General Questions What is the age range for joining Scouts BSA? Youth can join Scouts BSA if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18. […]

PowerPoint Presentations—for group instruction or individual review Note expiration dates on all presentations. Check for updates at the appropriate time. Introduction to the Guide to Advancement This presentation provides further insight into one of the most critical publications produced by the BSA National Advancement Program Team. It is the official source for administering advancement in […]

June 16-22, 2024 The International Adventures in Scouting course at the Philmont Training Center is a wonderful opportunity to learn about international scouting programs and events, planning international trips to other countries for your unit or council, National Scouting Organizations (NSO) events, approvals needed by councils and the BSA International Committee, and much more! Did […]

Winter Camping Safety There is magic to camping in winter. It is one of the most challenging of outdoor adventures. The Boy Scouts of America operates the National Cold-Weather Camping Development Center at Northern Tier through the Okpik program. Special considerations for winter camping are: Qualified Supervision. It is vital that a leader be an […]

This section includes articles and discussions on issues of interest. The BSA provides this for your consideration, but does not warrant, nor endorse any products, techniques, or vendors referenced herein. Consider this as you would a camp maintenance magazine. Design Guidelines –  This library of guidelines is intended for use by Scouting rangers, volunteers, and […]

Climb On Safely is the Boy Scouts of America’s procedure for organizing BSA climbing/rappelling activities at a natural site or a specifically designed facility such as a climbing wall or tower. All unit-sponsored/planned climbing activities, regardless of where they are held, fall under Climb On Safely. This applies to a single unit or multiple units that […]

The International Scouter’s Award encourages Scouters to broaden their involvement in Scouting through participation in world Scouting activities and recognizes Scouters for their contributions to world Scouting. Requirements Applicants must be currently registered adult Scouters of the Boy Scouts of America. All applicants must receive the approval of their local council’s international committee chairperson or […]

This module is designed to help you explore the wonders of archaeology.   Choose either A, B, or C and complete ALL the requirements. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to archaeology. Then do the following: Make a list of at least two questions or ideas […]

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF VERSION OF THE GRAPHIC ABOVE. On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses towards a badge of rank based on their grade. They need not have earned the previous rank in order to earn the next.  Each of the ranks in Cub Scouting has its own requirements that are age appropriate, […]

Fiscal Management II (FM II) is designed for tenured accounting personnel and commissioned professionals who have attended Fiscal Management I (FM I). It is also appropriate for local council & area finance volunteers. This course includes breakout sessions and takes participants into a deeper understanding of the concepts learned in FM I. Participants will engage […]

SUMMARY Acute depression is often short-term, but it can be very severe and significantly interfere with an individual’s sleep, eating, activity level, and ability to engage effectively in school or work. Chronic depression may occur for at least two years and affect those same areas. The severity may not be to the degree that the […]

Rank Focus: Mentoring The Summit Rank represents Venturing’s highest honor. To achieve this ultimate recognition, you will serve the crew as a leader— both formally and informally— and you will be a mentor to others. In addition, you will strengthen your community be designing and leading a service project to benefit others. The experience gained […]

Adult Audience Only   SUMMARY On November 5, 2016, Jack Rose, an 11-year-old member of a local troop, was on an overnight backpacking trip with his father as well as with adult leaders and Scouts from his troop. The group was in the backcountry portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The unit camped at […]

Adult Audience Only   SUMMARY On Feb. 25, 2017, Austin Fruge, a 14-year-old senior patrol leader from Lake Charles, Louisiana, was with his troop traveling westbound on Interstate 10 to Garner State Park in Uvalde County, Texas. Just east of Columbus, Texas, their two vehicles pulled over onto the shoulder of I-10 to allow troop […]

Adult Audience Only   SUMMARY Over a seven-year period, a unit grew their annual shooting sports campout at a local gun range. Because of the large number of new shooters, an “impromptu” range was set up just to the side of one of the dedicated trap/skeet ranges. About 2 1/2 hours into the shotgun shooting […]

SUMMARY Bats, pack overnighters, hollow trees, geocaching, and histoplasmosis. I bet you are wondering what they have in common. In this case, 23 participants at a pack overnighter contracted histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus known as Histoplasmosis capsulatum, commonly found in soil enriched by bird and bat droppings. One of the activities […]

Transition from a New-Unit Commissioner to a Unit Commissioner After about 36 months—at the time of the third charter renewal—the unit Key 3 and the new-unit commissioner determine whether the unit is ready for a unit commissioner specializing in tenured units. Unit commissioners meet less often with their units and bring different perspectives based on […]

The Central Region Outdoor Program Support Committee (CROPS) is hosting two conferences in January 2021 focusing on all aspects of Outdoor Programs for all levels of Scouting – – Cubs, Scouts BSA and Venturing. We will be gathering members of the CROPS Team and other experts from around the country to share new and exciting […]

Adult Audience Only SUMMARY Tragedy struck our Scouting family on September 29, 2018. Twelve-year old Scout Gage Wilson was with his troop on a weekend outing at the North Point County Park in Van Buren County, Michigan. North Point County Park is a large series of sand dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Unfortunately, Gage […]

Adult Audience Only   SUMMARY Tragedy struck our Scouting family on Oct. 13, 2018, when Nolan Henderson, a 16-year-old Star Scout, was fatally injured while hiking and bouldering with his troop on Maiden Peak in the Cascade Range of central Oregon. An adult leader had started the hike with the youth. When younger youth wished […]

Five Scouts and Scouters in the Arbuckle Area Council were recently awarded their International Spirit Award. For Harry Miller District Chairman Barbara Wilson (left picture) and Troop 4 Scoutmaster John Paul Townsend (right) earning the award was a part of their Woodbadge work. Troop 4 scouts Harrison Townsend (second from left) and Kaegan Dunn (second […]

Over the last 20 months as our country has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, people have gone outside to experience outdoor recreation in record numbers. But not everyone has the time and resources to pack up and head out outside. How can the BSA part of solving this issue? These were the questions we began to […]

Overview A youth program between Keep America Beautiful Inc. and the BSA that recognizes outstanding efforts of Scouts in their communities in regard to citizenship and environmental improvement; provides way for Scouts to make significant contribution toward keeping America beautiful. Who Can Earn This Award? Earned by Scouts BSA members. How To Get the Award […]

Messengers of Peace Distinguished Project Award recognizes outstanding Scouting service to Local Communities [January 18, 2024] – The BSA International Committee is pleased to announce that Daniel Thomas (Eagle Scout, Troop 1905, Longhorn Council) and Mason Schlafer (Eagle Scout, Troop 1053, Michigan Crossroads Council) were chosen to receive the new Messengers of Peace Distinguished Project […]

What is NAYLE? National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience is an exciting program that enhances leadership skills and expands upon the team-building and ethical decision-making skills learned in National Youth Leadership Training. NAYLE emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and selfless service, using the core elements of NYLT to help youth strengthen these skills. The NAYLE course is now […]

Welcome to the Navigating Incidents Guide for Units, designed to equip you with the tools and steps necessary to respond effectively to unexpected situations. This guide serves as a roadmap, outlining the steps to take when faced with an incident while prioritizing safety and appropriate action. Step 1: Immediate Safety   Step 2: Grasp the […]

Do you enjoy camping under the stars, rafting a whitewater river, or hitting the trail afoot, on a bike, or even on a horse? Can you pitch a tent, find your way, and bandage an ankle using only materials in your pack? Are you prepared to do any of these in rain, snow, sleet, or […]

Back to: Marketing Awards 2022 Honorees The National Marketing Awards honors councils who have demonstrated marketing excellence in building and promoting the Scouting brand through: Fundraising, Membership Recruitment, Program Implementation, or Social/Digital Outreach. We celebrate the work of this year’s award-winning councils! FUNDRAISING Chattahoochee Council – Columbus, GA Circle Ten Council – Dallas, TX Gateway […]

The Summit has world class archery ranges and equipment for Scouts to learn and have fun with.