Because you are cool enough to be a member of this site...you get first dibs on "hot off the presses" information:

The National Youth Protection Committee recommended additions to Boy Scout rank requirements that were approved and will become effective January 1, 2008. These changes will help us advance the importance of Youth Protection training beyond the initial Boy Scout joining requirements, and keep youth informed and actively engaged in understanding the key elements of personal safety and protection.

Tenderfoot Rank
Revised requirement 9:
Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Describe what a bully is and how you should respond to one.

Second Class Rank
New requirement 8b:
Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.

First Class Rank
New requirement 12:
Describe the three things you should avoid doing related to use of the Internet. Describe a cyberbully and how you should respond to one.

The changes will be represented in the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book and the revised ninth printing of the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.

Thanks Marc!

Do you happen to know when the 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook will be available? Hopefully, prior to crossover in Feb.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Scouters and their families!

Hi BE,

The current edition of the Boy Scout Handbook is the eleventh edition. I'm still using my hard back copy of the eleventh edition, third printing, bought in 1998. I made a pencil change for the swimming requirements that changed in 2002.

However, the "ninth printing" of that edition will contain these new advancement requirements, as will the 2008 Boy Scout Requirements book.

I'll try to find out when the BSA Supply Division expects to have the ninth printing available, but it's been my experience that they are reluctant to put out any new publication until the previous version or printing's stock have been exhausted.

I also would like to have the new printing available for crossing the bridge ceremonies coming up in the next few months. But our troop is still working on some sort of an insert we can add to the Handbooks of our current Scouts to help them remember the requirements. We're also reminding our Assistant Scoutmaster's and putting out the information through our Patrol Leader's Council.

Hope this helps,
Frank McVeigh
Council Advancement Chair