Frequently asked questions

The first year

Should parents come on the first camping trips? We recommend Scouts go on their first one or two campouts without parents. It builds independence and confidence, which prepares them for summer camp and lowers the chance of homesickness. Parents are welcome on any trip.

Do all first-year Scouts go to summer camp? Not all, but Scouts who go have an opportunity to solidify friendships and get a taste of the fun activities scouting has to offer. Scouts who skip camp get chances to catch up on advancement in the fall.

Should parents stay at Troop meetings? You are welcome to watch. Please stand quietly at the back and let the Scouts and uniformed leaders work.

How are patrols formed? The First Year Program Director assigns first-year patrols, and we try to keep dens and friend groups together. In the winter, just before the next group of first-year Scouts starts, the patrols merge into the main Troop, where Scouts meet people of other ages, ranks and schools and learn from older, more experienced Scouts.

Can first-year Scouts join main-Troop activities? It depends on the activity. First-year Scouts have a lot to learn on the Trail to First Class, so training and testing come first. Some activities are combined at meetings. Day trips and campouts are almost always open to first-year Scouts, and any age, size or training limits are listed on the activity page.

What if I see behavior that is not Scout-like? If safety is involved, step in right away. If it is not a safety issue, tell one of the uniformed leaders.

Uniforms and handbooks

What is a Class A uniform? Is the hat optional? The Class A uniform is the Scout shirt with all the proper patches, Scout pants or shorts, a Scout belt and Scout socks. A hat is recommended for first-year Scouts, but not required.

What is a Class B uniform? A Scout-related shirt or jacket, such as Troop 33 anniversary gear. Scout shorts or pants are optional but recommended.

When should my Scout wear Class A, Class B or street clothes? Class A at Troop meetings and courts of honor, and always when traveling to and from an activity. On the activity itself it is Class A or Class B; the activity document says which. See Uniform.

Does my Scout need a handbook? Yes. Every Scout needs the current Scouts BSA Handbook.

How many merit badges does a Scout need before getting a sash? There is no minimum. We suggest getting one after summer camp, where Scouts typically earn one or two merit badges. Buy one they can grow into, so you do not have to re-sew every patch later.

Where is the closest Scout shop? See the council's service centers. Call ahead to check sizes.

Outings and rank advancement

How many activities does a Scout need in the first year? To reach Second Class a Scout takes part in five separate activities, not counting Troop meetings, and two of them must be overnight campouts. To reach First Class it is ten separate activities, and three must be overnight campouts. Summer camp counts as one activity. The more a Scout takes part, the more chances they have to advance and have fun. Scouting America's Scouts BSA Requirements book (2025 edition) is the source of truth if they ever differ from this page.

Are electronics allowed on activities? Generally our policy is to leave phones, tablets and game players at home. Scouting is meant to be mostly outdoors, and we want Scouts to enjoy nature. On a driving trip longer than two hours each way, electronics can be used in the car, but they should be put away for the activity itself. The scoutmaster in charge (SMIC) decides the rules for a specific outing, so some allow devices for things like photography or geocaching. The activity document will say.

How old does a Scout need to be for a National Jamboree or a high adventure trip like Philmont? Scouting America sets the ages, and each base sets its own. Philmont treks need participants who are 14, or 13 and have completed 8th grade. See the National Jamboree site and the Philmont and Northern Tier sites for current requirements.

Merit badges

Can first-year Scouts take merit badge courses? Yes. The Troop usually holds two merit badge rallies, in November and February, and each one runs over several weeks of Troop meetings. The council holds merit badge midways in November and February, plus an industrial arts midway and Shoreline Watersports merit badge classes; see the council's Scouts BSA activities page for dates and details. The Hiller Aviation Museum also offers Aviation and Weather.

How does my Scout find a counselor and start a merit badge? We have counselors for almost every merit badge in our district. Blue cards are almost never used now. Contact the Merit Badge Coordinator, who can give your Scout the names of several counselors and explain the next steps. See how to earn a merit badge.