Scouts BSA

Girls and Boys 11-17 years old

Scouts BSA is the traditional Scouting experience for youth in the fifth grade through high school. Service, community engagement, and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.

Scouting is pure fun and prepares you for life.

Scouts in Boy Troops and Girl Troops get together for adventures of a lifetime.

Here is a short video that answers lots of questions about being in a Scouts BSA troop.

Join us!

Is Scouting safe for my son and daughter?

We have very strict membership standards for all adults who participate in the program. See our pages on Scouting Safety, which includes the Guide to Safe Scouting, and Youth Protection.

Scouting America’s Commitment to Safety

In Scouting, we will not compromise the safety of our youth, volunteers, and employees. Safety is a value that must be taught and reinforced at every opportunity. We are all responsible and must hold each other accountable to provide a safe environment for all participants. We are committed to abuse prevention by utilizing:

Mandatory youth protection training.
Criminal background checks.
Banning one-on-one adult and youth interactions.
Mandatory reporting of suspected abuse to law enforcement.
A volunteer screening database.

We are committed to injury and illness prevention by integrating safety measures in our handbooks, literature, and training materials including the Guide to Safe Scouting. We expect leaders to use the four points of SAFE Scouting measures include:

Youth are Supervised by qualified and trustworthy adults who set the example for safety.
Activities are Assessed for risks.
Pre-requisite Fitness and Skill levels are confirmed before participation.
Appropriate Equipment is utilized, and Environmental conditions are monitored.

When incidents do occur, we expect a timely, clear, and complete incident report. We are committed to learning from the data and modifying program guidance for the prevention of future occurrence.

Click the following image to watch the Scouting is Safer Than Ever video.

Can I visit a unit before joining?

Absolutely. Every unit will be happy to show you around and let you see what they are about. You can find a unit near you by entering your zip code into the search bar on the Find a Unit Near You page. Units are open to new members year round, you do not have to wait for a Scouts BSA Troop to hold a formal recruiting drive. You can signup at anytime.

Can I attend with my son or daughter?

Of course. Talk to your child's Scoutmaster or Committee Chair. They will guide you into the best ways to be involved. Scouts BSA is different from Cub Scouts. In Cub Scouts it is all about the family experience, often parents are involved in every aspect from planning to the running of meetings. In Scouts BSA the focus is on the Boys and Girls involved in the Troop learning from themselves under the watchful eye of the Scoutmaster and his or her Assistant Scoutmasters. Parents are always needed to help the troop but do not work with the scouts directly. Because Scouts BSA youth camp may camp monthly, parents are needed to drive and often support the troop in other ways while there.

How can I help in my child's Scouts BSA experience?

Not Everyone Wears a Uniform

In Scouts BSA there are so many opportunities to volunteer. You want to get involved, but you’re not sure where to start. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started. Everyone has different skills and ways they can contribute to make the Scouts BSA experience meaningful. No matter how you want to get involved, thank you for making the first move to volunteer with the scouts.

Helping

Being helpful is part of the Scout Law, a value we seek to instill in everyone. The best way to help is not to wait until someone asks, but by providing assistance when you know someone needs it. Troops need drivers and more. Your Scoutmaster or Committee Chair can guide you.

Volunteering

Volunteering is another way you can get involved. Being a volunteer in the BSA means you have registered as an adult and have gone through an approval process.

Merit Badge Counselors

Scouts BSA needs adults with particular skills and hobbies to be merit badge counselors, there are 138 merit badges so there is lots of need. They range from nuclear science to welding, from first aid to search and rescue, from programming to plant science. Being a merit badge counselor is a great place to start. Often every registered adult in the troop counsels a merit badge or two.

Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee Members

Scouts BSA has two types of volunteers other then merit badge counselors, those who help the Scoutmaster with the program side, versus those who help the Committee Chair on the business side of the Troop.

Leading

Being a leader, such as Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Chair or Committee Member, means you are a registered volunteer that takes on a personal commitment to ensure that Scouting is being delivered in a safe manner, the way it was designed, and in a way that makes it meaningful to everyone involved. Leaders take training for their position.

Click here to learn more about being an adult volunteer in Scouts BSA.

How often do the scouts meet?

When and where the scouting unit meets is up to the unit. Some units meet weekly, others every other week. There is often a quarterly or monthly activity on the weekend. Once you pick a few units to look at you will see their meeting schedules. The unit leader should have a calendar for the upcoming months or year they can share with you once you contact them.

Is there someone I can call?

Yes, call the paid Scout professional in your area. Click here to find the Scouting professional in your area. .

Click here for Adult Volunteer Opportunities in Scouts BSA

I am ready to join

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