Family Troops

Scouting America Leadership,

In response to a growing need for some of our Scouting families, the National Executive Board has approved a family troop option for Scouts BSA, following a successful pilot. This new option will be available December 15, 2025.

This option provides chartered organizations with more flexibility in delivering Scouting to families in communities where there are not enough youth to have a boy-only or girl-only troop. While the vast majority of troops will continue to specifically serve boys or girls in the years ahead, this option gives chartered organizations the ability to meet the unique needs of their communities and families who want to do Scouting together in a unit.

A survey of pilot units indicated:

• Increased membership
• Stronger program delivery
• High satisfaction among youth, leaders and families.
• Greater efficiency in operations and resource use.

This model represents a forward-thinking approach in our goal of adapting and meeting the needs of families, while upholding the core values of Scouting and our ongoing commitment to our mission to serve more young people across the country.

I want to thank the Scouts BSA Committee, National Operations Leadership Committee, National Executive Board, councils, and units that participated in the pilot. Together we can deliver Scouting to a new generation of Americans.

Yours in Scouting,

Roger Krone
Chief Scout Executive
President & CEO
Scouting America