Leadership and Character Building...with fun in the Outdoors
For over 100 years, our program has helped create generations of leaders and outstanding citizens by allowing boys and girls to explore their interests, serve their communities, and discover their talents through youth-led activities like hiking, camping, and volunteering!
Scouts BSA (formerly “Boy Scouts”) is the traditional Scouting experience where boys and girls can have their share of adventure in the great outdoors. Develop a love of service by volunteering in your community, boost your leadership skills through fun and exciting challenges, and create memories of a lifetime with no prior Scouting experience required! Boys and Girls each have their own Troops, allowing them to lead and learn with their own genders.
Adventures and Belonging
During youth-led troop meetings, Scouts engage in Scout skill challenges, team building opportunities, and games. On monthly outings and campouts, Scouts put their skills to use while having fun. Longer adventures (week or more) build memories and confidence.
Creating Better Citizens
Since the early times, Scouts have been seen as upstanding citizens. The motto of Scouting is “Do a Good Turn Daily”, and that can be seen in the many community service projects. Scouts are involved in their communities and learn what it means to be a citizen in the community, nation, world, and society.
Advancements
Learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, future careers, and lifelong skills with merit badges. Progress through the Scout ranks, working towards the highest award available in organization: Eagle Scout. Eagle Scouts have demonstrated Leadership, Citizenship, and Scout skills.
FAQ about Scouts BSA
Yes! As of February 2019, girls were able to join the program. Girls follow the same advancement requirements and can take part in the same activities. Troops are single-gender, though — so there are Troops for Girls and Troops for Boys.
Generally Troops meet weekly — to plan outings, learn new skills, and work on advancements. Many Troops will have a monthly outing — a weekend campout, and they have a yearly long outing — summer camp, high adventure activity, etc.
When girls were admitted to the program in 2019, the program name changed from “Boy Scouts” to “Scouts BSA”. Those youth participating in the program, male and female, are now called “Scouts” (not “Boy Scouts”).
Scouts BSA Troops for girls are not affiliated with any other Scouting organization in the United States. The program is the same “Boy Scout” program that has existed for over a century. The Troops for girls are not affiliated with the Girl Scouts of America (TM), which is a separate organization/program.
There are currently 132 female cadets at West Point that are Eagle Scouts
Leadership, Character...and Career, Military & College Preparation
Scouts BSA instills positive character values and leadership skills into its Scouts, but did you realize how it can prepare youth for college, military and career? Beyond the resumé / scholarship building activities, the skills that can be learned can open doors for Scouts.
Scouts BSA offers over 130 different Merit Badges that Scouts can pursue (21 are needed to earn Eagle Scout rank), and most of them are career-focused. Many Scouts credit taking a merit badge at summer camp “for fun” leading to a true career path or helping them determine their college major. Law, Welding, Plumbing, Chemistry, Music. We have it.
Did you know: Eagle Scouts begin their military career, after basic training, higher in rank than their counterparts.
