4 30584 NEW-UNIT APPLICATION SKU 625493 30176 7 524-402 2015 Printing Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America Boys must be under the age of 18 and at least Its purpose is to promote, through cooperation 11, or have completed the fifth grade and be Cub Scouting with other agencies, the ability of youth to do at least 10 years old, or have earned the Arrow Varsity Scouting things for themselves and others, and to teach of Light Award in Cub Scouting and be at least them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kin- 10 years old. dred virtues. In achieving this purpose, empha- sis is placed upon its educational program and Team the oaths, promises, and codes for character Varsity Scouting is a program designed to assist development, citizenship training, and mental your organization in meeting the needs and and physical fitness. interests of older boys. Boys must be at least age 14 and not yet age 18. Pack Cub Scouting is for parents, leaders, and orga- NEW-UNIT APPLICATION nizations to use with boys who are in the first Venturing Crew/Ship through fifth grade or are 7 through 10 years old. Venturing will help your organization meet the needs, desires, and concerns of young Troop adults. Young men and women must be ages Boy Scouting is an educational program filled 14 through 20, or 13 with the completion of the with fun and adventure that appeals to boys. eighth grade. Boy Scouting Venturer/Sea Scout A CHARTERED ORGANIZATION The chartered organization selects one of its • Troops—Assistant Scoutmasters may be 18. All 3. Chartered organizations must not use the members to register as chartered organiza- other adults in the troop must be at least 21. Scouting program to pursue any objec- tion representative who may also serve as chair • Teams—Varsity Scout Coaches must be at least tives related to political or social advocacy, or as unit committee member if needed. All 21 years old. Assistant Varsity Scout Coaches including partisan politics, support of or units must have a unit leader and a minimum must be at least 18 years old. opposition to government action, or con- of five paid youth. There must be at least three troversial legal, political, or social issues committee members, with one named chair. • Crews/Ships—All leaders must be at least 21 or causes. years old. Packs must have a den leader/Webelos den 4. Chartered organizations must not use their leader/Tiger leader who should be registered chartered organization affiliation or the Scout- CHARTERED ORGANIZATION USE OF THE as an adult in the pack. The chartered organi- ing brand as a means to imply Scouting’s SCOUTING PROGRAM: zation also provides meeting facilities for the endorsement of the objectives of their organiza- unit. No one may register in more than one 1. Chartered organizations must use the Scout- tion except with respect to youth development position in the same unit, except the chartered ing program to accomplish their objectives consistent with the goals and objectives of the organization representative. in a manner consistent with the Bylaws, Rules Scouting program. Unit Liability Insurance Fee. Units are required to and Regulations, guidelines, policies, and other publications available on the BSA national 5. Chartered organizations must not use the pay an annual unit liability insurance fee of $40. Scouting program to obtain financial support This fee must be submitted with the unit’s char- website, located at http://www.scouting.org/ membership/charter_orgs/resources.aspx. or assistance except as authorized for the char- ter application and will help defray the expenses tered unit. for the general liability insurance program. These • The Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts fees will raise approximately 25 percent of the of America 6. To your knowledge, has your organization, or funds required to maintain insurance cover- • The Mission of the Boy Scouts of America anyone currently employed or affiliated with it who will be interacting with youth, ever been age for all chartered organizations, leaders, and • The Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts the subject of an order arising out of the abuse ScoutParent unit coordinators. of America of another person or been convicted of a crime Chartered Organization Certification. The exec- • The Scout Oath and the Scout Law, including or the subject of an alternative to criminal utive officer of the chartered organization, by sig- Duty to God proceedings for conduct involving: violence nature, certifies that the organization approves • BSA Youth Protection policies and guidelines, or any type of abuse of another person; pos- the charter application. The executive officer including mandatory reporting session, manufacture, or distribution of illegal also certifies that the organization has approved • The Guide to Safe Scouting substances or pornography; or other act that all registering unit adults. The responsibility for • The Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety would disqualify them under state law or call approval of unit adults can also be given to the • Scouter Code of Conduct into question their suitability in working with chartered organization representative. The char- youth? tered organization certifies that all registered • Chartered Organization Agreement __________Yes __________No adults: agree to abide by the Scout Oath and the 2. Chartered organizations must utilize the Scout- Scout Law, the Declaration of Religious Principle, ing program to accomplish specific objectives 7. The Boy Scouts of America requires that all the policy of nondiscrimination, and the Charter related to one or more of the following: chartered organizations, adult leaders, adult and Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations of the • Youth character development program participants, and youth members Boy Scouts of America; agree to respect and obey subscribe to the Declaration of Religious Prin- • Career skill development the laws of the United States of America, and to ciple, or “duty to God,” as set forth in the Bylaws meet age requirements as follows: • Community service of the Boy Scouts of America as follows. • Patriotism and military and • Packs—All leaders must be at least 21 years of Clause 1. The Boy Scouts of America maintains veteran recognition age except assistants, who must be at least 18 that no member can grow into the best kind years of age. Tiger adult partners must be at • Faith-based youth ministry of citizen without recognizing an obligation least 18 years of age. to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath the member declares, “On my honor I will do my Scout Law, reading, “Reverent. A Scout is rever- YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL THROUGH best to do my duty to God and my country ent toward God. He is faithful in his religious THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA: and to obey the Scout Law.” The recognition duties. He respects the beliefs of others.” 1. Helps you organize your unit. of God as the ruling and leading power in the Does your organization accept and agree to • Provides unit committee with proven and universe and the grateful acknowledgment of abide by the Declaration of Religious Principle, accepted methods to recruit leadership. His favors and blessings are necessary to the or duty to God? best type of citizenship and are wholesome • Outlines suggested procedures to recruit precepts in the education of the growing mem- __________Yes __________No youth. bers. No matter what the religious faith of the All new organizations applying for a charter • Conducts organization meetings. members may be, this fundamental need of must have an approved code issued by the • Shares in approval process for unit leaders. good citizenship should be kept before them. National Council. As a private organization, the 2. Provides training opportunities for your The Boy Scouts of America, therefore, recog- Boy Scouts of America is the sole arbiter of Scouting leaders. nizes the religious element in the training of whether it will issue a charter to any organiza- the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian tion. The Boy Scouts of America may deny a 3. Provides year-round help. in its attitude toward that religious training. Its charter for any reason or revoke a previously • Leader roundtables policy is that the home and the organization issued charter for failure to abide by these • Commissioner service or group with which the member is connected guidelines. • Concerned district personnel shall give definite attention to religious life. • Special activities and events Clause 2. The activities of the members of 4. Maintains a council service center. the Boy Scouts of America shall be carried on under conditions which show respect to the • Program resources convictions of others in matters of custom and • Latest editions of literature religion, as required by the twelfth point of the • Professional staff assistance INSTRUCTIONS Program. Indicate program by placing an ‘‘X’’ in the appropriate box on For Units Serving People With Special Needs. Please use one of the follow- the application. ing disability codes when registering a unit with a majority of members Unit Leader Certification. The unit leader certifies on individual appli- who have special needs. cations that each member meets the age and gender requirements Mentally Disabled Physically Disabled as follows: Special Interest A special-interest code and description should be • Packs—The Cubmaster certifies that each boy is in the first entered for units with a special interest. Use the following descrip- through fifth grade, or is 7 through 10 years old and that each boy has tions and codes: traditional program, code 0413; Soccer and Scouting, parental consent. code 0414; and Scoutreach, code 0418. • Troops—The Scoutmaster certifies that each boy is under the age of 18 Policy of Nondiscrimination. Membership in the Boy Scouts of America or at least 11, or has completed the fifth grade and is at least 10 years is open to all boys and young adults who meet the joining require- old, or has earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old.