Youth Ages 10 - 18
What Scouts BSA is About
Scouts BSA is a year-round program for all youth ages 10-18 that develops ethical leaders through fun and adventure. Youth are “prepared for life” by planning, learning, revising, discovering, challenging, and serving. The Scouts BSA program has a proven record over the last 100 years of instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law and developing effective leaders through a series of games and outdoor adventures like camping, water sports, shooting sports, and community service. In Scouts BSA, youth go places, test themselves, and have one-of-a-kind adventures they choose and lead.
Formerly known as Boy Scouts, the program was renamed in 2019 when the program was opened for the first time to girls. Now, all youth are eligible to participate, share in the adventures, and earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Scouts BSA Works
Scouts BSA is the leading youth leadership program which cultivates an interest in learning, citizenship, cooperation, and a sense of adventure. Scouts BSA youth do better in school and learn leadership skills that last a lifetime. Scouts learn to become ethical leaders through adventure and by serving their community as part of a Patrol, Troop, or Eagle Scout service project.
Experiences that Fit the Individual Scout
Scouts BSA is led by the youth. Each youth decides which experiences to participate in, as well as how far and how fast they want to advance through the program. This flexible scheduling works well around other activities like school, sports, clubs, and work. Scouts that love camping and hiking will find many high adventure camps that offer experiences and memories to last a lifetime. Scouts that prefer STEM will find dozens of merit badges offering everything from robotics to nuclear science, engineering, and more! Scouts looking for real-world career experience can try merit badges in health care, veterinary medicine, aviation, and journalism to name a few. There is truly something for every Scout to explore their interests
Learning through Adventures
In Scouts BSA, youth take responsibility for the fun activities of the Troop. By planning and organizing activities, they develop transferable life skills like responsibility, communication, management, teamwork, and service, along with many others like cooking, first aid, citizenship, and finance. There are over 130 merit badges covering various academic interests, hobbies, and careers for youth to experience.
Youth will have the opportunity to camp at Rainbow Scout Reservation in Morris, IL where there are many opportunities like boating, shooting sports, and climbing. Youth seeking further adventure may book a trek at one of four BSA National High Adventure Bases.
Grow Character and Leadership Skills
Scouts BSA is a youth leadership development program designed to teach life skills through unique, hands-on fun. Scouting develops character, citizenship, responsibility, healthy living, and servant leadership. Youth increase their sense of self-worth and appreciation for their community and environment. Through activities, youth learn to work together, plan, and develop into leaders. Scouts BSA is designed to impart life skills, leadership skills, and the importance living by the Scout Law. A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
Scouts BSA is Safe
Scouting America designed Scouts BSA to follow the guidelines of S.A.F.E. programming. We require adult volunteers to submit to extensive background checks, be Youth Protection certified every two years, follow program guidelines, and be position trained. This ensures our youth are in the hands of competent, caring adults who are prepared to guide them on this journey. Volunteers are also equipped with resources to offer fun learning opportunities in a safe and accessible manner.
More Frequently Asked Questions
How is Scouts BSA organized?
Scouts BSA is for all youth ages 10-18 who come together and form a Troop. Each Troop is divided into patrols of 6-8 scouts, and each patrol is empowered to organize and plan Troop activities, events, and adventures as members of the Patrol Leaders’ Council. In this way, youth take charge of all aspects of planning and learn valuable leadership skills like research, logistics, time management, delegation, communication, and much more. Youth hold leadership positions within the Troop, and those youth leaders are guided by adults. Each Troop has at least one Senior Patrol Leader and one Scoutmaster. But, there are many other leadership positions held by youth and adults. Led by the youth, the Troop will participate in many different adventures like climbing, camping, fishing, shooting sports, STEAM, and water sports depending on the interests of the youth members.
Troops are single-gendered which means all members identify as either male or female. Some Boy and Girl Troops are “linked” under the same Charter. Each linked Troop has its own Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster but may choose to meet on the same night at the same location and may share a Committee to oversee and support all youth from both Troops. Starting in 2024, Scouting America will also offer a pilot program to allow a handful of co-ed Troops
What is Scouting America’s commitment to safety?
Keeping our youth safe is our #1 priority.
Scouting America developed an extensive training program called Youth Protection Training, and every adult volunteer is required to complete the training and recertify every two years. Youth Protection Training was designed by industry experts in the field of child protection and has been adopted as a leading industry standard by which to keep kids safe. All adult volunteers are background checked, mandatory reporters and are required to be in the presence of another adult during any youth interaction.
Is there a Troop located near me?
Yes! Troops are chartered through local schools, religious affiliates, community service agencies and veterans’ groups so they are located close to youth in the community. To find a Troop nearby, visit www.BeAScout.org, enter a zip code, choose “Scouts BSA”, and a list of Troops near you, along with contact information, will be listed. Or, give us a call at (815) 942-4450. Additionally, you can complete this Contact Us Form with some quick information, and we’ll contact you!
Who forms the Troop leadership?
Youth take the primary role in leading the Troop, but adults serve as their guides and mentors. All Troop leaders are volunteers who serve in various roles. Some leaders, like Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, work directly with the youth while other leaders, like the Troop Committee, work to support the Troop in areas like equipment, rank advancement, finance, or activities. You can take an active role in the leadership development of our youth based on your time and skill set. Scouting is a family experience where adults and youth experience personal growth and personal memories fostered through fun, exciting opportunities. Everyone has talents and skills to share with youth. We encourage all to apply so we can develop the young people of today into the ethical leaders of tomorrow.
All adult volunteers must first pass a background check and Youth Protection Training to ensure your child can have a safe and exciting experience. Rainbow Council provides additional training and resources for adult leaders so they may safely and confidently deliver the Scouts BSA program to our youth.
What if my child participates in other activities, teams, or clubs?
We recognize Scouting is just one of many options for our youth today. With flexible scheduling, Scouts BSA is a program that works into the family’s lifestyle, and there is no penalty for not attending a meeting or event. Scouts BSA is youth-led and structured to fit into a busy lifestyle because each youth advances at their own pace. Time invested in Scouts BSA will be rewarded with life skills and memories of fun, exciting experiences unlike any other youth activity available.
How can my child join Scouts BSA?
Joining Scouts BSA is convenient and available 24 hours a day. To find a Troop near you, visit www.BeAScout.org, enter your zip code, select “Scouts BSA” and get immediate information about Troops near you. You can also call us at (815) 942-4450. Additionally, you can fill out our Contact Us Form with general information, and we’ll be in touch!