Scouts BSA Troop Options
Scouts BSA troop options now include traditional all-boy or all-girl troops, linked troops (separate boy/girl troops sharing admin), and a newer Family Troop model. While traditional all-boy and all-girl troops remain the primary model for most units, the Family Troop option provides local organizations with the flexibility to meet the needs of their specific communities and families.
- Effective December 15, 2025, Scouting America has officially introduced the Family Troop as a third chartering option for Scouts BSA. This model allows a Chartered Organization to operate a single troop serving both boys and girls under one unit number, with one Troop Committee and one Scoutmaster.
Key Operational Requirements for Family Troops
A Family Troop is a unified unit, but it must adhere to the following safety and structural standards set by Scouting America:
- Patrol Formation: Carefully choose a patrol structure that meets the values of your organization and the needs of the families.
- Unified Leadership: The troop operates under a single Scoutmaster and one Troop Committee.
- Safeguarding Youth (SYT): At least one registered female adult leader (age 21 or older) must be present for any activity involving female youth. All leaders must maintain current SYT training credentials.
- Chartered Organization Authority: The decision to adopt the Family Troop model rests solely with the Chartered Organization.
How to Transition to a Family Troop
If your Chartered Organization and Unit Committee have determined that a Family Troop is the best fit for your Scouts, follow these steps to formalize the transition:
Utilize the Family Troop Decision Guide and Best Practices documents to facilitate a discussion between your Unit Key-3 and your Chartered Organization.
The Chartered Organization Representative (COR) must formally approve the change in unit structure.
Complete the Intent to Convert to a Family Troop form. This form must be signed by the COR and submitted to the NNJC Registrar as soon as possible to update your unit’s status in the national database.
Next Steps Checklist: Transitioning to a Scouts BSA Family Troop
This checklist is designed to help your Unit Key-3 and Chartered Organization navigate the administrative and operational requirements for converting to a Family Troop.
- Review the Official Documentation: Download and read the Family Troop Decision Guide and Family Troop Best Practices from the NNJC website.
- Hold a Committee Meeting: Discuss how the Family Troop model aligns with your unit’s goals, recruitment needs, and current leadership capacity.
- Consult your Chartered Organization: Meet with your Chartered Organization Representative (COR) to explain the model and secure their approval to change the unit’s charter type.
- Assess Safeguarding Youth (SYT) Compliance: Ensure the unit can meet the requirement of having at least one registered female leader (21+) present for all activities involving female youth.
- Complete the “Intent to Convert” Form: Fill out the Intent to Convert to a Family Troop form in its entirety.
- Secure Signatures: Ensure the form is signed by the Chartered Organization Representative (COR), Committee Chair, and Scoutmaster.
- Submit to Council: Send the completed and signed form to the NNJC Registrar at the Council Service Center to update your unit’s status in the national database.
- Verify Membership Roster: Once the conversion is processed, verify your unified roster in Member Manager and Scoutbook.
- Patrol Formation: Carefully choose a patrol structure that meets the values of your organization and the needs of the families.
- Update Unit Bylaws: If your unit maintains written bylaws, update them to reflect the new unified structure and any changes to leadership roles.
- Communicate with Families: Hold a parent meeting to explain the new structure, leadership expectations, and how the program will operate under the Family Troop model.
Official Resources & Downloads
Questions?
For specific questions regarding your unit’s registration status or the conversion process, please contact the NNJC Council Registrar at the Council Service Center.
