Troop Self-Assessments:

Troop Self-Assessment surveys are short surveys that help your troop understand how well it’s doing and where it can improve. They also give helpful tips and resources from Scouting America to make your program better.

Each survey has 9–12 questions and takes about 10 minutes to finish. Troops can use them a few times a year, especially before planning their yearly activities. Leaders like the Scoutmaster and troop committee can also use the results to guide their meetings and decisions.

These surveys go beyond basic data tracked by Unit Metrics, which is a system that checks how likely a troop is to renew its charter. While Unit Metrics looks at a few key numbers, the Troop Self-Assessment surveys take a deeper look at things like how many trips your troop goes on, how fun and well-attended they are, and whether they help Scouts of different ages and ranks.

Troops are encouraged to share this information with their commissioners to help improve troop operations and functions.

Surveys To Be Completed By Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leaders’ Council

• Activities/Outings

  • Recommendation: to be completed by Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leaders’ Council with support and data from Committee Chair or Scoutmaster

• Patrols and Patrol Method

  • Recommendation: to be completed by Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leaders’ Council with support and data from Committee Chair or Scoutmaster

• Troop Meetings

  • Recommendation: to be completed by Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leaders’ Council

• Youth Leaders

  • Recommendation: to be completed by Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leaders’ Council with support and data from Committee Chair or Scoutmaster

Surveys To Be Completed By The Troop Committee Or Troop Committee Members

• Advancement

  • Recommendation: to be completed by Advancement Coordinator or Committee Chair

• Membership

  • Recommendation: to be completed by Committee Chair or Membership Coordinator

• Troop Administration and Finance

  • Recommendation: to be completed by the Troop Committee Chair with support from Treasurer and other Troop Committee members

• Troop Committee

  • Recommendation: to be completed by the Troop Committee Chair jointly with the Troop Committee

Survey To Be Completed By Scoutmaster Or Scoutmaster Team

• Scoutmaster Team

  • Recommendation: to be completed by the Scoutmaster jointly with Assistant Scoutmasters

Supporting Women in Scouting

https://vimeo.com/670710624

The Future of Inclusion in Scouting

Today, Scouting America welcomes and serves youth of all gender identities. It has identified various goals and milestones as it continues to work toward a culture of inclusivity.

Continued Growth and Opportunities

● Expanding programs. The BSA continues to develop and expand programs that cater to the interests and needs of all youth. This includes offering more STEM-related activities, outdoor adventures, and leadership training that appeal to a diverse membership.

● Inclusivity efforts. Scouting America is committed to creating an environment and organizational culture in which all young people feel welcome and valued. This includes ongoing efforts to recruit and support girls in all programs and to ensure that all members have access to the same opportunities and resources.

Challenges and Opportunities

● Adapting to change. Scouting America faces challenges as it adapts to these changes, including addressing concerns from traditionalists and managing the logistics of coeducational programs. However, the organization remains dedicated to its mission of preparing young people for life through character development and community service.

● Empowering the next generation. By embracing inclusivity and diversity, Scouting America is poised to empower the next generation of leaders. Girls who participate in Scouting gain countless valuable skills, confidence, and a sense of community that will serve them throughout their lives.

The inclusion and recognition of women as well as the full integration of girls in the newly-branded Scouting America marks a significant milestone in the organization’s history. As it evolves, it continues to honor its legacy.

Guide to Safe Scouting

https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/toc/

Adult Supervision

Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth or female adult program participants.

Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.

All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant.

Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in. Registration as a merit badge counselor position does not meet this requirement.

See FAQ for list of approved adult registration fee required positions. Limited exception below for Cub Scout overnight Programs.

Cub Scout Programs – Overnight Exception: Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. All adults must review the “How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” that can be found in the front of each Cub Scout Handbook. In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward. All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position.

One-on-one contact between adult leaders and youth members is prohibited both inside and outside of Scouting.

● In situations requiring a personal conference, the meeting is to be conducted with the knowledge and in view of other adults and/or youth.

● Private online communications (texting, phone calls, chat, IM, etc.) must include another registered leader or parent.

● Communication by way of social media (Facebook, Snapchat, etc.) must include another registered leader or parent

What is the OA?

Na Tsi Hi Lodge #71 is an Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge in the Monmouth Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The name "Na Tsi Hi" comes from the Cherokee language and means "in the pines". The OA is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America. It was founded in 1915 to recognize Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. The OA uses Indian Lore to enhance its program.

How is the OA organized?

The OA is broken up into Lodges, similar to how Scouts are organized into Troops. The OA has three honor levels: Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil. The Vigil Honor is the highest honor level in the organization.

OA awards

The OA offers several awards, including the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes members who have provided outstanding service to the Order.