SCOUTS BSA
Youth 11-17 years old
Ready to Join?
What is Scouts BSA?
Scouts BSA is a year-round program for youth 11-17 years old that provides fun, adventure, learning, challenge, and responsibility to help them become the best version of themselves.
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.
Meet Mercedes Matlock
Hear her family’s Scouting story and learn why she’s so excited about Scouts BSA.
Play Video
Keep Up to Date with the Latest News
Stay informed on the latest updates and news about the Scouts BSA program by entering your information here.
Why Scouts BSA?
Scouting builds character and instills values for a lifetime.
Scouts BSA is an introduction to the great outdoors for boys and girls ages 11 through 17 and, most important, a lesson about their place in it.
Scouting builds leaders. Former Scouts serve on the boards of global corporations, walk the halls of the White House, and have been known to go hiking on the moon occasionally. Life lessons learned in Scouting will help all of its members make good decisions throughout life.
The Scout slogan is Do a Good Turn Daily. That means doing something to help others each day without expecting anything in return. It implies that Scouts do their part in caring for the community and the environment.
The Scout slogan is Do a Good Turn Daily. That means doing something to help others each day without expecting anything in return. It implies that Scouts do their part in caring for the community and the environment.
Why Scouts BSA?
Scouting builds character and instills values for a lifetime
Activities
In Scouts BSA, there’s something for everyone. With 137 different merit badges and countless other indoor and outdoor activities, there’s no limit to the things you can learn or the adventures you can take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using the same curriculum as the Boy Scouts program, Scouts BSA is scheduled to launch in February 2019, enabling all eligible youth ages 11-17, to earn the Eagle Scout rank. Scouts BSA will be single gender – all girl troops or all boy troops. This unique approach allows the organization to maintain the integrity of the single-gender model while also meeting the needs of today’s families.
The BSA’s decision to offer a program for older girls comes from input we have received from our Scouting families, as well as prospective Scouting families. We understand that families today are busier and more diverse than ever. In fact:
- Most are dual-earners.
- There are more single-parent households than in previous decades.
- Many underserved communities, including fastest-growing Hispanic and Asian communities, prefer to participate in activities as a family.
- And, all families have less free time. More than one-third of parents feel they spend too little free time with their kids, and millennial parents are desperate to spend more time interacting with their kids.
The BSA believes we owe it to families to structure our program offerings in a way that fits into their busy lives to deliver character development and values-based leadership training that Scouting promises.
The Scouts BSA program is not co-ed.
The leadership of the BSA determined that the best way to welcome girls and serve today’s families was to offer a unique model that builds on the proven benefits of our single-gender program, while also providing character and leadership opportunities for both boys and girls.
No. The Boy Scouts of America, in name and as an organization, has stood for character development and values-based leadership training for more than 108 years. It is, unequivocally, one of the most recognized, respected, and valuable brands on the planet. Therefore, while we have expanded the reach of our programs among today’s youth and their families, our name remains the same, and our brand will continue to be a source of pride that we will protect and foster as we look to extend the reach of our promise to more families.
No. Our existing programs are relevant for young men and women. After all, the values of Scouting as outlined in the Scout Law – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent – are relevant and important values for both young men and young women.
All uniforms continue to be reviewed and adjusted to meet participant needs. While the fit and styling may be a bit different, the uniforms will remain fundamentally the same.
Just as today, they will be called Scouts. For example, “I’m in Scouts BSA, so I am a Scout.”
Since all single-gender troops will run the same Scouting program, earn the same merit badges and achieve the same ranks, it became clear that there should be one program name.
Yes. All members of Scouts BSA will be eligible to earn merit badges.
Yes. Young women will have the opportunity to earn the Eagle Scout rank by meeting the same criteria and achievements as young men.
