Scouts BSA Resources for a Great Program

Lion Tiger Wolf Bear Webelos AoL
Scout Tenderfoot 2nd Class 1st Class Star Life Eagle

Scouts BSA Resources for a Great Program

Youth may join Scouts BSA as a continuation of their scout trail from cub scouts - this is where the majority of Scouts come from. But, the age of 11 is a great time for a youth to begin scouting! The Scouts BSA program is a big change from cub scouting, the biggest change being that it is scout-led instead of adult-led. If you have youth crossing over from Webelos and joining a scout troop, challenge them to invite at least one non-scouting friend to join them. Since 3/4 of Scouting is 'outing', youth that didn't care for the crafts and projects of cub scouts may be interested in camping, hiking, and the outdoors that Scouts offers.

Scouts is for youth aged 11 through 17. When the 18th birthday is reached, they can no longer be a scout, but they can continue to support a troop in an adult leader role, or continue in a Venture Crew. As scouts grow in skill, they take on responsibility and move from being learners to being leaders.

How to Join:

Go to BeAScout.org
Click the 'Scouts BSA' tab.
Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
Click on a Troop near you to see its contact info so you can call the Troop or your local Council about joining.
Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Scoutmaster of the Troop you choose.

The Scouts BSA program has a Boy Scouts of America Organizational Structure that puts scouts into groups called Patrols with recommended size of from 6 to 8 scouts. Patrols of scouts in a community form a Troop which is part of a District. Districts combine to make a Council - see this page for organization details.

A new scout first earns the Scout badge showing that the youth has joined and is participating in the program. As the youth enjoys outings with a patrol and demonstrates an expanding skill base, the youth naturally gains the Tenderfoot rank, followed by Second Class and First Class ranks. At this point, a scout has learned skills enough to handle the outdoors and begin teaching new scouts. Once a First Class rank is reached, the scout continues up the trail by performing service deeds and earning merit badges in topics of interest or that the scout has decided to explore to reach a higher rank.

Summer Camp is the highlight of the year for many scouts. Our troop has attended Many Point Scout Camp every year since the troop was formed. Each year, scouts receive a camp patch and you can see them on my Many Point Scout Camp page.

These pages contain information for each specific rank:
Scout Info - basic scout knowledge
Tenderfoot Info - safety
Second Class Info - camping
First Class Info - self-sufficiency
Star Info - service
Life Info - leadership
Eagle Info - ultimate scouting

More Scouting Information to Use:
Merit Badges - requirements and aids
Scout Activities - great scout activity ideas
Scout Awards - see what awards are available to scouts
Scout Ceremonies - some ceremony ideas
Scout Games - patrol or troop games
Scout Graces - fun meal graces
Scout Jokes - funny, gross, and silly jokes for scouts
Scout Projects - community projects for Scouts BSA patrols or troops
Scout Recipes - tasty food recipes for scout camping
Scout Skits - skits that scouts like to do
Scout Songs - songs for scouts
Scout Stories - stories that scouts will enjoy and understand
Scout Uniform - make sure you put all those badges and patches in the right spots
Scout Tests - online tests for scouts to test their knowledge
Scout Schedule - sample schedule to reach First Class rank in 12-18 months
Eagle Scout Schedule - sample schedule to reach Eagle Scout

Comments:

Feb 26, 2014 - Julia Murray

Any leads on church bulletins w/the scout theme on the cover, to be used on Scout Sunday? Ours is March 9.

Feb 26, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@Julia - Sure, there should be some at your local scout shop. See ScoutStuff.org page

Dec 09, 2014 - Peter Larsen

I have a real problem. After 4 years of Cub Scouts, my son is now in a Boy Scout Troop. The Scoutmaster does not have any active patrols. He gets defensive and angry when the subject of patrols is brought up. He has publicly invited anyone who wants changes with which he is uncomfortable to leave the troop. My son took an oath to help other people. I was a boy scout. I can't just walk away. What are my options?

Dec 09, 2014 - Ian Stuart

@Peter Why would he not want patrols? Patrols are a key part of scouting, Troops are made of patrols. What are his reasons for not wanting patrols?

Dec 10, 2014 - Peter Larsen

Hey Ian. Scoutmaster's rationale is that different kids appear at any given Troop meeting, making Patrol cohesion hard to achieve. The weird thing is that most parents and scouts don't notice or mind.

Dec 10, 2014 - John

Some people like to do things the hard way and NOT use the patrol method, doing everything themselves. If you're not using the patrol method in Scouting, you're doing it wrong. Simple as that.

Dec 10, 2014 - Peter Larsen

Hey John, so what are my options? I have debated the Scoutmaster at length about having patrols in a recent parents' meeting. The Troop Committee Chair acknowledges the problem, but won't confront the Scoutmaster head-on. Any parent of a Life scout is walking on eggshells in this Troop.

Dec 10, 2014 - Scouter Paul

@Peter - Every document and publication from the BSA shows this scoutmaster is doing things wrong - scoutmaster handbook, scout handbook, scoutmaster training, ... It's hard to believe someone would choose this path if they have been through training. No one in scouting should be "walking on eggshells". You could contact the district executive or district commissioner to explain the situation, and ask if they could have the assigned unit commissioner help out. You could talk with your charter organization rep. You recognize that your son and the other scouts are not experiencing the Boy Scout program. They deserve better, but they won't get it without adult volunteers able to follow the program. Someone that acknowledges a problem and lets it remain is not living up to the Scout Oath and Law.

Dec 10, 2014 - Peter Larsen

Paul, Thanks for your help. It seems there has been a pattern of complaints, then complainer withdraws, then peace for a time in this Troop. I feel these boys are going to be cross when they find out later on what Scouting can be. "A Scout is brave" ...right?

Dec 10, 2014 - Joe

i agree with Paul, try every avenue you can. Be direct but make sure he knows you're doing out of love and want the unit to be better. If all else fails, as a last resort, you can always have him removed from his position. Not that it's ideal, though if someone has been a SM for years, there needs to be a change. However then you also face who will replace him. Good luck with your efforts! There are many resources around you though as Paul pointed out, both district and council. Though it sounds like he's just been in his position far too long and hasn't had the proper training that's required.

Dec 11, 2014 - Peter Larsen

Paul et al. Thank you all for the encouragement. I have initiated contact with the District Commissioner. I am sure he will say to "work it out" with the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee. This has happened with other parents who have done the same thing. Troop Committee in this Troop does not meet, ever.

Dec 28, 2014 - Peter Larsen

Hey All, Updating here. I have been in contact with the District Commissioner and the Unit Commissioner in my Council. They suggested I contact the chartering organization's contact person. I do not think that this issue would interest him. The Council has been very helpful to those among us who want to form a whole new troop. They will do a great job, but it's sad to break up one troop in two.

Jan 03, 2015 - Kira Oregon

I am the Advancement Chair for our troop and we are planning on meeting with Scouts that have not advanced in the past year. One of the Assistant Scoutmasters will also be in attendance. The purpose of this meeting is to find out what barriers the Scout is facing and help him create a plan for success. Has anyone done something like this before and/or have a form we can document the meeting on. I am planning on creating something but don't want to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to.

Jan 05, 2015 - Scouter Paul

@Kira - A scoutmaster should be talking with individual scouts often enough to recognize when advancement is not happening. A Scoutmaster Conference can be held specifically to discuss a scout's advancement goals - see this page. A Board of Review can be held to chat with scouts that are not advancing. See this page. I do hope the Scoutmaster is aware of, and supportive of, your plan. A Board of Review might be more useful since no scoutmaster staff would be present and scouts may open to discussing barriers in that area. It doesn't seem to me that a special form is needed since each scout conversation should be unique to that scout. If you have a list of canned questions, that sounds more like a survey you could just hand out to everyone.

May 17, 2015 - Jason Puckett

What should be done when the boys do not listen and constantly cause disruption. Three different senior patrol learders hae had the same problem. The boys constantly cause disruption and do not listen during partol and inner patrol. More time is spent on trying to control the boys and getting them to listen than getting stuff done and learning and several adults leaders keep the rest of the adults out of it stating "its boy lead, let them work it out". Please advise.

May 17, 2015 - Scouter Paul

@Jason - Your concern is common and is covered in most Troop Policy documents. See google results. Or, read this article. I've been very fortunate with scouts in my charge. I've discussed their behavior privately with them, and then asked them what should be expected from them. Every one has recognized his misbehavior and changed it. The scoutmaster's job is to train and support the youth leaders, not throw them out in the wild. When "working it out" isn't working, assistance from caring adults helps youth learn how to lead.

May 23, 2015 - Matthew Tyler

Tell them to stop or they will not be allowed to be patrol leader anymore.

Aug 11, 2016 - Acemom

Question- my son takes anti seizure meds at bedtime the Scoutmaster gave them 4hrs early for convenience told me it wasn't bothering him. He has staring seizures duh he's not going to show problems. Then my son has memory and slow thought process the scoutmaster said this was keeping his peers from electing him for leadership positions. I have shown where these are medical conditions. Today again the scoutmaster commented on him being disorganized and having trouble with locating and memory. Out of assistant, committee chair, advancements chair no one says anything except the scoutmaster. I have no idea who to contact. These are important he could have caused my son to have seizures and how can he control something that's medical with a school iep and weekly therapies. He buddies with the local council so now what? My son's nureologist has a fit when the pharmacy changes the brand she'd have someone's head with the time change. Need help we are a small area where they cover for each other and we are 5 merit badges from eagle.

Aug 11, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@Acemom - In your comment, I could decipher nothing that you are asking for help with. You only asked, "now what?" which has no meaning except that you seem frustrated.

If you want to ensure your son receives his medication correctly, then you should talk directly to his Scoutmaster about that. Or, your son can be responsible for his own medications. Or, you can be present at troop outings.

If you want to complain to someone about your son's Scoutmaster, then you could contact your son's troop's Chartered Organization Representative, or the BSA District Executive, or the Council Scout Executive.

If your son is only 5 merit badges away from earning his Eagle Rank, then it sounds like he has had some successful years in Boy Scouts and fulfilled the positions of responsibility required for the rank. And, it's way past time to change the reference from "WE are 5 merit badges from eagle" to "HE is 5 merit badges from eagle".

Sep 12, 2016 - SM Arnold

I am involved in a troop whose Assistant Scoutmasters are all leaving in November. It will just be me (new scoutmaster) and the chairman as the leadership. I am trying to recruit another parent to help but as usual meeting resistance. We have 5 scouts in the troop that are not Eagle Scout. The Eagles we have (8) on the unit roster no longer attend meetings. Their meetings are boring and like school so I don't blame them. I will be fixing that ASAP. However how can I get the Eagles help with the younger boys? I am an Eagle Scout myself so I am a bit miffed as to how this troop is run. They do nothing to experience scouting just work on rank and merit badges, and hardly anything on teamwork. Thanks.

Sep 13, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@Arnold - It sounds like you have a plan to get the troop back on the right track. Not knowing what that plan is, I hope it works.
The only way to get anyone to do anything is to make it worth their effort. I convinced some older scouts to get involved again by making a deal with them. One troop meeting, they did whatever was needed to help the younger scouts. The next meeting, an 'older scout' activity was held just for them. Back and forth for a few months. The activities were like rides in parent's sports cars, RC drones, laser lights, and other stuff that would be new and interesting.
There are lots of activities and games here that can help with teamwork and fun.

Sep 13, 2016 - SM Arnold

Thanks. I have been reading the activities on your website and they are awesome. Their meetings are just sitting down and working on a merit badge if they have one they need, otherwise they just stand around and talk. They don't do any activities so that is my starting point. They don't do anything to work as a team. I will be fixing that as well.

Jan 08, 2017 - David Jeffery

Troop 111 in 2016 transformed to being a Scout Led Troop program. 7 months into the transition and we are already seeing great results!
scoutingmagazine.org/2014/12/help-youth-leaders- build-scout-led-troop/

Jan 17, 2017 - Hitchhiker

Our troop is in the process of transitioning to being a scout-led troop. The first year was spent getting the framework for troop-- youth leaders learning how to lead. It worked fairly smoothly by the end. This year we are needing to deal with the walls-- accountability. What we found though is that without agreement in the direction of the troop, the foundation will start to crumble under the weight of a divided committee.

Jul 01, 2017 - Household6

Scouter Paul,
Reading @Acemom's request for help, I wonder if you missed the part wherein she mentions her son has some delays. Many things can be missed via internet postings, so perhaps you did not intend for your response to seem condescending?

There is help for Scouts with "special needs." Having a son with such needs (but likely less cumbersome than mentioned here) I am aware of it, but thankfully my son is in a Troop that's supportive. Perhaps a link to such resources would have been more helpful? I can offer nothing more than googling "special needs Scouting."

Please know that some children, as well as adults, sometimes do not have the ABILITY to be counted on to take their medication on time.

Could Mom entice the help of another Scout to ensure the medication is given on time? Perhaps offer a "reward" of some type? Is there an award for such in Scouts that Mom could put him in for?

I understand the comment Paul made about "we versus he." It's a hard thing to understand from the perspective of a parenting a neurotypical child. It's likely these parents are doing ALL they can to help their son achieve in life. This means more involvement by them - I'm willing to bet they pray every night their son can make it in the "real world" and allowing him to go away to camp was a big step for the Scout AND the parents.

Please, put yourself in the position of a parent whose child struggles EVERY.SINGLE.DAY, and consider being a bit less critical.

YIS, my best to you.

Jul 01, 2017 - Scouter Paul

@Household6 - I certainly did not intend to sound condescending.
I gave Acemom all the options I could think of to ensure her son receive his medications. Putting the burden of that need on another scout is not an option.
I also gave ways to seek help if she felt the scoutmaster was the problem.
Those were my best guesses about what might be helpful since no real question was asked.

Sep 12, 2017 - Scouter Loyd

The mother with the scout who has medical issues and medication I would like to say that my son had also had issues and the way we handled the problem is one of the leaders was given the job to make sure my son was given his meds at a certain time. My son condition slowed him in able to get merit badges but he was give an extension by the the scout office to go for his Eagle until he completes it. Well today is my sons Board of Review for Eagle and he is 22 years old. He has 36 merit badges,is the Junior Assistant Scout Master of his troop, and completed his Eagle Project in flying colors.
So if follow the trail we took and do the same for your son he will have plenty of time to get HIS Eagle but let him do it he will really feel like he accomplished a life goal.
Good luck and happy scouting.

Sep 12, 2017 - Scouter Loyd

To add something for Acemom the procedure to have your son extended is to get a letter from the scoutmaster stating that your son has a disability that requires extra help and time, a letter from his doctor with a discription of his disability, and a copy of his IEP. You them send all of this to the scout office requesting extra time pass the year 18 for your son to complete his Eagle.
I hope this will help.

Oct 16, 2017 - Ronald Ewald

I am a retired Eagle Scout and would like to donate some camping equipment. I have a 4/5 person canvas tent, backpack, coleman lantern, water jugs, cook kit, sleeping bag, large canvas camp bag, and odds and ends. If you are interested contact me at my email or call me at 421-2448.

Oct 16, 2017 - Scouter Paul

@Ronald - To contribute to local Scouting, you can find your local council's contact info at this page or find local troops at this page.
Scout On

Jun 26, 2020 - Lewis

Hello,
I am trying to find information on my old scout troop. back in 1979 we met at the LDS church at 228 W 19th Ave Mesa, Az and I thought my troop number was 57. Today, troop 253 shows up as being there.
How can I find information on whether I am confused or if my old troop was not actually 57, but instead 253??
Thanks.

Dec 16, 2020 - insert_username

@Lewis,

Do you still have your old uniform? If so and if I'm correct, there should be your Troop number on the sleeve that would be to your left while wearing it. This should help you figure out your old troop number.

Regards, insert_username

Jul 23, 2021 - Kristi Shafer

Trying to contact Troop 577 to ask for volunteers for Tacoma Relay for Life. That’s the troop my boys went through.

Or any local troop….date needed Aug 21st event is 6-10pm at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma.

Please help me get in contact! Thank you!

Aug 05, 2021 - Jane

@Kristi Shafer - Try going to:

beascout.org

Put in the zip code for the Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, click on Scouts BSA then click on "Find and Apply". This should give you contact information for troops close to the school.

I believe Troop 577 is located in Buckley.

Dec 07, 2022 - Sam

I am a life scout from troop 127 centennial Colorado my troop has lost its records of our early days where do you suggest I look. I have looked in our troopwebhost I know we Began before 1994 due to a flag banner

Dec 07, 2022 - Scouter Paul

@Sam - Best place to start is by contacting the Registrar of your local council. A few years ago, I was able to get a list of all members of our troop since its founding in the 1970s. If they don't have records, ask them where to try next. It looks like you are in the Greater Colorado Council.

Jun 13, 2023 - Caroline Culbertson

Hi! My dad has all of my grandfather's merit badges, books, and awards -- he doesn't want to donate them because it would lose the stories and meanings behind the badges. Does anyone know of a place where these resources can be archived and kept?

Mar 05, 2024 - Kelli Gilbertson

We have a scout who can not learn to swim. The scout is on the spectrum & has taken private swim lessons for years to no avail. The requirement to pass the BSA swim test has held-up his rank advancement for 2 years. What can we do?

Mar 15, 2024 - Scouter Paul

@Kelli - Reaching First Class rank means the scout has all the basic Scouting skills. Without an ability to safely be around and in water, the scout has not reached that level of skill. There are quite a few web pages about helping autistic people to swim, and some swim schools have programs just for this. See google page for swimming ideas for scouts with autism. Specific rank requirements can be altered by your council for individual scouts with physical or mental disabilities. See this PDF.

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