from the last few months: a campout where something went wrong and your patrol fixed it, a time you helped a newer Scout, a skill you finally got. Stories are much easier to talk about than general answers.

  3. Pick a few Scout Law points

    Think about how you've lived two or three points of the Scout Law at home, at school, or in the troop. Specific beats perfect. "I was helpful when I stayed late to clean the meeting room" is a great answer.

  4. Wear your uniform

    Wear your uniform as neatly as you can. If you don't have every piece, that's fine. Nobody will hold it against you.

  5. Bring one question

    Come with at least one thing you want to ask. It shows you're thinking ahead, and it makes the talk feel like what it is: a conversation.

Conferences and boards happen where other people can see you, like a corner of the meeting room or a room with an open door, following Scouting's youth safety rules. Parents usually wait nearby. It's your conversation.

Questions they might ask you

There are no trick questions. These are the kinds of things adults often ask. You don't need memorized answers, just honest ones.

Questions they might ask you

  • What's your favorite thing you've done in Scouting since your last rank?
  • Tell us about a time something didn't go as planned on a campout. What did you do?
  • Which point of the Scout Law is easiest for you to live, and which is hardest?
  • How do you show Scout spirit outside of troop meetings?
  • What would you change about our troop if you could?
  • What are you working on next, and how can we help?

If you don't know what to say, it's okay to pause and think, or to say, "Can I think about that for a second?" Adults respect that.

Questions you can ask them

Questions to ask

  • What do you think I should work on to be ready for my next rank?
  • Is there a troop job or leadership position you think I'd be good at?
  • Which merit badges have other Scouts enjoyed at my stage?
  • What did you get out of Scouting, or what do you enjoy about helping with it now?
  • Is there a way I could help younger Scouts more?

After the board

Most boards end with the adults asking you to step out for a minute, then calling you back to congratulate you. Your new rank is effective that day. You'll receive the badge, often again in front of family and friends at a court of honor.

Once in a while, a board decides a Scout isn't ready yet. If that happens, they'll tell you why and what to work on, and you can come back. It's not a punishment, and it doesn't erase what you've done. Talk with your Scoutmaster about next steps.

Ask yourself afterward

  • What did I say that I was proud of, and what do I wish I'd said?
  • What advice did they give me that I want to act on this month?
  • What will I talk about at my next conference that I haven't done yet?

A note on the Eagle board

The Eagle board of review works the same way, but it's often longer and may include adults from your district or council. Before it, you'll submit a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a list of the leadership positions you've held and honors you've received, in Scouting and beyond. Read The trail to Eagle for more, and ask your Scoutmaster how your council schedules Eagle boards.

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