The Scouting experience is divided into five programs according to age and activities. Cub Scouting is for youth in kindergarten through fifth grade. 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. Venturing and Sea Scouting are for young men and women at least 13 years old who have completed the eighth grade, or are age 14 and not yet 21. Exploring clubs serve middle schoolers, aged 10 – 14, in sixth through eighth grades. Exploring posts serve older youth 14 – 20 years old.

The Council is divided into three districts with two of those districts containing sub-districts. Many events are conducted on an area level, giving Scouts an opportunity to meet with others outside their district. Each of which is assigned at least one District Executive. District Executives are the point of contact for volunteers. To learn more about your district, click the image below.

Follow these 3 simple steps and begin your Scouting journey. Find a Scouting Unit Select your preferred program(s) (i.e., Scouts BSA, Venturing), enter your zip code, choose your nearest unit, and select APPLY NOW. Complete a Youth Application Create an account with my.Scouting.org, complete the application, and make a payment. Start Scouting! Download the My Scouting app, contact your unit’s leader, and begin your Scouting journey!

The WTAC, BSA offers five viable unique Scouting programs for youth ages 6-21 in programs of: Cub Scouting - Kindergarten thru 5 or ages 5-10 years Scouts BSA - grades 6 thru 12 or ages 11-18 years STEM Scouts - coeducational, grades 3 thru 12 or ages 8-18 years Venturing - coeducational, between ages 14 and 21 Exploring - coeducational, between ages 14 and 21 Each of these programs uses unique and proven methods of youth development and all programs have a foundation of leadership, community service, self-reliance, and duty to God and Country.

Cub Scouts meet in their dens once each week, and a pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the den and pack: A den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum, in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, a pack may conduct a special event such as a blue and gold banquet as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly pack meeting.

The religious emblems programs should be presented to youth members and their families as an optional program for them to complete through their religious organization. Religious instruction should always come from the religious organization, not from the unit leader. Parents need to be informed of these programs and told where to get the information for their particular faith. Interested in making a presentation on the religious awards? Find sample scripts at www.praypub.org.

Your local Scout Professional (sometimes colloquially called your "DE") is the best person to contact. Follow this link to find your DE's contact information. If you're looking for more information on the camp cards, follow this link for the leader's guide.

Fundraising is an essential part of a Scout being thrifty, setting and accomplishing goals, and earning their way to participate in the benefits and adventure of Scouting. There are a variety of fundraisers units can participate in, including popcorn sales, camp cards, and so much more. Contact your local Scout Professional to learn more about all of the fundraising opportunities in your area.

An individual must be at least 18 years of age to serve as a merit badge counselor.

There are a variety of training opportunities available, specific to the leadership position you hold. For example, as a new unit leader, training is available immediately to enable you to run your first meeting successfully. More in-depth training is provided throughout the year, and monthly roundtable meetings enable you and other leaders to share ideas on how to organize fun and exciting activities for youth.

Express your interest to the unit leaders—the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, crew Advisor, chartered organization representative, or members of the unit committee. While there’s no guarantee that a specific role or position will be available—and there may be a selection process among several candidates even if the position is currently vacant—there is usually some way in which you can contribute, and most units are glad for any offer of help.

The Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR) serves many purposes. Completing a health history promotes health and awareness, communicates health status, and provides medical professionals critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Poor health and/or lack of awareness of risk factors has led to disabling injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities. Because we care about our participants’ health and safety, the Boy Scouts of America has produced and required use of standardized annual health and medical information since at least the 1930s. The medical record is used to prepare for high-adventure activities and increased physical activity. In some cases, it is used to review participants’ readiness for gatherings like the national Scout jamboree and other specialized activities. Because many states regulate the camping industry, the AHMR also serves as a tool that enables councils to operate day and resident camps and adhere to Boy Scouts of America and state requirements. The Boy Scouts of America’s AHMR provides a standardized mechanism that can be used by members in all 50 states.

Yes, the course is more than 72 hours in duration, even if split into multiple weekends. Contact your course director to see if the course will be conducted in a backcountry location that will require adherence to the height/weight chart.

No. We have designed the AHMR to address the risks in Scouting. We would encourage participants who need both types of exams to complete them at the same time.

The only way to assure you have the proper documents is to access them from this website: www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr. This is the only source for the Boy Scouts of America’s AHMR. Tags: Medical Form, Health Form

For any and all Scouting activities, all participants must compete Part A and Part B (both pages). “All participants” includes parents, guardians, siblings, youth, staff, and unit leaders. Though Part C is only required for participation in events lasting longer than 72 hours, all Boy Scouts of America participants are encouraged to complete this pre-participation physical during an annual exam performed by a licensed health-care provider.