Boy Scouts of America® Calcasieu Area Council

Join Scouting

Be Prepared - It is more than a motto.  It is a way of life!

We are so excited that you are here!  This page will provide you some basic information about joining Scouting as well as information on where to go next for help.  We have several public events in the next 6 weeks all around our Council and you are welcome to join us there to get more information and register as well.

If you already understand the Scouting program, we would suggest you click here to find the unit that is closest to you based on your zip code.  If there are multiple units, there should be notes about which school population the unit serves, so your Scout will end up with friends from school in their unit.  Please go to https://beascout.scouting.org/ to get started.  We are also happy to help you locally.  Please use the following contacts here at the Calcasieu Area Council and we will be glad to help you find a unit in your area.

Are you new to Scouting?  

Let's get you some information on how Scouting works and what to expect.

Why Join Scouting?

For more than 100 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.

The Boy Scouts of America provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to

• Try new things.
• Provide service to others.
• Build self-confidence.
• Reinforce ethical standards.

While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.

Scouting provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. It is communicated to them that those in the Scouting family care about what happens to them, regardless of whether a game is won or lost.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be made.

Since 1910, Scouting has helped mold the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes and, through more than a century of experience, understands that helping youth puts us on a path toward a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

Scouting, with programs for young men and women, helps meet these six essential needs of the young people growing up in our society:

• Mentoring
• Lifelong Learning
• Faith Traditions
• Serving Others
• Healthy Living
• Building Character

What program should my youth join?

Cub Scouts - Youth Grades K - 5  When you’re a kid, fun comes first. Final exams, driver’s ed and summer jobs will arrive soon enough. Cub Scouts lets kids have fun while teaching them skills that will help them later on. From the thrill of shooting an arrow to learning how to transform a block of wood into a race car, Cub Scouts is one thrill after another. With a program expertly tailored to match each age in a young child’s life, Cub Scouts learn that even when fun isn’t easy, it’s always an adventure. In Scouting, everything has a purpose. And it shows kids that doing their best is the most fun of all.  Cub Scout units are divided by gender and by grade in school.  They all meet together in a group called a Pack once a month and for campouts and other functions.  

Scouts, BSA - Youth Aged 11-17 - With more than 130 Merit Badges—from Archery and Art to Welding and Wilderness Survival—Scouting is the ultimate form of learning by doing. Scouts explore their interests and improve their skills while working toward Scouting’s highest rank: Eagle. By first imagining, planning then doing their own service projects, Scouts learn the value of hard work, and experience the thrill of seeing it pay off.
Add in outdoor adventures, hiking and camping, and Scouting gives youth experience that will benefit them throughout their life.  Boys and girls are separated into individual units.  At times, all Scouts, BSA youth attend activities together, but week by week activities are just with their own single gender group.  These individual units are called Troops.  

Venturing/Sea Scouts/Explorers - Youth Aged 14-20 - These unique programs provide specific adventures or occupational specialities for our older youth.  These programs are Co-Ed.  All teens have one—a moment that opens their eyes to a world that’s bigger than they ever imagined. It might happen while paddling a quiet lake, bonding with new friends around a beach bonfire, or rising to the challenge of leading an exhausted crew to the edges of adventure. Venturing gives young men and women access to a range of programs and empowers them to create their own experiences. It brings Scouting values to life through both high adventure outdoor activities and challenging real-world projects. Sea Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women ages 14 to 20. For over 100 years Sea Scouting has promoted better citizenship and improved members’ boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social, service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage. Exploring provides exciting activities and one-on-one mentorship for youth looking to discover their future. Whether you’re a local organization looking to strengthen the community or a young person wanting to uncover the possibilities of your future, Exploring is a great place to start.

Where do I sign up?

You can use our online system at beascout.org and use your zip code to find a unit near you.  You can also go to a recruiting event later this fall when we are allowed to recruit at your school.  You can call Jacob or Laura and get help walking through the system.  You can also join us for one of our local community events being held on the weekends this fall.  WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!  Please check back often to see details as they are filled in for times and locations.  We have the dates set but are verifying locations now with each city.

How much does Scouting cost?

To join September 2022 through September 31st 2023,the registration fee is $150 for new Scouts and $91 for adult leaders.  There are uniforms and outings and other expenses as you go along, but we also offer many fundraising programs throughout the year to help a Scout earn their own way.  You will be joining during our popcorn season and we also have two other major fundraisers during the year to help families offset registration fees, program development, record keeping, and the cost of the fun activities that the Scout will experience over the course of the year.

How often do we meet and where?

The schedule of your unit is set by the unit and not the same all across our geographic boundaries.  If the unit closest to you meets on Tuesdays and you cannot, let us know and we can help find you a unit that meets the needs of your family.  Typically, there will be some sort of Scouting activity each week and it is recommended that the Scouts participate in an outdoor event each month as well.  They want to join because they want to go camping, catch fish, shoot bb guns, and more, so we want to make sure they get that chance!  If the first place you try doesn't work for your family and your schedule, there are many other options, so let us know.

Can you remind me again who to call for assistance?

We have heard about Camp Edgewood.  What is that?

The Council has an amazing scout camp that is located on the outskirts of DeQuincy, so a short distance from the majority of our Scouts that is called Camp Edgewood.  We have activities for all ages at the camp and it gives us the opportunity to fulfill the promise of Scouting to our youth.  This 282 acre property is hosts over 90 buildings with a lake for water activites, shooting ranges and more to host our Scouts in their adventures.  Our first event will be held September 24th.  It is a Cub Scout Shooting Day and Bobcat day so Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts can earn their Bobcat badge while have fun at Camp!  After that, we will host everyone for Cub Haunted Weekend October 21-23.  Get outside and camp with your Pack while enjoying Halloween themed activities.

We look forward to seeing you soon!  Please reach out if you have questions or need assistance signing your Scouts up for this amazizng program!