Scouting for all in the Boy Scouts of America

During 2018 & 2019 programs of the Boy Scouts of America have been opened wider to incorporate the entire family at all levels of program.

Packs at the Cub Scout level (ages 5-10) may operate as either:

  • A Pack of all boy Dens (dens are discreet groups organized by school grade level)
  • A Pack of all girl Dens
  • A Pack of boy dens and girl Dens (gender specific groups at each grade level)

Troops at the Scouts BSA level (ages 11-18) may operate as either:

  • A Troop of all boy Patrols (patrols are groups of multi-age youth who elect their own patrol leader) or
  • A Troop of all girl Patrols

Troops of all girls and Troops of all boys, with the same Chartered Organization, may be "linked" to one another and share the same Troop Committee, meeting space, and other Troop resources, but must each have their own Scoutmaster. Scouts BSA Troops of girls must have at least one registered adult female leader present at all meeting and activities. 

Venture Crews, Exploring Posts and Seas Scouts for ages 13-20 are the only CO-ED programs of the Boy Scouts of America and may be organized as:

  • A Venture Crew of boys and/or girls ages 13-20 and completed the 8th grade 
  • An Explorer Post of boys and/or girls ages 14-20 
  • A Sea Scout Ship of boys and/or girls ages 14-20 is a specialized program with maritime focus

Providing a Scouting Program in Every Community at all interest levels

Not every community, church, school, or organization has a Scouting pack, troop, or crew associated with it. Effective February 1, 2019 Scouts BSA Troops for girls are allowed, and all will need to be organized as new troops, throughout the geography of our Council, to accommodate girls interested in joining.  Starting a new unit is the best way to bring Scouting to YOUR community. With a willing group of volunteers and interested youth, it's easy to get Scouting started near you. Our New Unit Onboarding Handbook can be used to assist with creating a new Pack, Troop or Crew. 

HOW SCOUTING UNITS ARE ORGANIZED

Every Scouting unit requires adult leaders, youth, and a chartering organization. First the chartering organization agrees to adopt the Scouting program. Then you must recruit and train the leaders. Once you have trained leaders ready to start, recruit the youth. From there you can plan your program year, complete the paperwork, and hold your first meeting.

WHAT IS A CHARTERING ORGANIZATION?

A chartering organization, such as a church, school, concerned citizen's group, agrees to work with the specific pack, troop, or crew. They'll provide meeting space, help find and approve adult leaders, and appoint an individual as the Chartered Organization Representative. This representative works as a liaison between the organization and the Scout group.

Any organization can be a chartering organization and there are no special qualifications. The chartering organization falls under the insurance of the Boy Scouts of America.

WHAT LEADERS ARE NEEDED?

There are different leader requirements for different types of Scouting units. All units must have a Chartered Organization Representative. If a single organization sponsors more than one unit (like a Pack and a Troop), that representative must be the same person for both units.

For a Pack you need:

  • Cubmaster (plan and lead the monthly pack meeting, keeping the kids and families engaged and excited)
  • Committee Chair (lead behind the scenes administrative tasks and support efforts to run the pack)
  • Chartered Organization Representative (act as a liaison between the pack and chartering organization)
  • Two Committee Members (work with the committee chair to run the pack in roles like treasurer or secretary)
  • Den Leader (plan and lead the den meetings for one age group, helping the boys earn advancements)

Not required but recommended: Assistant Cubmaster(s), Assistant Den Leader(s), additional committee members

For a Troop you need:

  • Scoutmaster (support and guide the youth leadership as they plan and lead the troop meetings)
  • Committee Chair (lead behind the scenes administrative tasks and support efforts to run the troop)
  • Chartered Organization Representative (act as a liaison between the troop and chartering organization)
  • Two Committee Members (work with the committee chair to run the troop in roles like treasurer or secretary)

Not required but recommended: Assistant Scoutmaster(s), additional committee members. Linked troops of boys and girls may share a chartered organization representative and committee but must each have their own Scoutmaster. 

For a Crew you need:

  • Advisor (support and guide the youth leadership as they plan and lead the crew meetings)
  • Committee Chair (lead behind the scenes administrative tasks and support efforts to run the crew)
  • Chartered Organization Representative (act as a liaison between the crew and chartering organization)
  • Two Committee Members (work with the committee chair to run the crew in roles like treasurer or secretary)

Not required but recommended: Associate Advisor(s), additional committee members