Boy Scouts of America

Program Support Resources

 

This page is currently being updated by members of the National Commissioner Service Team.
Please email commissionerserviceteam@scouting.org with any questions.

An effective commissioner provides unit leadership with information and guidance on the latest changes in their specific program, whether Cub Scouts or Sea Scouts. Change is a constant throughout the national level programs, and flowing down this information is essential to ensure quality programs for all BSA youth participants and program participants.

We are looking for your input; use the suggestion box at the end of this page to let us know the most common Program questions you receive from the units you serve.

Cub Scouts

You can share these Cub Scout Resources that with new leaders or families interested in Cub Scouts. In addition, the following resources were provided in a recent article from Bryan on Scouting.

  1. Welcome Tools for Families
    1. The eight-page Welcome New Cub Scout Family brochure
    2. Den leader guides
    3. Position-specific guides
  2. Online Resources for New Families
    1. Cub Scouting National Program Information
    2. Scout Preview Adventures
    3. The article, Go online for new Cub Scout Preview Adventures.
    4. Cub Scout Adventure Survey
  3. New leadership recruitment material: Pack Committee Resources
  4. The Den Leader Experience on Scoutbook provides a one-stop-shop for Den Leaders. It helps den leaders to organize meetings for the year as well as to prepare for their next meeting and to track attendance and advancement.
  5. The Cub Scout Leader Resource Overview provides a consolidated listing of resources that useful for all Cub Scout Leaders.

Cub Chat Live! is a weekly show that spends time providing tools and ideas to our units so they can lead a successful cub scout program.

Scouts BSA

The following Scouts BSA resources were provided in a recent article from Bryan on Scouting.

  1. A quick-start guide to Scouts BSA – Program Resources Page
    • A checklist for a new Scoutmaster who might be unfamiliar with Scouts BSA
    • The main page for family Scouting, which is the BSA’s initiative to welcome all members of the family into all Scouting programs
    • A one-page, customizable document you can use at parent orientation
    • A troop resource survey, which lets you learn the skills of each troop parent to identify potential merit badge counselors and volunteers
    • The latest requirements for every merit badge
    • The complete script for an orientation for new Scout parents
    • Resources to help you plan better troop meetings
    • Information on the National Eagle Scout Association, which is essentially an alumni group of those who have earned Scouting’s highest honor
  2. Latest updates to Scouts BSA – Program Updates Page
    • New or updated language for Scouts BSA printed materials, such as the Scouts BSA Handbook, Scouts BSA Requirements book, or a merit badge pamphlet.
    • Updated requirements for merit badges or ranks
    • Information on new Scouts BSA initiatives or opportunities
    • Links to previously live-streamed office hours – with topics including Eagle time extension requests, DEI advancement changes, recruiting ideas, and female troop support
  3. The BSA has launched a new series of personal safety awareness videos in partnership with the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation, intended to help young people know how to seek help in various situations safely. – Click Here
  4. Go and follow the Scouts BSA official Facebook page to hear directly from the Scouts BSA Committee.

Venturing

You can find the following Venturing resources on the Crew Resources page:

  • Starting up a new crew
  • Recruiting new members
  • Marketing Toolbox to share the adventure
  • Annual Planning Program for successful year
  • College Scholarships to Venturing Summit Award Recipients
  • Starting a Scouts BSA Troop as a source of youth looking for the next great adventure.

Sea Scouts

You can find the following Sea Scout resources under the Resource menu at SeaScout.org:

Check out the Lookout Sea Scout Podcast Series, with the first episode being a great introduction to Sea Scouts for commissioners.

Other useful Sea Scouts links:

Lone Scout

We have Lone Scout resources for families that traditional Scouting programs might not be available in their area or have a nomad lifestyle like living from their RV (Roadschooling), boats, or remote cabin. Since they are far away from traditional units, it is hard for them to participate on traditional Scouting. However, they can still participate in Scouting with their family.

  • Lone Scout Program from the Commissioner website
  • Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook
  • Aaron on Scouting article
  • Advancement forms to submit to their council (non-Scoutbook). List unit number as LONE.
  • Contact your local council to learn more on how they support Lone Scouts.

International Scouting

You can find resources for your units on the BSA’s International Scouting page:

Special Needs & Disabilities

You can find the following resources on the Disabilities Awareness page:

Mark your Calendars! On March 11-21, 2022 – The Keys Experience hosted by the National Special Needs and Disabilities Committee – Click here for more information

Additional Resources:

  • Special needs and disabilities stock images to use on flyers and posters can be found in the BSA Brand Center.
  • Read current and past newsletters by visiting the newsletter archive. To get on the mailing list, send a request to SpecialNeedsChair@scouting.org.
  • For additional resources, check out the Able Scout Website. In the Able Scout website you can find these:
    • Inclusion Toolbox – The Inclusion Toolbox for Special Needs and Disabilities is a printable website that keeps special needs and disability information accessible 24/7/365 for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) community, now including Scouts BSA. The Toolbox does not read like a novel or textbook. It is designed to allow you to jump to the topics of greatest interest and then read other sections later. Use the Table of Contents and search feature to jump to what you need.
    • Abilities Digest – Subscribe to the newsletter

STEM in Scouting

Learn more about the STEM Nova Awards and how STEM in Scouting can help to keep your Scouts engaged by visiting the STEM in Scouting National Website and reading the resources available. Additional training is available in My.Scouting.

Go and follow the STEM Nova Award Facebook page.

Awards Central

Awards Central is the Boy Scouts of America’s repository for information about official awards and recognitions. This site is where the most up-to-date information about BSA-related awards may be found, including award applications and nomination forms.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, & SUGGESTIONS

Be sure to include your email address in the body of the message if you would like a response.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.