Discover the paths in Scouting in Michigan for boys and girls ages 5-20.
Scouting teaches youth to confront any challenge with whole hearts and clear minds—to live their lives without regret, never back down, and do their very best! Starting from a Scout’s first meeting, Scouts learn a variety of skills that prepare them to confront challenges through their lives and that are useful in daily life. Campouts and adventures help create confident youth, lifelong memories, and lasting friendships.
Discovery is at the heart of Scouting. Whether it’s a campout, derby car race, or hike on the trail, we believe every adventure helps us uncover a little more about ourselves. We build the foundations for humility and compassion—strengthening character through actions—to prepare youth for a lifetime of leadership.
Through fun yet challenging physical and mental activities, Scouting encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination.
Scouting is something the whole family can experience together. We designed our program so that anyone—brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers—can have fun and make an impact!
Scouting America promotes a culture where youth, volunteers, and employees feel a sense of belonging—where every person feels respected and valued.
Scouting builds Courageous Youth that have the skills
and confidence to handle any situation
Scouting creates long-term leadership and character skills, but sometimes it is the immediate hard skills and the courage to use them that have the most impact. From a Cub Scout learning to tie a knot (to tie their own shoe) or how to safely slice/dice food with a knife to help a parent cook, to an older Scout learning how to cook (indoors and out) or administer proper First Aid, skills learned are APPLICABLE AND RELEVANT TO REAL-LIFE.
Cub Scout Saves a Life
The skills learned in Cub Scouts can have a major impact. Read a story about a 5-year-old who used his Cub Scout skills to save his brother’s life.
Trust Me, I’m a Scout
Scouting teaches skills and the confidence to use those skills. Read this article about an 11-year old Scout that applied first aid knowledge in his daily life.
Some Exceptional Kids
Scouting not only is fun, but it teaches life-long skills. Read this article about situations where the first aid skills learned in Scouting saved lives.
Cub Scout Saves a Life
The skills learned in Cub Scouts can have a major impact. Read a story about a 5-year-old who used his Cub Scout skills to save his brother’s life.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking / Backpacking
- Climbing
- Target and Range Sports
- Paddle Sports
- STEM
- Metalworking
- High Adventure Trips
- Zip Lines
- High/Low Ropes Courses
- Pinewood Derby
What about Sports? There isn't time for everything...
Many of our Scouting youth, including those that attain Eagle Scout, are athletes as well as Scouts. Scouting can also provide the leadership, teamwork and fitness that team sports can, and those skills learned in Scouting can be used on the court/field/pool.
In Scouting, there is NO BENCH. Unlike in some sports, in Scouting, everyone is a STARTER and EVERYONE PLAYS / participates every minute. The young people aren’t only in the action, they’re DRIVING THE ACTION, leading, learning, and growing themselves.
STAR RUNNING BACK STORY
It was the summer of 2013, and David Montgomery already had a bright future ahead of him.
He didn’t know it at the time, but the then-16-year-old was just a few months away from earning the rank of Eagle Scout, two and a half years away from committing to play college football at Iowa State University, and just under six years away from being drafted by the Chicago Bears. […]
– On Scouting
[READ FULL STORY]
PARENT STORY
“My son plays youth basketball and he has been in teams with coaches that push these kids to win at all costs. They could have played their best game–but lost–and they would be berated about losing…
Both my sons are also in Scouting America, where there is less of that mindset… For the vast majority of Scouts, they don’t achieve the Eagle rank but they have achieved so much success by failing and trying again.
– Keith Lam, Zero-Sum Game
[READ FULL STORY]
Youth that participate in Scouts during their high school years are prepared for the future ahead, whether that is career or college. Scouting provides leadership and community service opportunities for college applications. Business owners recognize that Scouts are trustworthy candidates and often prioritize those applications. Those that earn the Eagle Scout rank automatically enter military service at one rank higher.
Learn More About Our Programs for ages 5-20
Cub Scouts
Encouraging boys and girls to make friends, be helpful to others, and do their very best in all of the adventures that they take.
Scouts BSA
Scouts BSA is the traditional Scouting experience where boys and girls can have their share of adventure in the great outdoors.
Venturing
Venturing is a youth-led program all about building adventures with your friends and learning leadership along the way.
Sea Scouts
Sea Scouting promotes better citizenship and teamwork through instruction and practice in water safety, boating, and service.
Encouraging boys and girls to make friends, be helpful to others, and do their very best in all of the adventures that they take.
Scouts BSA is the traditional Scouting experience where boys and girls can have their share of adventure in the great outdoors.
Venturing is a youth-led program all about building adventures with your friends and learning leadership along the way.
Sea Scouting promotes better citizenship and teamwork through instruction and practice in water safety, boating, and service.
Explorers learn about a wide variety of career fields and network with professionals already working in those fields.
You will never look back on life and think, “I spent too much time with my kids”. Scouting provides a way to explore, engage and have fun together.
Questions you might have
Q. Is Scouting available for girls, too?
A YES! In 2018 Cub Scouts opened up to girls, and in 2019 Scouts BSA followed. Sea Scouts, Venturing and Exploring have always been co-ed. Scouts BSA Troops are either single-gender –“Boy Troops” and “Girl Troops” — or co-ed “Family Troops” . Some Cub Scout Packs are still “Boy Packs”, while the majority are “Family Packs”, welcoming all.
Q. What is the cost of Scouting?
A Annual membership fees cover the cost of overall Scouting, and for the 2025 year are at $170/Scout. Individual units (Packs, Troops, etc.) may have additional dues that cover activities, awards, and supplies. Uniform requirements vary per program, and while are not required, are recommended. Michigan Crossroads Council provides Membership Assistance to those that need it for registration fees; specific units often will also provide scholarships. Camp Scholarships are offered through the council as well to ensure all youth are able to go to summer camp. Fundraising opportunities exist in the units through Popcorn and other options.
Q. My child also is in sports. Can they do both sports and Scouts?
Yes! There is a place in a child’s life for both Scouts and sports. It is not uncommon for kids to be involved with both, sometimes taking a pause with Scouts for a month or two during the height of a sport season. Scouts is a year-round activity that meets you where you want to be. If your child misses a campout for a sports tournament, it won’t be the end of the world. Your child’s Troop/Pack will welcome them when they can be there.
Fitness from sports will help with activities in Scouting, and leadership and interpersonal skills learned in Scouting will help with Scouts.
Q. What is the time requirement for parents?
It is whatever you can give. Cub Scout Lions and Tigers (kindergarten and first grade) require that an “adult partner” be present at all meetings and outings. Beyond that, there is no requirement from the BSA that parents be present at meetings, though some groups (Packs) may require it. All groups rely on parents to become leaders, and leadership positions vary in time commitment. From helping out with one meeting, to creating newsletters, to leading a group, there are opportunities for all parents. Youth that have involved parents do tend to have a better experience.
Q. Is Scouting safe?
A Yes! Before becoming a leader (and every year after that), all registered leaders are required to take Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT), a course designed to ensure that our youth are properly supervised and taking part in age-appropriate activities. Leaders continually take training on Hazardous Weather, Swim and Water sport safety, and many other activity-specific safety training courses. Personnel that conduct target sports and climbing sports activities are certified in those activities as well. All leaders also go through a nationwide criminal background check before direct contact with Scouts.
Q. How do I request more information?
We’d love to answer any other questions you might have! There are many ways to reach us:
- Text “DISCOVERSCOUTING” to (855)940-4210
- Email us at info@discoverscouting.org
- Call (616)675-2599
- Fill out our Request Info Form
Don’t live in Michigan but want more information about Scouting in your area?
Visit BEASCOUT.ORG to find out more and to find a group near you.
Contact
- Text DISCOVERSCOUTING to (517)997-8039
14258 Michigan Street
PO Box 129
Eagle, MI 48822
Our Programs
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