FAQ

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• How old (or young) can boy be to join Scouting?

  Cub Scouting is for boys in the first through fifth grades, or 7 to 10 years of age. Boys that are 11 years old, or who have completed the fifth grade, are eligible to join Boy Scouting.  At 14 years of age, young men and young women are eligible to join the Venturing or Exploring programs.

• Are there programs for girls in the Boy Scouts of America?

  Venturing and Exploring are co-ed programs for young men and young women between the ages of 14 and 20. Exploring is part of our Learn for Life subsidiary and posts are most often career-based. Venturing programs revolve around hobby interests or high adventure activities in the outdoors.

• Is there a Scout pack, troop, crew, or post in my area?

  In most instances, yes is the answer. There are over 1,000 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews and Explorer posts in the Heart of America Council. Our council covers 19 counties in Kansas and Missouri in and around Kansas City.  To find a program close to you and to learn more about joining, click here.

• Must I be a United States citizen to join Scouting?

  Citizenship is not required of youth or adult members.

• May parents attend Scout meetings and outings?

  Scouting is a volunteer-led program and parents are encouraged to serve as registered leaders in their child’s pack, troop, crew or post. While meetings are intended as an activity for youth members, all meetings should be open to your participation. Most Scout units encourage interested parents to become registered leaders. Many parents find that serving as a Scout leader strengthens their relationship with their child and is one of the most rewarding experiences in their lives.  

  The Boy Scouts of America has recently instituted the position of ScoutParent. A ScoutParent is a parent or adult mentor of a Scout who enthusiastically participates with their Scout and also helps other volunteers to provide the best quality program experience to all youth in every unit. For more information visit the ScoutParents Website.  

• Does the Boy Scouts of America have an office in Kansas City?

  Yes. The Heart of America Council is the local organization chartered to deliver the Scouting program in our 19 county region.  For details click here.

• How often do Scouts meet?

  Scouts usually have a weekly meeting and a monthly activity. In Cub Scouting, the weekly meeting is called the den meeting and the monthly activity is the pack meeting. Boy Scout troops have weekly troop meetings and a monthly camping trip or activity.

  In the Venturing and Exploring programs, meetings may be held weekly or every other week. Crews and posts will also plan and hold activities on a monthly or bimonthly basis.  

• Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms, and other program materials?

  There is a Scout Shop located at the Heart of America Council’s service center. The Scout Shop carries all the materials, uniforms and equipment you will need. For address information and store hours, click here.

• How do I become an adult volunteer in Scouting?

  Express your interest to the leadership in your unit. Visit with the unit leader, chartered organization representative, or any member of the unit committee. While there's no guarantee that a specific role or position will be available—and there may be a selection process among several candidates even if the position is currently vacant—there are usually a number of ways in which you can contribute, and most units gladly welcome your offer of help.

  To become a leader in Scouting you must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America.

• How do I learn what to do as a leader? Is there training available?

  Training is available for all leaders and this is the single most important thing that you can do to offer the highest quality program to the youth in your unit. To learn more about training, click here.

• How do I become a Merit Badge Counselor?

  All Merit Badge Counselors must be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America.  Even if you are already registered in another position, you must still complete a BSA Adult Application #28-501F form with the Position Code “42” (there is no charge). For the details, click here.

• What is Friends of Scouting or Investment in Character?

  The Heart of America Council is a nonprofit organization, along with every other Boy Scout council in the country.  The council relies on the financial support of individuals, businesses, United Ways and revenue from our popcorn sale and special events to deliver a quality program to 45,448 young men and women in the communities served in our 19 county region. For more details on our fundraising activities, click here. 

• What are the policies concerning participation in political rallies?

   Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers could construe their presence as an endorsement. In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.