How to Start a Scout Group

Scouting provides children with the opportunity to learn about nature.

Over time, scout groups can become overcrowded as neighborhoods or schools grow and include more children. Whether your neighborhood or school's scout troop is too large or doesn't yet have a scout troop, you will need to work with the regional council to create a new troop to accommodate the children.

Instructions

Girl Scouts

1. Find an additional adult who is willing to help facilitate the meetings. The Girl Scouts require at least two adults to be present at all times for safety reasons. Both of you must register as volunteers with your local Girl Scout council house and undergo background checks, before you can be approved to lead a troop.

2. Attend the required training for your leadership position. For example, troop leaders will have to attend a leader's training meeting for their level of Girl Scouting, such as Brownies.

3. Recruit students for the troop once you are approved. One effective way to do this is through your local school or church. Send fliers home with the children that explain what scouting is and what level of Girl Scouts you are recruiting. Invite the students and their parents to attend an informational meeting.

4. Gather materials for the troop. Different levels of Girl Scouts require different materials. For example, Daisies require a different handbook than Juniors. You will also need a Try-It book that describes the badges and gives instructions for earning them. In addition, you will need attendance forms; dues forms; and basic craft materials such as paper, markers, scissors and glue.

5. Hold the informational meeting. During the meeting, describe what scouting is, describe how scouting benefits girls and outline the associated costs, such as buying a uniform and paying dues. Have the parents fill out the membership forms and pay the dues during the meeting, or they can return them to the council house themselves after the meeting.

6. Hold the first troop meeting, to make the initial decisions as a group. Vote on a regular meeting time and plan goals for the year. Recruit parents willing to help with additional duties, such as cookie inventory or chaperones for trips. Have these parents complete paperwork authorizing background checks to receive permission to work with the troop.

Boy Scouts

1. Read the policies and guidelines set forth by the Boy Scouts of America. You must promise to adopt these as part of your troop.

2. Recruit two other adults to serve as an organizing committee. This committee guides the process of forming the troop and helps recruit adults to serve as leaders and volunteers. Decide which member of the council will serve as the representative to the council and vote at council meetings.

3. Attend the "Fast Start" training to learn about the Boy Scout organization and bylaws.

4. Plan the troop's agenda. The Boy Scouts of America organization requires that your troop maintains a plan at least three months ahead of time.

5. Recruit children and parents through advertising at your local school or church. Invite them to an organizational meeting.

6. Hold the organizational meeting. Have the parents fill out the required paperwork for their children to join and pay the dues. Also recruit adult volunteers. The parents who wish to volunteer will have to undergo background checks. Turn in the paperwork, along with the dues, to the local council.

7. Conduct the first troop meeting, and hold additional meetings and events according to the troop's agenda.

References

• Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana: Daisy Troop Start-Up Kit
• Girl Scout River Valleys: Start a New Troop
• Boy Scouts of America Circle 10 Council: Start a Troop

Resources

• Girl Scouts: Volunteer Essentials 2011-2012
• Boy Scouts of America: About the BSA