NEW-UNIT APPLICATION
Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America
Its purpose is to promote, through cooperation with other agencies, the ability of youth to do things for themselves and others, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues. In achieving this purpose, emphasis is placed upon its educational program and the oaths, promises, and codes for character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness.
Pack
Cub Scouting is for parents, leaders, and organizations to use with boys who are in the first through fifth grade or are 7 years of age and not yet 11.
Troop
Boy Scouting is an educational program filled with fun and adventure that appeals to boys. Boys must be at least 11 years of age or have completed the fifth grade, or have earned the Arrow of Light Award and, in any case, not have reached age 18.
Team
Varsity Scouting is a program designed to assist your organization in meeting the needs and interests of older boys. Boys must be 14 years of age or graduates of the eighth grade and not yet age 18.
Venturing Crew/Ship
Venturing will help your organization meet the needs, desires, and concerns of young adults. They must be at least 14 years of age and have completed the eighth grade or be 15 years of age and not yet 21.
A CHARTERED ORGANIZATION
The Chartered Organization selects one of its members to register as chartered organization representative who may also serve as chairman or as unit committee member if needed. All units must have a unit leader and a minimum of five paid youth. There must be at least three committee members, with one named chairman. Packs must have a den leader/Webelos den leader and it is recommended that a person be selected as the Tiger Cub coach who should be registered as an adult in the pack. The chartered organization also provides meeting facilities for the unit. No one may register in more than one position in the same unit, except the chartered organization representative.
Unit Charter Fee.Units are required to pay an annual charter fee of $20. This fee shall be submitted with the unit's charter application and will help defray the expenses for the general liability insurance program. These fees will raise approximately 25 percent of the funds required to maintain insurance coverage for all chartered organizations and leaders.
Chartered Organization Certification. The executive officer of the chartered organization, by signature, certifies that the organization approves the charter application. The executive officer also certifies that the organization has approved all registering unit adults. The responsibility for approval of unit adults can also be given to the chartered organization representative. The chartered organization certifies that all registered adults: subscribe to the declaration of religious principle, policy of nondiscrimination, and Scout Oath or Promise; agree to abide by the Charter, Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America; and are U. S. citizens (or have declared intention or are otherwise qualified) and meet age requirements as follows.
Packs- All leaders must be 21 years of age except assistants, who must be at least 18 years of age. Tiger Cub adult partners must be at least 18 years of age.
Troops- Assistant Scoutmasters may be 18. All other adults in the troop must be 21.
Teams- Varsity Scout Coaches must be at least 21 years old. Assistant Varsity Scout Coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
Crews/Ships- All leaders must be 21 years old.
YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL TROUGH THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA:
1. Helps you organize your unit.
- Provides unit committee with proven and accepted methods to recruit leadership.
- Outlines suggested procedures to recruit youth.
- Conducts organization meetings.
- Shares in approval process for unit leaders.
2. Provides training opportunities for your Scouting leaders.
3. Provides year-round help.
- Leader roundtables
- Commissioner service
- Concerned district personnel
- Special activities and events
4. Maintains a council service center
- Program helps
- Latest edition of literature
- Professional staff assistance
INSTRUCTIONS
Program. Indicate program by placing an "X" in the appropriate box on the application.
Unit Leader Certification. The unit leader certifies on individual applications that each member meets the age and gender requirements as follows.
- Packs- The Cubmaster certifies that each boy is in the first through fifth grade, or is 7 years of age and not yet 11, and that each boy has parental consent.
- Troops- The Scoutmaster certifies that each boy is at least 11 years of age, or has completed the fifth grade, or has earned the Arrow of Light Award, and is not yet 18 and has parental consent.
- Teams- The Coach certifies that each boy has completed the eighth grade or is 14 years of age and not yet 18 and has parental consent.
- Crews/Ships- The Advisor/Skipper certifies that each crew or ship youth member has completed the eighth grade and is at least 14 or 15 years of age and not yet 21. The youth in these units may be male or female.
For units Serving People with Special Needs. Please use one of the following disability codes when registering a unit with members who have special needs.
- V- Visual
- E- Emotional
- H- Hearing
- M- Mentally retarded
- O- Orthopedic
- D- Developmental
- L- Learning Disabled
Special interest Venturing Units. Insert the proper special-interest code.
Policy of Nondiscrimination. Membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all boys and young adults who meet the joining requirements. Membership in Scouting, advancement, and achievement of leadership in Scouting units are open to all youth without regard to race or ethnic background and are based entirely upon individual merit.
The following link contains an unofficial facsimile of the New-Unit Application Form:
Last Revised 9/3/02
John D. McCarthy