Find Scouting Near You
Scouting America Greater Boston serves communities throughout the Greater Boston area.
Local Cub Scout packs, Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, and Exploring programs meet in schools, community centers, houses of worship, Scout facilities, and other neighborhood locations.
Finding a program near you is easy.
Step 1 - Enter your ZIP code to find local Scout groups.
Step 2 - Review the programs available for your child's age.
Step 3 - Contact the group, attend a meeting, or complete the online registration process.
Step 4 - Start your Scouting adventure!
Join Scouts
Adventure Starts Here
Scouting gives young people the chance to try new things, build confidence, make friends, develop leadership skills, and discover what they can accomplish.
From their first campfire to their first leadership role, Scouts learn by doing. Along the way, they gain practical skills, serve their communities, explore the outdoors, and create memories that can last a lifetime.
There is a place in Scouting for your family.
Find the Right Scouting Program
Scouting offers age-appropriate programs designed to grow with your child.
Cub Scouts
Kindergarten–5th Grade
Cub Scouts is all about fun, family, and discovery.
Children participate in hands-on activities such as hiking, camping, building projects, science experiments, games, community service, and outdoor adventures. Families are encouraged to participate together, making Cub Scouts a great way to spend meaningful time together while meeting other families in your community.
Cub Scouts can:
- Explore the outdoors
- Learn new skills
- Build and race Pinewood Derby cars
- Go camping
- Complete fun adventures
- Help their community
- Make new friends
- Earn recognition for their accomplishments
Scouts BSA
Ages 11–17
Scouts BSA gives young people greater opportunities for adventure, leadership, independence, and personal growth.
Scouts help plan their own activities, take on leadership responsibilities, participate in outdoor adventures, complete service projects, and develop skills through the Merit Badge program.
Activities may include camping, hiking, climbing, paddling, STEM, first aid, conservation, cooking, high-adventure trips, and much more.
Scouts can also work toward the program's highest achievement: the Eagle Scout rank.
Scouts BSA helps young people develop:
- Leadership
- Confidence
- Responsibility
- Outdoor skills
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving skills
- Community awareness
- Lifelong friendships
Venturing
Ages 14–20
Venturing is a youth-led program for teens and young adults who are looking for adventure, leadership, and new experiences.
Venturing crews can build their programs around the interests of their members, including outdoor adventure, travel, service, leadership, sports, STEM, and other activities.
Exploring
Ages 14–20
Exploring helps young people learn more about potential careers through hands-on experiences with professionals in their communities.
Exploring programs may focus on career fields such as:
- Fire and emergency services
- Law enforcement
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Aviation
- Skilled trades
- Business
- Technology
- And more
Exploring is a great opportunity for teens to experience a career field before deciding what comes next.
Why Join Scouting?
Kids need places where they can belong, try something new, make mistakes, succeed, and discover what they are capable of doing.
Scouting provides those opportunities in a supportive environment.
Adventure
Scouts get outside and experience activities they may not encounter anywhere else. Depending on the program, that can include camping, hiking, fishing, climbing, swimming, paddling, cycling, shooting sports, nature exploration, and high-adventure experiences.
Leadership
Scouting gives young people real opportunities to lead. As they grow, Scouts learn how to make decisions, work with a team, solve problems, and take responsibility.
Life Skills
Scouts learn practical skills they can use throughout their lives, including first aid, cooking, communication, financial responsibility, citizenship, emergency preparedness, and outdoor skills.
Service
Helping other people is an important part of Scouting. Scouts participate in service projects that strengthen neighborhoods, schools, parks, food pantries, conservation areas, and other community organizations.
Friendship
Scouting brings young people together through shared experiences. Many Scouts build friendships that continue well beyond their time in the program.
Scouting Is for Families
You do not need any previous Scouting experience to join.
Local Scout groups are made up of families from your community, and volunteers help guide the program. New families are welcomed throughout the year.
Whether your child loves the outdoors, STEM, sports, building things, helping others, traveling, learning new skills, or simply spending time with friends, there are opportunities to find something they enjoy in Scouting.
What Does Scouting Cost?
Costs vary by local Scout group and program.
Typical expenses may include national and local registration fees, uniforms, handbooks, activities, camping, or other optional programs.
Many Scout groups also offer fundraising opportunities that can help families offset the cost of activities.
Do not let cost prevent you from asking about Scouting. Contact us or your local Scout group to learn more about available options.
What Is the Time Commitment?
Scouting is designed to fit alongside school, sports, clubs, and family activities.
Most local Scout groups meet regularly throughout the school year and offer additional activities, service projects, camping trips, and special events.
Families can choose the level of participation that works best for them.
Do Parents Need to Volunteer?
Family involvement is especially important in Cub Scouts, while older youth gradually take on more responsibility for leading their own program.
Scouting is supported by adult volunteers, and there are many ways parents and other adults can help—from assisting at an occasional event to serving as a registered leader.
No previous Scouting experience is required. Training and resources are available.
Not Sure Where to Start?
We can help connect your family with the right Scouting opportunity.
Whether you have questions about age requirements, local programs, registration, volunteering, or what to expect at your first meeting, our team is happy to help.
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Ready to Join?
Adventure. Friendship. Leadership. Service. Confidence.
It all starts with one decision.
Find a Scout group near you and start your adventure today.