Resources

SCOUTING RESOURCES

Here you will find useful Scouting resources to aid in your Scouting career and Troop planning.

Medical Forms

• BSA Medical Forms Parts A, B, and C (requires Doctor's signature)

• BSA Routine Drug Administration Record

Planning

• Troop Documents

  • Troop Planning Document - This document includes the Troop 18-month long-term plan, with activity, meeting, and campout dates and themes, links to meeting and campout plans, and registration links.

  • Troop Campout Duty Roster Worksheet

• Planning Resources

  • BSA Tips for Troop Meetings

  • Print a Calendar

  • Troop Meeting Planning - It’s been said that the weekly troop meeting is the glue that holds a Scout troop together. From beginning to end, there should always be something happening creating a focus, capturing and maintaining the Scouts’ attention, and providing the grounds for rewarding experiences. There should be a period set aside to learn new things that are useful and relevant, moments that are amusing and entertaining, and opportunities to put skills into action in ways that are challenging and fun. Troop members should leave the meeting feeling invigorated, feeling good about Scouting, and feeling good about themselves.

  • Annual Planning Conference - Long-term planning happens at the annual planning conference.  Long-term planning results in an annual calendar and a set of unit goals for the year.  The Troop should choose themes for Troop meetings, activities, and campouts.  The Troop should also plan for at least one service project every 3 months (quarterly).

  • Program Features - Program Features consists of 48 themed modules to help make program planning easier for troop leaders. The mix of topics provides the kind of variety, adventure, and increasing challenge that keeps members coming back while also facilitating advancement.

  • Service Projects - Service should support our Chartered Organization, our Community, and Scouting and the Simon Kenton Council.

  • Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities - Age- and rank-appropriate guidelines have been developed based on many factors. When planning activities outside of program materials or handbooks, ask this question: Is the activity appropriate for the age and for Scouting?

Camping

• Troop Campout Packing List

• Troop Summer Camp Packing List

• Where to Go Camping - This publication details the various amenities of each camp including information on the facilities, costs, locations, and camping spaces, which can be found in the links provided, in addition to information for state and national parks in the area.

Advancement

• Eagle

  • Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

  • Eagle Scout Letter of Reference

  • District Eagle Project Approval and Board of Review Process

Merit Badges

The BSA merit badge process is as follows:

1. The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin working on the requirements.

2. The Scout and Scoutmaster discuss the Scout’s interest in the merit badge.

3. The Scoutmaster approves in Scoutbook or signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one counselor contact.

4. The Scout contacts the counselor.

5. The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the Scoutmaster.

6. The Scout, the Scout’s buddy, and the counselor meet (often several times).

7. The Scout finishes the requirements.

8. The counselor approves completion.

9. The counselor completes the merit badge in Scoutbook or the Scout returns the signed blue card to the Scoutmaster, who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.

10. The Scoutmaster gives the Scout the applicant record.

11. The Advancement Chair reports completion of the merit badge.

12. The Scout receives the merit badge.

• Merit Badge Requirements - The requirements posted here are the most current, accurate, and official. This will always be the best place to find the most up-to-date requirements.

• Merit Badge Pamphlets - You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject.  Pamphlets are available for sale online or can be checked out from the Troop library.

• Merit Badge Workbooks - Workbooks are unofficial and optional; you will still need the merit badge pamphlet and requirements.  Workbooks can help you organize your thoughts as you prepare to meet with your merit badge counselor.  If a requirement states "show", "demonstrate", or "discuss", then every Scout must do that with their counselor; just filling out the workbook is not sufficient!

Knots and Lashings

• Animated Knots by Grog - The website is free but the mobile app costs a few dollars.

  • Seven Scouts BSA knots:

    • Scout Rank req. 4a:  square knot, two half-hitches, and the taut-line hitch (Note: Animated Knots by Grog does not list the taut-line hitch.  The midshipman's hitch is a variation different from the taut-line hitch and is not acceptable for Scout Rank req. 4a.)

    • Second Class Rank req. 2f and 2g: sheet bend and bowline

    • First Class Rank req. 3b: timber hitch and clove hitch

  • Three Scouts BSA lashings:

    • First Class Rank req. 3c: square, shear, and diagonal lashings