This FAQ will hopefully answer your questions on how you can join your local Scouting program as a Scout, Parent or Volunteer.
- How old (or young) can a youth be to join Scouting?
- Is there a Scouting unit in my area?
- Must I be a U.S. citizen to join Scouting?
- Are Cub Scouts the same as Scouts BSA members? What about Venturers?
- How often do Cub Scouts meet?
- May parents attend meetings?
- What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Scouting?
- Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms, and other program materials?
- How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment?
- What are the Scout Oath and Scout Law?
- Does the Boy Scouts of America have paid employees?
- If I don’t know much about camping and the outdoors, how could I be a good Scout leader?
- My family is very busy; how would I have time to be an effective leader?
- Can women be Scout leaders?
- Is training available?
- How do I know what activities are age-appropriate for Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing?
- How do I know what to do with the Scouts?
- How can I become an adult volunteer?
- Must individuals who are serving as a merit badge counselor register as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America?
- What is the minimum age requirement for merit badge counselors?
- Once a volunteer is registered and approved as a merit badge counselor, is that registration for life?
- How many merit badges can a merit badge counselor support?
- Can merit badge counselors coach their own sons, daughters or close relatives (for instance, a niece or nephew)?
- Can a merit badge counselor require a Scout to work beyond the specific requirements of the merit badge in order to challenge the Scout and allow him or her to discover more about the subject?
- What happens when the weather, locale, or some other circumstance makes meeting all of the conditions of the merit badge requirements impractical? Can substitute requirements be created for those stated?
- If the requirements for a merit badge on the required list for the Eagle Scout rank vary among the Scouts BSA Handbook, the merit badge pamphlet, and the Scouts BSA Requirements book (current edition), which resource takes precedence?
- What are the religious emblems programs?
- I have a unit with children of all different faiths. How can I include the religious emblems programs for my unit?
- If the religious emblems program for a faith has more than one level (for the different grade levels), may the Scout earn all of these recognitions?
- Where is the religious emblem worn on the uniform?
- How do we get started on the religious awards programs?
- Who may serve as a counselor for the religious emblem?
- What is the adult religious recognition program?
- Which religious emblem square knot should I wear?
- What Merit Badges are required for the Eagle Scout rank?
- What fundraisers are available for Scouts?
- What is the Order of the Arrow (OA)?