Scouts BSA
Scouts BSA is a fun program for all youth 11-17 to grow in adventure, leadership and service. To join, visit www.beascout.org.
This page is run by volunteers on the Scouts BSA National Program Committee on behalf of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). ***This is the only official page for the Scouts BSA program run by volunteers from the Scouts BSA program committee.***
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 each rank. For the first time in its 100+ year history, the iconic program of the Boy Scouts of America is open to young women as well as young men, all of whom will have the chance to earn Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. In Scouts BSA, young men and women go places, test themselves, and have one-of-a-kind adventures that can’t be found anywhere else. To learn more visit www.scouting.org/scoutsbsa. To see Scouts BSA program updates please visit https://www.scouting.org/topics/program-updates/program-updates-scouts-bsa/
Digital Community Contract:
The views expressed by users/fans on this page are the sole responsibility of the user(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA is not responsible for the content of user posts or the content of any linked website, or any link contained in a linked website, or any changes or updates to such websites. The posting of a link does not imply endorsement by the BSA of the linked site or its contents. The BSA does not govern and is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites. The BSA encourages you to read and familiarize yourself with the privacy statements of any website that requests your personal information. This digital Scouting community is governed by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. We will delete any comment that we believe does not reflect the Scout Oath and Scout Law. This includes comments that use inappropriate language or are potentially libelous or injurious to the privacy of an individual or group. Users posting these comments will be banned from commenting on this site. Off-topic comments as well as those promoting unapproved products and services will also be removed. Users posting any comments, photos, videos, links or other items that fall into one or more of the congressionally mandated CyberTipline reporting categories of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (found here: http://www.missingkids.com/gethelpnow/cybertipline) will be reported to the proper law enforcement agencies.
10/03/2026
⚜️ SCOUTS BSA PROGRAM UPDATE: FIRST-EVER SPL SUMMIT!
📣 Senior Patrol Leaders — your voice matters!
Scouts BSA is holding its first-ever Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Summit on Sunday, October 25, 2026!
This national Zoom event will give SPLs and other designated youth representatives an opportunity to connect with Scouts from across the country and share their experiences directly with national leadership.
📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026
💻 Location: Zoom
⏰ 7:00–7:30 PM local time
Four identical sessions will be offered at 7:00 PM Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific, and participants may attend whichever session works best for their schedule.
💬 Why participate?
Scouts will have the opportunity to share what’s working in their troops, talk about what could be improved, hear what other troops are doing, and help shape the future of the Scouts BSA program.
👥 Who should attend?
Each troop’s Senior Patrol Leader or a designated Scout participant.
📧 Scoutmasters: Watch your email! A registration link will be emailed to each Scoutmaster approximately one month before the Summit to share with the troop’s SPL or youth delegate.
This is what youth-led Scouting is all about — giving Scouts a voice in the program they lead and experience every week.
⚜️ Mark your calendars for October 25!
10/02/2026
🎮⚜️ DID YOU KNOW?
Scouting America’s new Competitive Gaming merit badge is about much more than playing video games!
Scouts use gaming as a way to learn about:
⚖️ Balancing gaming, exercise, and sleep
🛡️ Online safety and digital citizenship
🤝 Teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship
💻 Gaming technology
💼 College and career opportunities in esports and gaming
Scouts even track their gaming, physical activity, and sleep for two weeks and develop a schedule that promotes a healthy balance.
As Scouting America’s Ryan Moon explains:
“The badge requires Scouts to examine how gaming fits into their lives. It doesn’t encourage them to do more of it.”
It’s another example of Scouting taking something young people already enjoy and turning it into an opportunity to learn, grow, and make responsible choices.
📖 Learn more:
https://onscouting.org/2026/08/25/theres-more-to-competitive-gaming-than-just-playing-videogames/
10/01/2026
🏕️ ARROW OF LIGHT SCOUTS CAMPING WITH SCOUTS BSA
Can Arrow of Light Scouts camp overnight with a Scouts BSA troop? Yes — but there are important guidelines.
⚜️ Arrow of Light Scouts may participate in a unit-coordinated campout with a Scouts BSA troop they are eligible to join.
🏕️ They attend as an Arrow of Light den/patrol, with two-deep leadership from their den/patrol or pack.
⚜️ Cub Scout camping requirements still apply, including having a BALOO-trained adult leader in attendance and following all Safeguarding Youth policies.
At a council-coordinated Scouts BSA camporee, Arrow of Light Scouts may participate with their den/patrol under appropriate leadership, or individually with a parent/legal guardian when the council provides the required leadership under applicable standards.
These opportunities are a great way to introduce Arrow of Light Scouts to the patrol method, outdoor adventure, and what awaits them in Scouts BSA!
⚜️ Developing today's youth to become tomorrow's leaders.
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss03/
09/30/2026
⚜️ TROOP RESPONSIBILITIES: WELCOMING ARROW OF LIGHT SCOUTS
The move from an Arrow of Light den to a Scouts BSA troop is a big step — and troops play an important role in making that transition welcoming and exciting!
🏕️ Invite Arrow of Light Scouts to troop meetings and campouts.
👨👩👧 Help parents understand the differences between Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA.
🔥 Let visiting Scouts experience patrol camping, cooking, and Scout skills.
📅 Share your troop's upcoming activities and summer camp information.
🤝 Get to know the Arrow of Light leaders and parents.
🌉 Work with the pack to plan a meaningful crossover ceremony.
Don't wait until crossover night to build the relationship. Start early, welcome the whole family, and show Arrow of Light Scouts the adventures waiting for them in Scouts BSA!
⚜️ Developing today's youth to become tomorrow's leaders.
https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/resources/recruitment-marketing/webelos-to-scouts-transition/
09/30/2026
📣 LAST CALL: Scouts BSA Advancement Survey!
The survey closes Thursday, October 1! The Advancement Committee is updating the Guide to Advancement and wants your input.
⏱️ Takes about 10 minutes
🔒 Responses are anonymous
⚜️ Your feedback can help shape future advancement guidance.
👉 Take the survey:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/bicGDjqg8L
09/29/2026
🏕️ CAN SCOUTING UNITS CAMP TOGETHER?
Yes! But there is an important distinction.
⚜️ Units chartered by the same organization may camp together without obtaining the council approval required for multi-unit camping involving different chartered organizations. Each unit must still provide appropriate adult leadership and follow all applicable Scouting policies.
⚜️ Units that do NOT share the same chartered organization must obtain local council approval before conducting a unit-coordinated overnight camping activity together.
Councils may have different procedures for requesting and documenting that approval, so always check with your local council before planning a multi-unit campout.
📚 Source: Scouting America, Guide to Safe Scouting – Camping:
“Local council approval is needed for unit-coordinated overnight camping activities involving other units not chartered by the same organization.”
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss03/
09/29/2026
⚜️ NEW FAMILIES JOIN SCOUTING. HOW DO WE HELP THEM STAY?
It starts with making sure they feel welcomed, connected, and that they belong.
Join Scouting America tomorrow, Tuesday, September 29, for a webinar:
🏕️ Welcoming and Belonging for New Families — Why & How
Choose from two live sessions:
🕕 6 PM ET | 5 CT | 4 MT | 3 PT
➡️https://scouting-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OLCedRdTQ5u52qSz8zswsw
🕗 8 PM ET | 7 CT | 6 MT | 5 PT
➡️ https://scouting-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KGuzrFN9SFCCeiAEAS-FUw
Hear practical, real-world ideas for welcoming and engaging new families from National Commissioner Devang Desai, national teams, and experienced Scouting volunteers.
This is for unit leaders, commissioners, membership volunteers—and anyone who wants new families to feel at home in Scouting.
⚜️ Everyone is welcome. Please share!
09/28/2026
🎣 Merit Badge Spotlight: Fishing Merit Badge
Parents, Scout leaders, and merit badge counselors—have you taken a closer look at the Fishing Merit Badge recently?
Fishing has long been a favorite Scouting activity, but this merit badge is about much more than catching fish. Scouts learn outdoor skills, conservation ethics, patience, and responsibility while gaining confidence in one of the world's oldest recreational pursuits.
Scouts working on this badge will:
🛟 Learn to identify hazards associated with fishing and understand how to prevent and respond to emergencies
🩹 Review first aid for common fishing injuries and outdoor concerns, including puncture wounds, insect bites, dehydration, hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, and sunburn
🪝 Demonstrate how to safely remove a barbed hook and discuss essential fishing safety practices
🎣 Explore different types of rods, reels, and fishing equipment, including how to use and maintain them properly
🪢 Master important fishing knots, including the improved clinch knot, Palomar knot, uni knot, uni-to-uni knot, and arbor knot
🐟 Identify artificial lures and natural baits and understand when and how each is used
🌿 Discuss Leave No Trace, the Outdoor Code, and the importance of protecting fishing resources through ethical practices such as catch and release
📖 Learn local fishing regulations and understand how they support conservation and sustainable fisheries
🤝 Explore sportsmanship, courtesy, and respect for property owners and fellow anglers
🎯 Catch and identify a fish using the skills they've developed
🍳 Clean and prepare a fish for cooking, gaining an appreciation for where food comes from and the responsibility that comes with harvesting natural resources
For adults, the Fishing Merit Badge provides an opportunity to pass along traditions, mentor Scouts in outdoor skills, and reinforce the values of stewardship and patience. Fishing teaches that success isn't always measured by the size of the catch—sometimes it's found in quiet moments, persistence, observation, and time spent together outdoors.
Whether a Scout becomes a lifelong angler or simply enjoys a weekend at the lake, the Fishing Merit Badge offers practical skills, memorable experiences, and lessons that extend far beyond the shoreline.
Learn more about the Fishing Merit Badge requirements and resources:
https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/fishing/
09/27/2026
⚜️ SCOUT LEADERS — WATCH FOR A MESSAGE FROM “JESS”! ⚜️
If you receive a text, email, or phone call soon from someone named “Jess,” don’t automatically assume it’s spam.
Scouting America is piloting Jess, a virtual AI membership engagement assistant, to help units update their BeAScout pins.
📍 Why is Jess contacting units?
Since August 3, 2026, BeAScout pins have included several new fields that units need to update. Jess may ask you a few quick questions about:
⚜️ Your unit’s meeting location
⚜️ Meeting days and times
⚜️ Unit fees
⚜️ What makes your unit special
The process should take about one minute, and your answers will be used to automatically update your BeAScout pin.
Why does this matter? When a family visits BeAScout looking for a Cub Scout pack, Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, or other Scouting opportunity, accurate information makes it easier for them to find and connect with your unit.
✅ Already updated the new fields on or after August 3? You should be all set.
💻 Prefer to update your pin yourself?
Visit: https://my.scouting.org/
📖 Need instructions for updating your BeAScout pin?
Visit: https://www.scouting.org/pin/
Please share this with your fellow unit leaders so they know to be on the lookout for Jess.
⚜️ An accurate BeAScout pin can help the next family looking for Scouting find YOU!
09/26/2026
We want to hear from you!
The Scouts BSA Advancement Committee is updating the Guide to Advancement, and what you and your team tell us now will guide national advancement policy. The Scouts BSA Advancement Survey is open, and we want to hear from professionals, volunteers, and families alike: Scout Executives, program and field staff, unit leaders, advancement chairs, merit badge counselors, commissioners, district and council advancement volunteers, and parents. This survey will close on October 1st, 2026.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/bicGDjqg8L
Scouting America Scouting America Membership Engagement Commissioners of Scouting America
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