[…] careful consideration and evaluation of feedback received from a wide variety of commenters on the draft requirements. Until further notice, all Scouts working on the Eagle Scout rank should continue to use current rank requirements. Once the Eagle-required Diversity, Equity and Inclusion merit badge is introduced, Scouts in the process of earning the rank […]

[…] working on a STEM Nova award prior to June 1, 2022.  What do they need to do before June 1st? A:  Nothing.  There is no change to requirements for the STEM Nova or Supernova awards. The only exception is if an older youth is working on the Dr. Albert Einstein Award the final approval […]

[…] complement our existing youth-protection measures. The Protect Yourself Rules videos replace the Cyber Chip requirement for the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light badges of rank.  For the rank advancement requirement, you do not need to earn the adventure.  If you do earn the adventure you have completed the rank requirement.  When […]

The current edition of the Scouts BSA Requirements book lists the official set of requirements for rank advancement and for each individual merit badge. However, updated merit badge requirements will sometimes be made available on Scouting.org before the Scouts BSA Requirements book is published. Scouts may use, or switch to, these updated requirements.

Dozens of universities, BSA local councils, and religious, civic, and military organizations offer college scholarships to Venturing Summit Rank recipients. Some scholarships are needs-based; others are merit-based. Some go to every Summit Rank recipient who applies; others are highly competitive. We have compiled a list of scholarships available to Summit Rank recipients and will […]

[…] purchased at Scout shop; not worn on uniform, but on front right side of swimsuit. Supply/BIN Item Number Patch, No. 132; pocket card, No. 34260 BSA Lifeguard Requirements To be trained as a BSA Lifeguard, you must successfully complete the course as outlined in the BSA Lifeguard Instructor Manual and demonstrate the ability to […]

[…] to Excellence” patch   Left sleeve: Council shoulder emblem, unit number Optional: Leadership position patch (example: president, treasurer, associate advisor), “Trained” patch Pockets and neck: World crest emblem Optional:  Knots, bars, Venturing Rank patches*, neckerchief, nameplate For formal occasions: Venturing rank/award medals, Venturing Leadership Award medal (with the colored side of the ribbon on the outside) You MUST conform to the following […]

[…] have created programs that are used by both boys and girls. Other religions have created programs for members of separate youth agencies. Please check the specific eligibility requirements for each religious emblems program. Do the youth have to belong to a religious institution? It depends on the religion. Please check the eligibility requirements for […]

[…] are strongly encouraged to use these safeguards outside the Scouting program. Registered leaders must follow these guidelines with all Scouting youth outside of Scouting activities.   Registration Requirements The chartered organization representative, or in their absence the executive officer of the chartered organization, must approve the registration of the unit’s adult leaders. Registration includes: […]

Unit Guides DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF These unit guides provide information and examples on how to conduct STEM Nova Award topics as part of your unit meeting.  

[…] judgment of a qualified pilot is vital to ensure the safe operation of a hot-air balloon. Tethered balloon events must comply with all FAA regulations and BSA requirements. The pilot-in-command is directly responsible for the safety of everyone involved, including the crew, passengers, and bystanders. Therefore, the pilot-in-command shall have full decision-making authority regarding […]

[…] industry, this Annual Health and Medical Record also serves as a tool that enables councils to operate day and resident camps and adhere to state and BSA requirements. The Boy Scouts of America Annual Health and Medical Record provides a standardized mechanism that can be used by members in all 50 states. For answers […]

Elective Adventures for All Ranks Of the 72 new elective Adventures, there are several that are available for all ranks. Several topics that are known to be activities that Cub Scout-age youth, both boys and girls, like to do or would like to do and were only available in one rank are now available […]

[…] merit badge requirements impractical? Can substitute requirements be created for those stated? If the requirements for a merit badge on the required list for the Eagle Scout rank vary among the Scouts BSA Handbook, the merit badge pamphlet, and the Scouts BSA Requirements book (current edition), which resource takes precedence? What are the religious […]

[…] various programs and adult volunteer service. Special recognition pins are available for benchmark periods such as each five and 10 years. Whittling Chip Beginning at the Bear rank (third grade), Cub Scouts may earn the Whittling Chip. This is a required training for Scouts in order to use and carry a pocketknife during Scouting […]

Rank Focus: Participation The adventure of participating with the crew unfolds, and each Venturer begins to discover his or her interests and talents. As the Discovery Rank recipients develop new skills and competencies, their eyes are opened, and the world expands for them. Requirements: Adventure 1.  Participate in at least two Tier II or […]

[…] specifically in support of refugees, please note that all foreign nationals living in the United States are welcome to participate in, register with, and/or transfer their international rank requirements to any eligible BSA program. This includes refugees, study abroad students, and international families working in the United States. See more about supporting “Foreign Nationals” […]

[…] provide you with the essential tools for effectively managing incidents within your Council. Included here are the BSA incident reporting expectations, a concise overview of additional reporting requirements, and detailed responses to frequently asked questions regarding general incident reporting or our dedicated incident reporting system, Riskonnect. Units are instructed to promptly report all incidents to their respective Councils. As a Council, part of your responsibility is to report these incidents into Riskonnect. Nevertheless, it’s essential to recognize that reporting to Riskonnect is just a component of the overall record-keeping process. Councils are also required to maintain internal records of said incidents. The following additional resources to support unit level incident reporting are available here.  Navigating Incidents: Guide for Units Incident Reporting: Gathering Information Resource: Incident Reporting Tools BSA Incident Reporting Expectations All incidents within the Council must be reported promptly according to updated BSA Incident Reporting Expectations. No incident is considered reported too late. Scout Executives are tasked with reporting all incidents into Riskonnect, assigning licenses within their Council, and ensuring thorough follow-up on reported incidents, including those submitted through the public portal. Further details on the updated Incident Reporting Requirements can be found in the provided resource.  Crisis Communications Support for Boy Scouts of America While a crisis may arise in a specific location, its repercussions can resonate across your council and the entire organization. That’s why swift action is crucial. When you become aware of a situation – even before the media gets involved – it’s essential to engage the BSA’s Crisis Communications support team immediately. You can reach support at PR@scouting.org. The PR team will respond promptly, equipping you with the necessary communication tools. Additional Council Reporting Expectations Incidents can occur during Scouting activities that require careful handling and reporting to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. Local Councils also have a responsibility to comply with various reporting requirements on a county, state, federal level. The following additional reporting requirements should be submitted alongside the BSA’s incident report into Riskonnect. Occupational Injury Reporting All employers are required to notify OSHA when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation, or the loss of an eye. An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss must be reported within 24 hours. *All fatalities must be reported within eight hours. To Make a Report: Call the nearest OSHA office. Call the OSHA 24-hour hotline at 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA). Be prepared to supply the following: the business name; names of employees affected; the location and time of the incident, a brief description of the incident; and the name and phone number of the contact person. US Coast Guard Required Reporting Federal law requires the operator or owner of a recreational vessel to file a boating accident report with the State reporting authority if the recreational vessel is involved in an accident that results in any of the following: A person dies. A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond “Scout rendered first aid.” A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury. Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000 (lower amounts in some states and territories). The boat is destroyed. This requirement is the same regardless of vessel makeup: sail, canoe, paddleboard, kayak, and powerboat. BSA Incident Reporting Portal: Riskonnect FAQ What is Riskonnect? Riskonnect is BSA’s comprehensive incident reporting system designed to empower the Boy Scouts of America with a robust tool for managing and reporting incidents. Which web browser is recommended for Incident Reporting to Riskonnect? We strongly recommend using the Google Chrome web browser for your incident reporting needs. What is the distinction between the private and public portals in incident reporting to Riskonnect? The private and public portals are two distinct channels for reporting incidents, each serving specific purposes within the incident reporting framework. The private portal is designed for internal use by the council. The Public Portal has been established for emergency use only. How many users can a council system administrator add for incident entry to Riskonnect? Every council has been provided with a total of 4 incident entry licenses. Who Manages the Council’s Incident Reporting Riskonnect Licenses? Each council’s designated system administrator possesses the authority and capability to oversee and regulate user access for incident entry within their specific council. As a Council MYBSA System Administrator, how do I assign the four the Council’s Incident Reporting Riskonnect License? Log in to MyBSA. Go to Administration > User Access > Access Within Pages. Find “Incident Reporting” and enable access. Allocate up to 4 users. Confirm and save changes. How can I find out who holds our council’s […]

[…] been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot through the Eagle Scout rank call for an increasing awareness and understanding of the natural sciences. Many former Scouts have become leaders in conserving   our environment […]

Effective January 1, 2023, there have been minor updates to 30 merit badges, including seven that are Eagle-required.  Scouts that had started under the former requirements may finish using those requirements, but any scouts starting work from now on need to use the updated requirements.  See https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/ for details of the changes. Follow link

[…] Cub Scout Awards.  Bobcat will no longer be a badge that is earned once when a Cub Scout joins.  It will become a required Adventure for each rank and earned each year.  The requirements for the Bobcat Adventure are different for each grade to make them age-appropriate. Cub Scout Adventures have been improved to […]

[…] Code of Conduct Poster Set – This set includes a poster to create your Den Code of Conduct, and a posters of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Rank Pocket Certificates – Used to recognize Cub Scouts when they complete their badge of rank.  Most packs provide this at Pack Meetings. Lion Rank Pocket Certificate   Tiger […]

Cub Scouts earn Adventures that are specific to their grade and rank.  A number of Adventures must be completed to earn the badge of rank for each grade level. Adventures may be earned in any order.  Completion of adventures is how the aims of character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness are developed. Download a […]

[…] will be district advancement volunteers that want advance information about your Scout. Module E provides detailed information for how a Scout with a disability can meet advancement requirements as they are written, how to develop alternative advancement requirements when the regular requirements are unreasonably difficult, and how to get formal approval for the exceptions.  […]

[…] in Cub Scouting. Webelos will only be for 4th grade Cub Scouts and Arrow of Light will no longer be associated with Webelos.  The Webelos badge of rank is earned by completing the six required Adventures and any two elective Adventures, there are 20 elective Webelos Adventures.  Webelos and Arrow of Light will no […]

Welcome to the Boy Scouts of America Incident Landing Page! At the Boy Scouts of America, the safety and well-being of our members are of paramount importance. We are dedicated to maintaining a secure environment where Scouts, leaders, and volunteers can engage in enriching Scouting experiences with confidence. By reporting an incident In Scouting, you play […]

[…] required? A. WFA training is required by the National Camp Standards for council high-adventure and backcountry camps, backcountry COPE and climbing, and by our national high-adventure bases. There are no unit-centric requirements, only program requirements. Unauthorized and Restricted Activities Q. Is laser tag an approved activity? A. No.  Laser tag is prohibited.   Please review additional information located in the Prohibited […]

[…] Nova Award. Submit the Supernova Award Application, below, as instructed in the requirements. Submit any questions regarding the Nova or Supernova awards to program.content@scouting.org Effective June 1, 2015, the rank requirements for Cub Scouts are changing (see www.scouting.org/programupdates for these new requirements). Cub Scouts currently working on the Nova awards or one of the Supernova awards have two […]

[…] you earn at least two Nova awards for Cub Scouts before earning the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award. Requirements 1. Complete the adventure appropriate for your rank AND complete either option A or option B. Wolf Cub Scouts Bear Cub Scouts Code of the Wolf Make It Move Option A:  Do all of […]

[…] Code of Conduct Poster Set  – This set includes a poster to create your Den Code of Conduct, and a posters of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Rank Pocket Certificates – Used to recognize Cub Scouts when they complete their badge of rank.  Most packs provide this at Pack Meetings. Lion Rank Pocket Certificate   […]