Youth & Adult Registration

Youth & Adult Registration (Demo page under construction)

Welcome to Troop 670! Whether you are looking to register a new Scout or an adult volunteer, we are excited to have you join our Scouting family. This page will guide you through the registration process, key expectations, and what you and your Scout can expect in their first year. We understand that the registration process can be overwhelming, especially for new families, so we’ve laid out everything clearly to help you get started.

Youth Registration: Becoming a Scout

Joining Troop 670 is an exciting step, and we are here to support your Scout as they begin their Scouting journey. Below is a step-by-step guide to youth registration.

1. Eligibility

Age Requirements: Any youth aged 11–17 is eligible to join Troop 670. Alternatively, a youth who has completed the Arrow of Light rank in Cub Scouts or has finished the 5th grade can join, regardless of age.

2. Registration Forms

Application: Fill out the official BSA Youth Membership Application. You can either:
- Download the form here and submit it in person at a troop meeting.
- Complete the registration online via the BSA’s official registration portal here.

3. Fees and Dues

National Registration Fee: This covers the Scout’s membership in the Boy Scouts of America.
Troop Dues: Troop 670 has an annual fee that covers camping trips, merit badge resources, and troop materials. Fundraising opportunities are available to help offset costs.

4. Required Paperwork

Medical Forms: Every Scout must complete the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A and B) before participating in campouts or outdoor activities.
Youth Protection Training: While this is primarily for adult volunteers, parents are encouraged to take the free Youth Protection Training to understand BSA’s commitment to a safe environment for all Scouts.

5. What Happens Next?

Once your Scout is registered, they can begin attending troop meetings (held every [day/time]) and participating in troop activities right away. You’ll receive a welcome packet with information about uniforms, camping gear, and a calendar of upcoming events.

What to Expect in the First Year: A Guide for New Scouts and Parents

Your Scout’s first year will be filled with fun, learning, and adventure. Here’s a breakdown of what they’ll experience and the skills they’ll develop during their first year in Troop 670:

1. Introduction to Scouting

Your Scout will start by earning the Scout Rank, which is the first step in their Scouting journey. They’ll learn basic Scouting knowledge, including the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and handshake.

2. Essential Outdoor Skills

Over the year, your Scout will be introduced to key outdoor skills, including:
- Knot Tying: Learning basic knots like the square knot, two half hitches, and the taut-line hitch.
- Camping: Participating in troop campouts where they’ll learn how to set up a tent, build a campfire, and practice outdoor cooking.
- Fire Safety: Understanding how to safely build, light, and extinguish a fire.
- First Aid: Basic first aid, including how to treat minor cuts, burns, blisters, and how to handle emergency situations in the wilderness.
- Map & Compass Skills: Using a compass and map to navigate during hikes and orienteering activities.

3. Key Events and Activities

Throughout the year, your Scout will have the chance to participate in the following events:

Monthly Campouts: Each month, Troop 670 organizes a camping trip, allowing Scouts to practice their outdoor skills in a real setting.
Merit Badge Workshops: Scouts will start earning merit badges related to their interests. First-year Scouts often focus on badges like First Aid, Camping, and Swimming.
Service Projects: Scouts participate in various community service projects throughout the year, teaching them the importance of giving back.
Court of Honor Ceremonies: These ceremonies recognize Scouts for their advancements in rank and merit badges.

4. Troop Meetings

Weekly Meetings: Held every [day/time], troop meetings are the core of your Scout’s experience. They’ll participate in skills instruction, games, and planning sessions for upcoming outings.
Patrol System: Your Scout will join a patrol, a smaller group within the troop, led by a Patrol Leader. Patrols work together during activities and campouts, fostering teamwork and leadership.

5. Rank Advancement

By the end of the first year, your Scout will be working towards the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. These ranks introduce increasingly advanced skills, from first aid to survival techniques. Achieving these ranks lays the foundation for future growth in Scouting.

6. Parental Involvement

As a parent, your involvement plays a key role in your Scout’s success. You are welcome to attend events and help out in various capacities. Consider joining the troop as an adult volunteer to stay engaged in your Scout’s journey.

Adult Registration: Become a Volunteer

Troop 670 welcomes adult volunteers! Whether you’re interested in becoming a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or serving on the Troop Committee, your support is invaluable. Here’s how to register as an adult volunteer:

1. Steps to Register

Adult Application: Complete the BSA Adult Volunteer Application either:
- Download the form here.
- Register online via the BSA Registration Portal here.
Youth Protection Training: All adult volunteers must complete the BSA Youth Protection Training before they can begin working with Scouts. This training is available online and takes about 90 minutes.

2. Background Check

All adult volunteers are required to undergo a background check as part of the BSA’s commitment to keeping Scouts safe.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

There are various roles you can take on as a volunteer:

Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster: Guide Scouts in their outdoor adventures and leadership development.
Troop Committee Member: Help with administrative duties such as finances, advancement tracking, and event planning.

How to Set Up a Scoutbook Account for Your Scout

Scoutbook is an online tool provided by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that allows parents, Scouts, and leaders to track advancements, manage activities, and communicate within the troop. It’s a great way to stay informed about your Scout’s progress and see what requirements they’ve completed or still need to work on. Here’s how you can get started with Scoutbook:

Step 1: Get Your Invitation

When your Scout is officially registered with Troop 670, you will receive an email invitation from your Scoutmaster or Troop Committee to create a Scoutbook account.
Look for the email titled something like “Invitation to Scoutbook” that contains a link to create your account. If you haven’t received this invitation, please reach out to Mr. James Walker, Scoutmaster, at scoutmaster@troop670.com to request it.

Step 2: Create Your Scoutbook Account

Once you’ve received your invitation:

Click the link in the email invitation. This will direct you to the Scoutbook registration page.
You will be asked to enter your email address and create a password for your Scoutbook account.
Once the account is created, you will have access to your Scout’s profile.

If you are already registered as an adult leader, you may use the same BSA ID and email address that you provided during registration.

If you do not receive an invitation, you can also visit the Scoutbook login page here and select the option to create a new account.

Step 3: Link to Your Scout

After creating your account, you will be able to link to your Scout’s profile to view their advancement records, merit badges, and upcoming troop activities. You can also connect with other members of the troop such as their Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster for communication.

Step 4: Explore Scoutbook

Once you’re logged in, you can explore Scoutbook’s features, including:

Advancement Tracking: See your Scout’s progress toward rank advancement and merit badge requirements.
Calendar: Access troop meetings, campouts, and event schedules directly through Scoutbook’s calendar.
Messages: Use Scoutbook to communicate with troop leaders and other parents. The messaging system keeps everything organized and easy to follow.
Merit Badge Resources: Track merit badge progress and review requirements.
Reports: View detailed reports on your Scout’s completed activities, advancements, and service hours.

Step 5: Add Additional Parents/Guardians

If you’d like to add another parent or guardian to your Scout’s profile (such as a co-parent or grandparent), you can do so easily:

Log into your Scoutbook account.
Navigate to your Scout’s profile.
Select the option to invite another parent/guardian by entering their email address.

They will receive a similar invitation to set up their own Scoutbook account and link to your Scout’s profile.

Additional Resources

For more information on Scoutbook or to troubleshoot any issues, you can visit the BSA’s official Scoutbook FAQ page here.
Access Scoutbook directly via this link: Scoutbook Login.
For a full step-by-step guide with videos, you can also refer to the Scoutbook Tutorial here.

Need Help? If you’re having trouble setting up your Scoutbook account or have any questions about using it, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Emily Thompson, Membership Coordinator, at membership@troop670.com or call (555) 123-4567 for assistance.

Get Started Today

If you’re ready to join Troop 670, whether as a youth member or adult volunteer, simply follow the registration steps outlined above. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Membership Coordinator, Mrs. Emily Thompson, at membership@troop670.com or call (555) 123-4567.

We look forward to welcoming you and your Scout to Troop 670!