There are two easy ways to join Scouting!

Sign up online. Visit www.BeAScout.org to find a Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship near you and fill out an online application to join. 

Sign up with a BSA Application. You can download the youth or adult application below, complete, and return to the leader of the Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship that you will be joining. 

BSA Youth Application - Download

BSA Adult Application - Download*

*NOTE for Adult Applications you must complete Youth Protection Training at My.Scouting.org before your application can be processed. Please print and include the Youth Protection Certificate with your Application. 

Membership Fees

All membership in the BSA will be renewed on a 12-month membership cycle.

Each youth and adult member will renew their membership on their anniversary month. Many will have an anniversary that is the month their unit renewed last, and any new members will renew 12 months after they joined.

Membership renewals will be completed either by credit card with a 12-month renewal payment from the individual, by a Scout unit that has elected “Unit will pay all our members renewals” option, or by a manual payment at a Council Service Center.

New Members

All new youth and adult members will join for a 12-month membership cycle. Both youth and adults will pay the full annual membership fee to join Scouting and will renew their membership on the anniversary month of joining.

Each member of the BSA will receive an email notice with a registration renewal link beginning 60 days before the anniversary month of joining.

Existing Members

All youth and adult membership renewals will be for a 12-month membership cycle.

Charter Renewal change will take effect for units starting in the fall of 2024.

Renewing members will renew their membership on their anniversary month.

Each member will receive an email renewal notice reminder beginning 60 days before the anniversary month.

Merit Badge Counselors

Merit badge counselors who are not registered as an adult leader in a unit will pay an annual $25 fee.

Merit badge counselors are not registered in a unit position and therefore are not allowed to attend overnight Scouting activities/events.

The goal of these changes is to streamline the rechartering and membership renewal process for units and individual members.  If you have questions about the new process, please contact your District staff member who can be reached here.