Royal Rangers Programs Update 2012 Revised October 2012 Prepared by John Hicks National Programs Coordinator

2012 Program Updates Requirement Changes New Bible Merit System New Buffalo Awards New GMA Capstone Project Non-uniform Award Recognition Items TRaCclub Content Updates New Handbooks & Resource Books New format for RR-GPH Catalog Points of the RR Emblem Updated A number of significant changes to the program were released in 2012.

Requirement Changes New Member Requirements (DR Handbook p68)* New requirements for annual awards (DR Handbook p68-70)* Leadership Merits from other groups may now be counted for advancement (DR Handbook p68-70)* Advancement Restrictions (DR Handbook p71)* *Details can be found in AR and ER handbooks as well. For simplicity, only the DR Handbook is referenced here.

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 DR Handbook 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”

Buffalo Awards Earned after the completion of the highest award in each age group (See DR Handbook p71) –Bronze Buffalos – Discovery Rangers –Silver Buffalos – Adventure Rangers –Gold Buffalos – Expedition Rangers Worn on the medal or ribbon representing that highest award

GMA Capstone Project Use of FIRE Institute for the Capstone Project has been discontinued Details of the new project format can be found on the national RR web site at… advancement/adventure/ NOTE: The service project is no longer a part of the GMA process, effective Jan-2013

Non-Uniform Recognition Alternative methods of award recognition are now available for groups utilizing non-standard Royal Rangers uniforms –Neck Medallions –Commemorative Coins –Hat Pins Purchase restrictions still apply. See RR-GPH catalog edition for details.

TRaCclub Content Updates Orange Bible Merits – complete by Spring 2013 Skill Merit Updates & New Merit Development – in process Leadership Merits DR Meeting Guide Updates – completed AR Meeting Guide Updates – complete by Spring 2013 Spanish Leader Manual – release Spring 2013

Print Materials Boys Handbooks & Leader Manual –NEW Discovery, Adventure, Expedition Rangers Handbooks are available NOW! –Revised Ranger Kids Handbook – release Spring 2013 (no changes to the RK program) –Revised Leader Manual – release Spring 2013 NEW Resource Books!!! –A Guys Journey to Manhood – available NOW! –A Guys Journey to Servant Leadership – coming soon!

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 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 handbooks and both resource books

Other Updates GPH Catalog –Now includes 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 (we will forward as needed) Points of the Emblem Updates (DR Handbook p8) –To align with AG standards established by the Executive Presbytery

Key Point to Remember The 2002 Advancement System is no longer valid after Dec Beginning Jan-2013, all advancement awards must follow the 2010/2012 advancement system as described in the 2012 handbooks.

Questions Visit RoyalRangers.com and select “Contact Us” under the CONNECT menu.