Cracking the New Advancement System

Program Updates 2012

John HicksNational Programs Coordinator

Requirement Changes

• New Member Requirements (DRH p68)• New requirements for annual awards (DRH p68-70)• Leadership Merits from other groups may now be

counted for advancement (DRH p68-70)• Advancement Restrictions (DRH p71)

Refer to the new Discovery Rangers Handbook for details

New Bible Merit System• Each advancement step now requires (1) Bible merit

(rather than 2)• Each Bible merit now requires the completion of (8)

Bible lessons (rather than 5) – See DRH p66• The (8) lessons may now come from any Bible lesson

set within that color category• Up to (2) of the (8) lessons may be “alternatives” (66)

Buffalo Awards

• Earned after the highest award in each age group– Bronze Buffalos – Discovery Rangers– Silver Buffalos – Adventure Rangers– Gold Buffalos – Expedition Rangers

• Worn on the medal or ribbon representing that highest award

• See DRH p71

GMA Capstone Project

• Use of FIRE Institute for the Capstone Project will be discontinued

• Details are currently in development and will be released with the new Adventure Rangers Handbook

Non-Uniform Recognition

• Alternative methods of award recognition are now available for groups utilizing non-standard Royal Rangers uniforms

• Purchase restrictions still apply

TRaCclub Content Updates• Orange Bible Merits• Skill Merit Updates• New Skill Merits in Development• Leadership Merits• Meeting Guide Updates (DR & AR)• Spanish Curriculum

Print Materials• Boys Handbooks

– Discovery Rangers – available NOW!– Adventure & Expedition Rangers – available May/June– Ranger Kids – updated in 2010

• NEW Resource Books available soon!!!– A Guys Journey to Manhood– A Guys Journey to Servant Leadership

A Guys Journey to Manhood

• Based on “path to manhood” material used at NRMC

• Will tie into a revised version of the blue, green, and silver (new) Bible merits

• All groups will use the same book as a resource, but will cover varying degrees of content

A Guys Journey to Servant Leadership

• Includes all leadership distinctives for all leadership merits

• All groups will use the same book as a resource, but each group will refer to the materials for the merits they are studying

Boys will need access to all three books to complete their advancement trail

Bulk pricing is available on all handbooksand both resource books

Other Updates• GPH Catalog

– Will now include ALL Royal Rangers products, including restricted and training items

– Three categories of products, in terms of ordering process:• Unrestricted – available to anyone• Application Restricted• Contact us at RRawards@ag.org (we will forward as needed)

• Points of the Emblem Updates (DRH p8)

Questions