Parent Resources

There’s nothing quite like the excitement that comes with embarking on new adventures. Within the scouting experience, each adventure promises new challenges, unforgettable memories, learning opportunities, development of leadership skills, and stories that will last a lifetime!

If you're a parent with a child that is new to Scouts BSA, we're here to provide you with all the resources you need to get started.  If you're a parent that just needs to refresh your memory from time to time, we're here to help you with that too.

Scouting is a program for anyone active in the life of a Scout. We recognize that who plays a parental role can vary from family to family. Scouts BSA works to ensure that parents and other individuals who play a parental role in a Scout’s life can impact and participate in Scouting.

How Scouts BSA Differs from Cub Scouts

Scouts BSA is a youth-led program, but we understand the need for adult guidance and support. Any parent or guardian who would like to be present during a Troop meeting is welcome, but please note that there are more strict rules as to who can camp on an overnight with this age group.  Only registered leaders can camp with this age group, not unregistered family members like in Cub Scouts. There are many opportunities if you'd like to be a registered leader within the troop.  Please see a Scoutmaster or our Committee Chair if you're interested in getting involved.

Scouts BSA vs. Cub Scouts

The goal of the Cub Scout program is to provide ready-made opportunities for families to enjoy fun activities together. The Scouts BSA program aims to help young people develop self-confidence and leadership skills by tasking them with the responsibilities of planning and carrying out activities and generating achievements. The role of an adult leader is to help build these leadership skills, while working to create a safe and healthy environment with the training and resources Scouts need to help them find success!  This level is about your child building their skills, confidence, and independence to prepare them for a bright future.

Parent and Adult Roles in a Scouts BSA Troop

Scouting is where adults make profound differences in young people’s lives. Parents and adult leaders within our youth organization must understand that our role is to create a safe environment where young people can grow, explore, learn to fail, get up, and try again! (The most growth happens from the mistakes that are made.) Adults should be willing to listen to Scouts, encourage them, and display a sincere interest in their well-being.  While we may allow mistakes to happen as a learning opportunity, the role of adult leaders is to provide those guardrails to ensure everyone remains safe, happy, and healthy.  We will ALWAYS step in if necessary.