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- About the BSA
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- Diversity & Inclusion
- FAQ
- Are Cub Scouts the same as Scouts BSA members? What about Venturers?
- Can a merit badge counselor require a Scout to work beyond the specific requirements of the merit badge in order to challenge the Scout and allow him or her to discover more about the subject?
- Can merit badge counselors coach their own sons, daughters or close relatives (for instance, a niece or nephew)?
- Can women be Scout leaders?
- Does the Boy Scouts of America have paid employees?
- How can I become an adult volunteer?
- How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment?
- How do I know what activities are age-appropriate for Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing?
- How do I know what to do with the Scouts?
- How do we get started on the religious awards programs?
- How many merit badges can a merit badge counselor support?
- How often do Cub Scouts meet?
- How old (or young) can a youth be to join Scouting?
- I have a unit with children of all different faiths. How can I include the religious emblems programs for my unit?
- If I don’t know much about camping and the outdoors, how could I be a good Scout leader?
- If the religious emblems program for a faith has more than one level (for the different grade levels), may the Scout earn all of these recognitions?
- 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?
- Is there a Scouting unit in my area?
- Is training available?
- May parents attend meetings?
- Must I be a U.S. citizen to join Scouting?
- Must individuals who are serving as a merit badge counselor register as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America?
- My family is very busy; how would I have time to be an effective leader?
- Once a volunteer is registered and approved as a merit badge counselor, is that registration for life?
- What are the religious emblems programs?
- What are the Scout Oath and Scout Law?
- What fundraisers are available for Scouts?
- What happens when the weather, locale, or some other circumstance makes meeting all of the conditions of the merit badge requirements impractical? Can substitute requirements be created for those stated?
- What is the adult religious recognition program?
- What is the minimum age requirement for merit badge counselors?
- What is the Order of the Arrow (OA)?
- What Merit Badges are required for the Eagle Scout rank?
- What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Scouting?
- Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms, and other program materials?
- Where is the religious emblem worn on the uniform?
- Which religious emblem square knot should I wear?
- Who may serve as a counselor for the religious emblem?
- Local Council Locator
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- Youth Safety
- Awards
- Awards Central
- 100% Boys’ Life Unit Award
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- Boardsailing BSA
- BSA Council Alumnus of the Year Award
- BSA Lifeguard
- Community Organization Award
- Conservation Good Turn Award
- Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
- Cyber Chip
- Den Chief Service Award
- Den Leader Training Award
- Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
- District Award of Merit
- Emergency Preparedness Award
- Endowment Achievement Award
- Firem’n Chit
- Founders Bar
- Frank L. Weil Memorial Quality Jewish Committee Award
- Frank L. Weil Memorial Unit Recognition Award
- George Meany Award
- Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award
- Historic Trails Award
- International Scouter’s Award
- Interpreter Strip
- iScouting!… Vale la Pena! Service Award
- James E. West Fellowship
- Kayaking BSA
- Keep America Beautiful Hometown USA Award
- Lifesaving and Meritorious Action Award
- Long Cruise Award
- Memorial Gold Star Award
- Messengers of Peace Award
- Mile Swim BSA
- National Den Award
- National Honor Patrol Award
- National Major Gift Award
- National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
- National Outdoor Challenge Unit Award
- National Summertime Pack Award
- NESA Life Membership Award
- NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
- North Star Award
- Order of the Arrow—Distinguished Service Award
- Order of the Arrow—Founder’s Award
- Order of the Arrow—Red Arrow Award
- Order of the Arrow—Vigil Honor
- Paul Bunyan Award
- Philmont Training Center Masters Track Award
- Professional Circle
- Professional Fellowship Honor
- Recruiter Strip
- Religious Emblems Awards Program
- Scouter’s Key
- Scouter’s Training Award
- Scuba BSA
- Service Stars
- Silver Antelope Award
- Silver Beaver Award
- Silver Buffalo Award
- Skipper’s Key
- Snorkeling BSA
- Special Needs Scouting Service Award
- Spirit of the Eagle Award
- Stand up Paddle Boarding Award
- Torch of Gold
- Totin’ Chip
- Trained Strip
- Unit Leader Award of Merit
- Venturing Shooting Sports Outstanding Achievement Award
- Veteran Award
- Veteran Unit Award
- W.P. Society Award
- Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award
- Whittling Chip
- William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award
- Winthrop Rockefeller Award
- Woods Services Award
- World Conservation Award
- Journey To Excellence
- Bonus Points
- Council
- Council Tips for Success
- Council Tips for Success
- District
- District Tools
- End of Year Journey to Excellence
- Exploring District
- Guidebooks
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- Sample Reports
- Strategic Planning Aligned to JTE
- Tracking Workbooks
- Unit
- Unit JTE Status Record Sheet
- Unit Tips for Success
- Religious Emblems Programs
- Scholarships
- Awards Central
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- Good Volunteer-Professional Relationships: A Strategic Issue for Professionals
- Importance of Monthly Unit Visits by Commissioners – Winter 2006
- Internet Charter Renewal
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- Technology for Commissioners
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- Family Fun Fest
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- Home
- Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scout
- International
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- International Adventure
- 1,000,000 Pieces of Trash
- 2017 NSJ International Exhibit Staff Reflections
- 2017 NSJ International Staff Support Team Reflections
- Cancellation of the International Camp Staff Program
- ILI and Event Verification 101
- International Reflections: A World of Opportunity
- IR Vacancy Report
- Jamboree-on-the-Internet Blog
- Kandersteg Connection
- My Scouting Life – Brigitte Therivel
- Navigating Your Next International Adventure
- NSJ2021 International Team
- Responsibilities and Tasks of an IR
- Valentine’s Day Messengers of Peace Project
- William I. Koch Cup: An International Stage for Sea Scout Racing
- World Scout Jamboree Stories: Cafe USA
- International Calendar
- International Recognitions
- JOTA – JOTI
- Certificate of Participation and Contact Log
- Event Report
- Fact Sheets
- Graphics
- Jamboree-on-the-Air
- Activity Books
- Amateur Radio Terms
- Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators
- Guidelines for Scout Leaders
- Icom America Amateur Radio Station Loan Program
- JOTA Certificate of Participation and Contact Log
- JOTA Graphics
- JOTA in the News
- JOTA Patch Archive
- JOTA Planning
- JOTA Report Archive
- JOTA Sample News Release
- Program Ideas
- Radio Merit Badge Resources
- Sample Calendar
- Scouting Countries
- Special Call Signs
- Station Registration
- Station Reports
- Success Stories
- Jamboree-on-the-Internet
- Patch Archive
- Patch Ordering
- Messengers Of Peace
- Tools and Resources
- ContentPortal
- International Committee Directory
- International Publications, Recognitions, and Identity
- International Representative Conference
- International Scouter’s Award
- Navigate Your Next International Adventure
- Scouting with the BSA Outside the U.S.
- The World Baden-Powell Fellowship and World Scout Foundation
- The World Crest
- The World Friendship Fund
- United States Fund for International Scouting (USFIS)
- World Organization of the Scout Movement
- Travel and Events
- World Scout Moot
- World Scouting
- World Support
- Learn About Cub Scouts
- Legal
- National Camp-In
- National Statement on COVID-19
- Outdoor Adventures
- Outdoor Programs
- Aquatics Program
- ATV Safety Program
- Awards
- Biking
- Camp Director Resource Page
- Camping
- Conservation and Environment
- COPE and Climbing
- Fishing
- Leave No Trace
- Literature
- National Camp Accreditation Program
- National Camping School
- Nationally Approved Historic Trails
- Outdoor Ethics Guide
- Outdoor Ethics/Leave No Trace
- Outdoor Programs – Properties
- Shooting Sports
- The BSA Family Adventure Camp
- Trail To Adventure
- 2020 BSA National Aquatics ‘Virtual’ Conference
- 2020 BSA National Aquatics Conference
- 2020 National Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Conference
- 2020 National Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Conference Registration
- 2020 National Outdoor Ethics Viral Conference
- 2020 National Outdoor Ethics Virtual Conference
- 2020 Virtual Aquatics Conference Wrap up
- 2021 NCAP Intent to Operates Due Date Now 9/30/2020
- 2021 NCAP Standards are here
- Abilities Digest Info on Adaptive Class
- Adaptive Special Needs Conference at Philmont
- Are you Ready For Your Camp Assessment?
- BSA National Historic Trails Programs offer unique opportunities
- Camp Ranger Basic
- Central Region Summer Camp Success Stories
- Central Region Winter Outdoor Program Conferences
- Colorado Scouts BSA Troop 114 Gets Creative!
- COMING 2021 – “SHORT-TERM CAMP” NCAP CLASSIFICATION
- Coming Soon! Short-Term Camp Administrator National Camping School Training
- Conestoga Log Cabins values their BSA Relationship
- COPE & Climbing Level II
- COPE, Climbing and Covid-19
- Covid 19 and the Summer of Fishing 2020
- COVID-19
- Covid-19 and Summer Camp
- Covid-19 helps form camping partnerships in Northeast Region
- Cub Scout Shooting Sports – Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY!
- Discount Ammunition Program
- First National Camping School Short-Term Camp Administrator Trainings Begin
- Fishing is the New Hot Thing to Do
- Fishing- The Biggest Bang for the Buck
- Hammock Camping
- Keeping Fishing simple, as the times they are a changing!
- Lifeguard Skill Assessment and Preservice Training
- National Camping School
- National Camping School Fall 2020 and Beyond
- National Pre-Camp Leadership Meeting
- NCS is Cancelled – NOW WHAT?
- New Annual Health and Medical Record
- New Approval Process for National Camping School Registration 2021
- NEW BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Materials Available Online Now
- Our New Blog
- Outdoor Ethics & Conservation Conference
- Outdoor Programs Upcoming Webinar Topics and Dates
- Philmont trail meals and hiking snacks now available for sale online!
- PlayPower
- Pro Wellness
- PurchasingPoint
- Supporting BSA Camps and Outdoor Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Sustainable Forest
- Thank you Tim Beaty!
- The Highlights of Short-Term Camp: An interview with the NCAP Chairman
- The Orion Project
- The Properties Course
- This Blog’s for You!
- Western Region councils meet pandemic challenges
- What does drowning look like?
- Why Fishing is My Tool
- Virtual Camps
- What’s New
- Polaris Method
- Programs
- Cub Scouting
- Activities
- Adult Leader Training
- Aims and Methods
- Benefits of Cub Scouting
- Cost of Cub Scouting
- Cub Scout Adventure Survey
- Cub Scout Program
- Cub Scout Uniform
- Cubmaster Resources
- Den Leader Resources
- How Cub Scouting is Organized
- How to Volunteer in Cub Scouting
- Pack Committee Resources
- Preview Adventures
- Resources, Forms & Applications
- The Cub Scout Program
- Scouts BSA
- Adults
- Advancement and Awards
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Improved Webelos Transition
- Program Resources
- Scouts BSA Program Updates
- Teaching Leave No Trace
- A Side Note on Rules and Regulations
- Activity Plan 1 for Dispose of Waste Properly
- Activity Plan 1 for Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Activity Plan 1 for Travel and Camp On Durable Surfaces
- Activity Plan 2 for Dispose of Waste Properly
- Activity Plan 2 for Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Activity Plan 2 for Travel and Camp On Durable Surfaces
- Activity Plan for Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Activity Plan for Leave What You Find
- Activity Plan for Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Activity Plan for Our Natural World
- Activity Plan for Respect Wildlife
- Appendix
- Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Catholes: Proper Disposal of Human Waste
- Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It Out)
- Ideas to Remember
- Leave No Trace Resources
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- Quick Concept for Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Quick Concept for Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It Out)
- Quick Concept for Leave What You Find
- Quick Concept for Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Quick Concept for Our Natural World
- Quick Concept for Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Quick Concept for Respect Wildlife
- Quick Concept for Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Quick Concepts & Activity Plans
- Respect Wildlife
- The Principles of Leave No Trace
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Where to Start
- Why Leave No Trace?
- The Roles of the Troop Chaplain and the Chaplain Aide
- Troop Open House
- Unit Program Planning Tools
- Year-Round Guide to Scout Recruiting
- Youth
- Sea Scouts
- Venturing
- Cub Scouting
- Resources
- Boys’ Life Magazine
- Guide to Advancement 2019
- Advancement Defined
- Advancement for Members With Special Needs
- Appendix
- Boards of Review: An Overview for All Ranks
- Contents
- Electronic Advancement Reporting
- Guidelines for Advancement and Recognition Committees
- Introduction
- Special Considerations
- The Eagle Scout Rank
- The Mechanics of Advancement
- The Merit Badge Program
- Guide to Awards and Insignia
- Information About Online Registration for Councils and Unit Leaders
- Language of Scouting
- Religious Observance & Civic Awards
- Scoutbook
- Scouting Forms from the National Council
- SCOUTStrong
- Special Needs and Disabilities – Serving Scouts With Disabilities
- Scouting at Home
- Scouting Safely
- American Red Cross and BSA Training Agreement
- Annual Health and Medical Record
- General Health and Safety FAQs
- General Resources
- Got Questions?
- Guide to Safe Scouting
- Activity Planning and Risk Assessment
- Age Appropriate Guidelines
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
- Animal and Insect Hazards
- Appendix – Forms
- Aquatics Safety
- Boy Scouts of America Scouter Code of Conduct
- Camping
- Chemical Fuels and Equipment
- Incident Reporting
- Insurance
- Las Dieciséis Pautas de Seguridad de BSA
- Medical Information and First Aid
- Online Version
- Sports and Activities
- The Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety
- Transportation
- Winter Activities
- Youth Protection and Adult Leadership
- Health & Safety Forms
- Health and Safety Alerts
- April Is National Safe Digging Month
- Aquatics Safety: Hyperventilation
- Avian/Bird Flu Pandemic
- Be Prepared: Active Shooter Resources
- Bodyflight Safety Alert
- BSA Environmental, Health and Safety Reminder on Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
- Chemical Fuel and Equipment Policy
- Dangerous Games
- Drone Safety
- ECSI National Training Agreement
- Flaming or Magic Neckerchiefs
- Flu Prevention
- Guidelines for Using Cannons
- Hazardous Weather Training
- Heat and Hiking
- Ice Safety
- Influenza Update (H1N1 Flu – Swine Flu)
- January Is National Radon Action Month
- No Personal Firearms at Scouting Activities
- Norovirus FAQ
- Paintball Is Prohibited in Scouting!
- Position on Knockerball™, BubbleBall, Battle Ball™, Zorbing, and Similar Orb Activities
- Protection Strategies Against West Nile Virus
- Rocket Safety Reminder
- Safety First for Your Horse Program
- September: National Preparedness Month
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- Shooting Sports and FAQs
- Shooting Sports Safety
- Sky Lantern Dangers
- Snake Bite Poster Available
- Summer Aquatics Safety
- Traditional CPR Technique Still Official
- Understanding Heat Index and Hydration
- Water Chugging
- Winter Sports Safety
- Youth Protection Champions
- Incident Reporting
- COVID-19 Incidents / Exposures – Supplemental Instructions
- Incident Reviews
- All-Terrain Vehicles
- Allergies and Anaphylaxis
- Asthma
- Belays
- Boating
- Bunk Beds
- Burns from Starting Fires
- Burns to Youth
- Campfires
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Cardiac Events
- Communicable Disease
- Concussions
- Dog Bites
- Fatal Falls
- Foodborne Illnesses
- Gaga Ball
- Hammock
- Heat and Hydration
- Horses
- Hypothermia
- Lightning
- Log Splitters
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Orthopedic Injuries
- River Paddling
- Scuba Diving and Open-Water Snorkeling
- Sledding
- Small Wild Creatures and Bites
- Snakes
- Snow Sports
- Sunburn
- Swimming
- Tick Bites
- Zip Lining
- Informe de la Comisión de Inmunización
- Medical Risk Factors for Your Participation in Scouting
- OSHA Laws That Affect Council Offices and Camps
- Policies, Guidelines, and Model Plans
- Prohibited Activities FAQs
- Report of the Immunization Task Force
- SAFE Scouting
- Safe Scouting Newsletter
- Safety Moments
- Acute Mountain Sickness Recognition and Prevention
- All-Terrain Vehicles
- Annual Health and Medical Record Safety Moment
- Aquatics Safety
- Asthma
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Be Prepared for High Adventure
- Bunk Beds
- Camp Fire Safety
- Campout Safety Checklist
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning—at Home or Camp
- Certificates of Insurance
- Chain Saws
- Charcoal Safety
- Christmas Tree Sales and Holiday Fire Safety
- Climbing
- Code of Conduct
- Combating Obesity
- Communicable Disease Prevention
- Concussions
- Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye
- CPR
- Cyber Safety
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities
- Distracted Driving
- Emergency Action Plan
- Energy Drinks
- Family Camping
- Fire Safety with Backpacking Stoves
- First Aid Kits
- Food-Borne Illness
- Frostbite
- Generators
- Guide to Safe Scouting
- Hammock Camping
- Hazard Trees
- Hazard Trees And Hammocks—Jack’s Story
- Herbicides
- Hiking
- Histoplasmosis
- Homesickness
- Horses
- How to Review the AHMR
- Hypothermia
- In Case of Emergency
- Incident Reporting Helps
- Indoor Bodyflight
- Insurance
- Is It Scouting?
- Ladder Safety
- Life Jackets / Personal Flotation Devices
- Nap On Safely
- Noise Safety/Awareness
- Orthopedic Injuries
- Poison Control Centers
- Poisonous Plants
- Pre-Event Medical Screening
- Prohibited Activities
- Propane Stoves
- Psychological First Aid
- Resilience
- Risk Advisory for High-Adventure Activities
- Risk Assessment
- Roadside Fatality—Austin’s Story
- Rocket Safety
- Safe Use of Medication in Scouting
- Safety Afloat
- Safety Data Sheets
- Scouting Safely Online Resource
- Scouts First Helpline
- Shooting Safety
- Shotgun Shooting—An Assistant Scoutmaster’s Story
- Sky Lanterns
- Snake Bites
- Stroke
- Sun Safety
- Trailer Theft
- Trampoline Park Safety
- Transportation Safety Shorts
- Transporting Scouts Safely
- Violent Intruder
- Water Bottle Rockets
- Weather-Related Safety
- Wilderness First Aid
- Winter Activity
- Winter Sports
- Wounds
- Youth Suicide Prevention
- Zip Lines
- The BSA’s Commitment to Safety
- Training — Health & Safety
- Video
- Youth Protection
- Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs
- Scouting: The Adventure Continues
- STEM Nova Awards
- Award Requirements
- Counselors & Mentors
- Nova Awards FAQ
- Program Support
- STEM Nova Recognition
- What is STEM and Nova?
- Training
- 5-Year_Financial_Plan_w-Membership_Tracking
- Fiscal Documents
- Sample Policies
- Aliens Invade Sanctuary
- Reversing Forest Fragmentation