Scouts BSA is the traditional Scouting experience for youth in the fifth grade through high school. Service, community engagement and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.
Scouts BSA usually meet once a week as an entire troop, then have some kind of group activity once a month – typically a weekend campout.
Scouts are part of a single-gender peer group called a Troop, which is led by a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and a group of other adult volunteers and parents. Troops often subdivide and operate in smaller groups called Patrols to accomplish tasks or take on leadership roles. One Scout is elected to be the patrol leader, but everyone shares in the responsibility of making the patrol successful.
While in Scouts BSA, your child will be exposed to over 120 hobby and career choices, frequently resulting in life-long involvement. Scouts work at their own pace in the advancement system. To advance all the way to Eagle Scout, Scouts must show Scout Spirit, complete the skill development at each rank, practice leadership, and perform a community service project. Each step of the way the Scout has a personal counseling session with their Scoutmaster and a review by other adults in the troop. As the Scout learns and progresses, a Scout’s self-esteem and confidence continues to grow.