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Home > Program Updates > Scouts BSA > Applications Open for the 2025-26 Scouts BSA National Youth Council

Applications Open for the 2025-26 Scouts BSA National Youth Council

In Scouts BSA, we believe that youth are the experts of their experience. The National Youth Council gives youth leaders a chance to help shape the future of Scouting by working directly with top leaders on decisions that affect the program.

This is the council’s fifth year. Up to 40 youth from across the country will share their thoughts on what’s working well and what needs to improve. They’ll also give feedback on new ideas being considered by the national Scouts BSA committee. Youth will meet virtually with Scouts nationwide while helping create real policies like merit badge requirements, and rank advancement.

As youth council member Cooper Harding from Greensboro, N.C. says, “We talk about all the ideas we have on how we can improve Scouting. It’s been a really cool experience.”

What You’ll Do:

  • When: September 2025 to May 2026 (8 months)
  • Meetings: First Sunday of each month, 7-9 PM ET on Zoom
  • Time: About 3-5 hours per month including meetings and homework
  • Cost: Free to participate

Who Can Apply:

  • Ages 14-17 during the whole term (September 2025 to May 2026)
  • Currently registered in Scouts BSA
  • First Class rank or higher
  • Current or past leadership position (patrol leader, SPL, ASPL, troop guide, OA rep, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, JASM, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide)

How to Apply:

For more information see Scouts BSA National Youth Council flyer and watch our video of past Scouts BSA National Youth Council participants.

Apply now to help put youth at the center of Scouting and make a real difference!

 

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Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.