Advancement in Scouting is designed to achieve the following principles. Personal growth is the prime consideration in the advancement program. Scouting skills -- what a young person knows how to do -- are important, but they are not the most important aspect of advancement. Scouting's concern is the total growth of youth. This growth may be measured by how youth live the Scouting ideals, and how they do their part in their daily lives. Learning by doing. A Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturer may read about fire bulding or good citizenship. He may hear it discussed, and watch others in action, but he has not learned first aid until he has done it. Each youth progresses at his own rate. Advancement is not a competition among individual young people, but is an expression of their interest and participation in the program. Youth must be encouraged to advance steadily and set their own goals with guidance from their parents, guardians, or leaders. A badge is recognition of what a young person is able to do, not merely a reward for what he has done. The badge is proof of certain abilities, and is not just a reward for the completion of a task. Advancement encourages Scouting ideals. Scouting teaches a young person how to care for himself and help others. Advancement should reflect the desire to live the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturing Oath in his daily life. No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from advancement requirements. Suggestions for changes in requirements should be sent to the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturing committee, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.