Transition to Scouts BSA
Helping families understand the shift from adult-led to youth-led adventure
A Youth Led Program
Scouts BSA is Scouting America’s premier leadership program for youth ages 11 to 17. Youth develop practical skills and grow as leaders through outdoor adventures and community service.
Being a youth led program is a a key component of Scouts BSA. This means youth select activities, plan events, and teach younger scouts. Adults support scouts, ensure safety, facilitate purchases, and provide transportation.
For some families coming from Cub Scouts and other adult led programs, this can be a frustrating shift. Youth led activities can be slower and result in conflict. For example, when youth cook meals it can be slower and even result in a less than tasty meal. However, Scouts BSA offers a safe place for kids to fail. We help them to develop the skills they would not build if adults did these things for them. We won’t let them go hungry, but we know you earn more from your mistakes than successes.
How You Can Help
We all want our kids to grow up into healthy successful adults. The middle school and high school years are a time to share your knowledge and build connection.
Use the E.D.G.E. Method at home. E.D.G.E stands for:
Explain the steps clearly so they understand what needs to be done.
Demonstrate the skill yourself so they can see it done correctly.
Guide them as they try the skill while you observe and coach.
Enable them to do the skill safely and independently on their own.
You can use the E.D.G.E Method to teach how to sew a button or change the oil for a car. You may need to repeat some of the steps a few times before you are both comfortable with your child performing a new skill on their own, but the goal is for kids to gain confidence, independence, and ability.
Earning Merit Badges
Merit badges let Scouts explore topics they’re curious about, from archery to woodworking, while learning from adult counselors with real-world expertise. Learn more on the official Scouting America Merit Badges page.
Talk to the Scoutmaster about your interests. Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you and pick one to earn. Your leader will give you the name of a person from a list of merit badge counselors. These individuals have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects and are interested in helping you.
You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. This person can be a parent or another registered adult. It’s not required, but it can also be fun and motivating to work on (and finish!) a badge with a fellow scout.
Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and explain that you want to earn the badge. The counselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected and to start helping you meet the requirements.
At the first meeting, you and your merit badge counselor will review and may start working on the requirements.
Sample email
Always include a second adult on all communications, for example a parent or unit leader.
Dear Mrs. Smith,
My Scoutmaster, Mr. Jones, suggested I ask if you would be available to be my merit badge counselor for the Aviation Merit Badge. Would you be available next Thursday, January 6, at 6:30 pm before the Scout Meeting?
Thank you, I’m really looking forward to learning more about aviation!
Yours in Scouting,
Alex Johnson
Unlike Cub Scouts you will work on your merit badges independently. Ask your counselor to help you learn the things you need to know or do and the best sources to learn more.
When you are ready, contact the counselor again to make an appointment. When you go, take along the things you have completed to meet the requirements. If they are too big to move, take pictures. The counselor will test you on each requirement to make sure you know your stuff and completed the requirements.
When the counselor is satisfied you have met each requirement, he or she will sign your application, also known as a Blue Card. Give the signed application to your unit leader so your merit badge can be secured for you. We usually award Merit Badges at our Court of Honor ceremonies, so we can celebrate everyone’s achievements together.