How much do you want from Scouting?
If you want to be a Scout so that you can spend time with your friends, go camping, and do other fun things, welcome. We will enjoy your company, and having you along will make our activities more successful. Scouting will give you the opportunity to do numerous things that wouldn't normally be available to you this early in your life. You will learn many useful skills, and the values taught by Scouting can help make your life, and the lives of those around you better.
As you spend time with us, you will notice that those that put more into Scouting will seem to get the most out of it. There are things you can do beyond attending troop meetings and going on campouts that can help you get more out of the time you spend with us.
A key concept of scouting is service to others. Some opportunities for this will be fundraising events and service projects. Everyone will appreciate your help, and you will gain from these experiences.
Qualified older Scouts may be nominated to join the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society.
If the only rank you ever earn is the Scout rank, we hope you become the best Scout the world has ever known. Earning higher ranks will do much more for you than just gaining the respect of your fellow scouts.
Lower ranks focus on scouting skills. These are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. The higher ranks — Star, Life, and Eagle — focus on leadership, merit badges, and service.
A wide variety of interests and vocations are represented by over 135 merit badges. Merit Badge books explain each subject and its requirements.
If the troop does not have the book(s) you need, visit a local library or the Scout Shop. The troop provides a list of its merit badge counselors to help along the way.
There are opportunities for all of our Scouts to do things that benefit Scouting, our troop, and themselves. Elections and appointments for troop positions are usually held twice each year.
Scouts with more experience working with people can be patrol leaders and their assistants, planning our activities.
Scouting offers recognition outside of rank and merit badges. These range from the Paul Bunyan award (for chopping down a tree) to Leave No Trace (environmental awareness).
Scouts BSA offers Youth Training in a variety of ways, both online and in person.