MeritBadge.Net

We have a recent Eagle Scout with a strong desire to earn all the palms he can before he ages out. Due to holidays, a busy Scoutmaster, and his own life, he will have only a few days of flexibility to complete the requirements for his Silver Palm, have his Scoutmaster conference, and participate in a Board of Review before his birthday.

I know that it is okay to have an Eagle Board of Review after the 18th birthday, but can a Scout have a Palm Board of Review after his 18th birthday? The Advancement book makes it sound like he can.
"Scouts who have completed all requirements for a rank prior to their 18th birthday should submit their application and be reviewed and recognized within three months after that date." p 29 Advancement Committee Policy and Procedures 2002

Thanks for your guidance.

I don't believe you can. Pg 21 of the current #33088 says

Boy Scout awards are for young men not yet 18....Any registered Boy scout may earn these awards until his 18th birthday.

Paul Wolf's site says that the BOR can be held after the 18th birthday. But I don't see the reference for that anywhere.


Your quote deals solely for the Eagle BOR

While the USSSP reference cited above does not cite the rule, Paul is correct. Here it is...


Emphasis added. See: Eagle Scout Palm Application, No. 58-709

Thanks...I missed that one. You would think that the rule would be included in the ACPP and/or BSA Requirements Book.

Palms are not a rank, therefor are not advancements. That means that they must be earned prior to age 18, including the BoR. In My Opinion. Keep in mind that the palms were developed to keep boys active in Scouts until they turned 18 at which time they should (hopefully) roll over into an adult role at which time all youth insignia is removed from the uniform. The reasons that the Eagle BoR are allowed to be held after the 18th birthday are because that is the only BoR that normally does not take place in the Unit. Additionally, this is the only BoR that is dependant on people outside of the unit such as the application and records being submitted to council, verified, approved and sent to the DAC. In most Troops a boy can finish a lower rank requirement, hold an SMC and have a BoR all in the same night. A Palm is the same thing: Time, 5 Merit Badges, SMC, BoR. All things that can be arranged and prepared for.

Actually Palms are an advancement as you cannot earn one unless you have earned the previous advancement...e.g. you can't get a Bronze Palm unless you have advanced to Eagle and you can't earn a Gold Palm unless you have earned a Silver Palm. A Scout with a Silver Palm doesn't outrank one with a Gold although within their competitive spirit scouts like to say so.

The statement on the Palm application is pretty clear.

Also I guess a scout could have a Tenderfoot BOR after his 18th birthday if he completed all the requirements prior to it.

Yes, Eagle Palms are advancement, and yes, if all other requirements have been met, the BOR can be held after the 18th birthday.

Thank you.

http://www.scouting.org/about/factsheet ... couts.aspx -- Ranks are Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle. The highest advancement rank in Scouting is Eagle.

Palms are awards, not rank. Eagle with Bronze Palm is not an advancement. The Palm is an award. Eagle is the rank, whether there are no palms or ten palms.

Merit badges, badges of rank, and Eagle Palms may be earned by a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer. He may earn these awards until his 18th birthday. (Note that Eagle Palm is separate from badges of rank.)
[http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/eagle.aspx]

On his 18th BD a Scout is no longer a Youth in the Boy Scouts and Must fill out an adult application to stay in the Program.