Join Scouting!
Scouting is an exciting and rewarding experience for youth and adults. For 100 years, Scouting has been a way to teach youth the values and skills that prepare them for a successful future.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization has many levels. To help you understand how they all fit together - we've outlined them below.
Youth -- Young people are the main reason the Boy Scouts of America exists. Programs are designed to meet needs at appropriate age and grade levels. At the teenage years, girls are included in Scouting through the Venturing program.
- Cub Scouting: Boys in 1st - 5th Grades
- Boy Scouting: Boys in 6th Grade - Age 17
- Venturing: Boys and Girls Ages 14 - 20
Adults -- Adult volunteers work at all levels of Scouting. They may be a Scoutmaster, district committee member, or national president. Working with volunteers is a group of professionals. Professionals are there to support the volunteers' work. Click Here to learn more about various adult volunteer opportunities in Scouting
Chartered Organizations -- Chartered organizations may be a church, civic group, school, or other such organization that seeks permission and works in conjunction with the BSA to provide program for youth. Contact Us if you represent an organization that might like to partner with Scouting to serve young people.
Districts -- A district is a geographic area designed to support Scouting in an area through training, program planning, and support. The district has a committee and commissioner staff assigned to coach your unit adults, help solve problems, and provide other guidance as needed. Click Here to learn more about our the four districts in the Hoosier Trails Council. Contact Us to volunteer in a district role.
Councils -- A council is a geographic area composed of districts. The Hoosier Trails Council has an executive board of volunteers and a staff of professionals. The council supports chartered organizations by providing materials and certain facilities, such as camps. Click Here to learn more about the Hoosier Trails Council, BSA. Contact Us to volunteer in a council role.
National Organization -- The national office in Irving, Texas. The national office develops program, policy training, literature, and videos, and maintains the standards for the organization. Click Here to visit the National Council web site to learn more about the Boy Scouts of America nationally. Contact Us to learn more about how to volunteer in a national role.
How to Join Scouting
- Join Cub Scouting is a promotional site for the Cub Scout program, geared towards non-members who may wish to consider joining or starting a unit.
- The Scout Zone is a promotional site for the Boy Scout program, geared towards non-members who may wish to consider joining.
- Call the Hoosier Trails Council at 812.336.6809 or Email Us
We can tell you what organizations in your area have a Scouting group, and give you the contact information for their Scout Leader, who has all the paperwork you need. Currently - we cannot accept registrations online, so you must fill out a regisgtration form to enroll your child. - Many schools and local organizations will have a "Join Scout Night" event in the Fall. This is an opportunity for you to meet the Scoutmaster, receive a registration form, and get a calendar of meeting dates and fun and exciting events and activities.
If you are already enrolled in Scouting, Find out how to earn a new Recruiter Patch by helping a friend, classmate, or neighbor join Scouting!
Additional Information
