How can YOU get in on the fun that your kids are having?
Let’s face it, there are a lot of fun activities for ADULTS in Scouting as well! A week/weekend at summer camp taking part in waterfront activities, target/range sports, fishing, and climbing. Campouts and service activities throughout the year. We don’t blame you for wanting to help out and take part!
Ways to Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved with your Pack, Troop, Crew or Ship. Best way to start? Just ask? Talk to the den leader or Scoutmaster or Cubmaster or other leaders in your group. There are always tasks that need to be done. You don’t have to be a full “leader” to help out. Do what you have a talent for or are comfortable with.
For example:
* Bring snack for the next meeting
* Provide supplies for an upcoming project
* Share a hobby or your profession at a den meeting
* Take attendance at a Pack meeting
* Create a flyer or social media post
* Offer to scout out a location for the next hike
Want to take it a step further? Become a Registered Adult Leader!
If you would like to be involved in your group working directly with youth, you will want to apply to be a registered adult leader. A leader could be any of many positions, including Committee (parent committee that helps make decisions), Treasurer, Advancements Coordinator, New Parent Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Den Leader/Assistant, Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor and more! Note: Most positions require the applicant to be 21+.
There are a few steps to becoming a registered adult leader in Scouting America. Use the resources below to get started with the joining process and as a launching point for getting started as a leader.
Apply Online
The first step in your journey is to apply online as a registered Adult. Your “unit” (Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship) will either provide you a link or you can search for your unit at BeAScout.org. If you use BeAScout.org, you will enter your Program type and Zip code to find your unit. Once found, click the “Apply Now” button and choosing “Adult”. You will be required to pay the registration fee at the time of application. As of 2026, that is $80. (Merit Badge counselors are $25.)
Take Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT)
We take safety of our Scouts seriously. All registered adult leaders must take Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) prior to being accepted as a leader. Leaders must also retake the refresher course yearly in order to maintain their membership. The first training takes about 1.5 hours, with subsequent years taking 15-20 minutes. The content of the course ensures that we are keeping our youth safe –age-appropriate activities and tool usage, safe activities, and detecting/preventing abuse. The account you created to apply online will be the same user account for your My.Scouting portal where you will find all your training. Log in and click the Safeguarding Youth logo on the right of your screen.
Take Position-Specific Training
Why reinvent the wheel in your Scouting position? LOTS of training opportunities exist that will teach you the best ways to excel at your position. Log into My.Scouting and click “My Training” at the top. On the sidebar, choose “My Required Training” to see what your position requires. Once all required training is completed, you will be considered “Trained” for your position. Celebrate by wearing the “Trained” patch under your position on your uniform sleeve! Don’t worry — you don’t have to take this your first week. Aim to complete within the first six month. Most of it is online and can be done anytime! View the training requirements in the PDF at the Requirements page.
Buy a Uniform
Most leaders like to “look” the part by wearing the uniform for their program. While it is not required, it is one of the Methods of Scouting (as you found out in training), and you want to lead by example to the Scouts. Cub and Scouts BSA leaders wear the tan uniform (considered the “Scouts BSA Uniform”), Venturing leaders wear the green uniform, and Sea Scouts wear navy blue. You can order them online or visit your nearest Scout Shop.
Forms
You may be required to complete various forms for your group. All members need to fill out an Annual Health and Medical Record – AHMR Parts A-B. If you are going to summer camp, you will need to complete the AHMR Parts A-C. Those attending summer camp at a camp in Michigan will need to request a Central Registry Clearance Request. Submit these forms to your group leadership as requested.
Find Resources
Do a quick web search, and you will find there are a LOT of helpful resources out there that will assist you in your new position. The MCC Website, the Scouting America website, and others have resources you can use. Most common ones in our council:
Attend Trainings
You’ve taken your required training, but you’d like to learn more! Make sure to look at the other training available in your My.Scouting -> My Training Portal. Consider taking Safe Swim Defense, Hazardous Weather, or other safety related courses. Attend your district roundtable for monthly training opportunities. Sign up for the next University of Scouting, or consider the ultimate leadership training, Wood Badge.
Get Connected
Once you are helping out your group, don’t forget to stay on top of activities taking place in your area and in the state. Make sure you are enrolled in the Michigan Crossroads Council’s emails. Follow the council’s and your district’s social media. Check out the council calendar for upcoming events.
Our council, Michigan Crossroads Council, covers almost the entire state of Michigan. The council is broken up into many districts that support locals areas. If you do not know which district you are a part of, you can visit the MCC Districts page to review the maps and listings. Links to district Facebook pages, contacts, and calendar can also be found on the district page.
