Hey there, future Eagle Scout! Are you ready to take charge of your Scouting journey?
On this page, I’ve grouped all of my best articles to help support you through whatever stage of Scouting you’re at! Welcome to the ScoutSmarts Master List. Are you trying to plan awesome troop activities, earn merit badges, or coordinate your Eagle project? Here, you can find all of that covered and more! 🙂
Here’s a quick table of contents that’ll let you quickly jump to the section most relevant to you:
Getting Started
Advancing In Scouting
However, I’d highly recommend skimming through each topic title, and reading/bookmarking everything that interests you. As an Eagle Scout myself, I’ve found that one of the best ways to make the most of your time in Scouting is to be prepared, beforehand — and share what you’ve learned with your troop!
To kick things off, let’s first dive into the key things that any new Scout or Scouting family should know when starting out:
Part 1: Getting Started In Scouting
When Joining Scouting (What To Know)
In the above video, I discuss the 5 key benefits that any Scout can look forward to on their trail to Eagle. If you need any motivation to embark on an amazing Scouting journey, this is it! Below are some other super-helpful articles that should clear up any confusion for new Scouts just beginning their adventure.
- Everything To Know Before Joining Scouts BSA
- How Long It Takes To Become An Eagle Scout & Requirements To Know About⚜️
- The Advantages And Value Of Earning Your Eagle Scout Rank
- Scouting Expenses To Expect: Fees, Gear, Uniforms, And More
- 6 Tips To Stay Motivated In Scouting (And Rank Up!)⚜️
Last but not least, below I have a video on the 5 lessons I wish I had learned before becoming a Scout. If you put these tips into practice, I’m confident that you’ll have an even smoother and more fun-filled experience in Scouting. Be sure to check it out!
Having A Great Outing
- The Essential Camping Packing List: A Scout’s Trek Gear Checklist⚜️
- Scout Camping Activities: 5 Outdoor Games Your Troop Will Love
- Scout Camp Planning: Schedules, Activities, And Gear⚜️
- Scout Camp Duty Rosters: Your Ultimate Guide (With Templates)
- Scout Backpacking 101: How To Prepare For A Troop Trek
- How To Choose The Right Footwear For Scouting: A Simple Guide
- The 5 Best Scouting Trail Snacks: Easy, Tasty, Healthy Troop Trek Food
- 4 Key Boy Scout Camp Cooking Tips (Plus A Dutch Oven Recipe)
- 61 Amazing Troop Camping Tips And Hacks (From Real Scouts)⚜️
Outings like camps, hikes, and backpacking treks are some of the most memorable parts of Scouting! In these articles, you’ll learn everything necessary to have a fun and safe time. Whether it’s gear, cooking techniques, or camp setup, I’ve got you covered. 🙂
Resources For A Successful Troop
- The Value And Benefits of Scouting (58 Highlights From Real Scouts and Scoutmasters)⚜️
- BSA Scout Recruiting: A Simple Guide To Growing Your Troop
- BSA Troop Retention: Your Guide For Keeping Scouts Involved And Having Fun
- 10 Reasons Why Scouting Matters (Now More Than Ever)⚜️
- Cub Scouts vs. BSA Scouts: What’s Different? What’s Similar?
- BSA Individual Scout Accounts (From Fundraising): Everything To Know
- EVERY Boy Scout Troop Leadership Position Explained⚜️
- How To Master The Patrol Method (4 Keys To Success)
Troop Meetings And Activity Guides
- The Best Troop Meeting Activities: 7 Fun Ideas For Scouts And Patrols⚜️
- How to Hold a Proper Flag Ceremony (According to Scouts BSA)
- BSA Scout Uniform Inspections: A Troop’s Ultimate Guide
- Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings: Agenda, FAQ, And Tips
- How To Hold A Great Troop Planning Conference (A Scout’s Simple Guide)
- How To Hold A SPL (And Patrol Leader) Swearing-In Ceremony
- How To Hold A Successful Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Election⚜️
- Your Guide To Starting A Legendary New Patrol (Must Know)
Moving on, here are my best resources aimed at empowering you to help your troop run more smoothly! Whether you’re planning meeting activities, trying to recruit more Scouts, or trying to get the new families in your troop up to speed, these articles are here to help. 🙂
Also, below I’ve added a video detailing the 5 things I think every Scouting parent should know once their child becomes a BSA Scout (especially if they were previously in Cub Scouts). Setting accurate expectations for parents is so important for a Scout’s success, so try to communicate proactively!
Scouting Fun
- Clean Boy Scout Jokes: The 17 Funniest Jokes To Tell Your Troop😂
- Why Do Scouts Wear Neckerchief Scarfs? (And Their Symbolism)
- A Brief History and Timeline of Scouting⚜️
- The Fleur-de-Lis And Its History In Scouting
- The 12 Scout Laws (And What You Need to Know About Them)
- Merit Badge Sash Hacks: 4 Quick and Easy Ways to Attach a Patch⚜️
- 9 Signs You’ll Be Successful In Scouting
- How To Be Prepared To Join The Order Of The Arrow (OA)
- The Importance And History Of The Scouting Uniform⚜️
- Can Girls Thrive In Scouts BSA? Nicole’s Scouting Success Story⚜️
- 17 Best Movies For Citizenship In The Community – Merit Badge
- How to Hold A Scoutmaster Or SPL Troop Minute (With Examples)
- Scouting Around The World: Facts, Countries Involved, And History⚜️
- Understanding The BSA Scout Oath: Facts, History, And Meaning
- How To Sing Scout Vespers (With Lyrics Plus a Video)
- The Cost Of Scout Popcorn (An Eagle Scout’s Perspective)
- Skits For Scouting: 7 Simple And Fun Troop&Pack Comedy Skits😂
In this section, you’ll find all of my best miscellaneous articles that’ll help to boost your Scouting knowledge (and enjoyment)! Do you want to learn hilarious Scout jokes, discover the best way to attach a patch, or understand Scouting’s rich history? You can find all that and more right here!
Next, in the fun video below, you can check out my difficulty rankings for each Eagle-required merit badge (except Citizenship in Society, but that’s around C-tier difficulty). Afterward, I’ll be helping you out will all of my best resources for ranking up, completing merit badges, and stepping up as a leader!
Part 2: Advancing In Scouting
My TrailMap To Eagle Course
Before we dive into my best articles aimed at helping you to learn and advance along your Scouting journey, I wanted to quickly tell you about the TrailMap To Eagle course. In it, you’ll learn my ultimate system for quickly and easily ranking up to Eagle, stress-free! To learn more, check out my video below!
While my TrailMap To Eagle course isn’t free like all of my other articles here, I’m confident that the invaluable lessons covered there will put you on the fast track to earning Eagle! If you’d like to check it out (and support the work I’m doing here along the way!), you can purchase my course here. 🙂
Scouting Skills And Safety Chips
- How To Tie The Required Scouting Knots (With Practical Uses)⚜️
- Your Ultimate Guide To The BSA Swim Test
- Earning The Scouts BSA Totin’ Chip: Your Ultimate Guide
- Earning The Scouts BSA Firem’n Chit (Fireman Chip)
- Earning The Scouts BSA Cyber Chip (Grades 6-12)
- How To Demonstrate Scout Spirit (And What It Really Means)
Next up, we have articles on Scouting skills and safety chips. Pay extra close attention to these resources! By mastering these skills and internalizing the safety lessons you’ll learn along the way, you’re preparing yourself for almost any Scouting adventure. This is where the real fun begins! 😀
Ranking Up: Tenderfoot->First Class
- 37 Essential Tips For BSA/Boy Scouts (From An Eagle Scout)⚜️
- Earning Tenderfoot Rank: A Scout’s Ultimate Guide
- Earning Second Class Rank: A Scout’s Ultimate Guide
- Earning First Class Rank: A Scout’s Ultimate Guide
- Scoutmaster’s Conference Preparation (With Example Questions!)
- The FASTEST Way To Reach Eagle Scout: A 2-Year Timeline⚜️
Earning Merit Badges The Right Way
- Everything You Should Know About Merit Badges (Plus, How To Earn Them FAST)
- Scouting’s Easiest And Hardest Eagle-Required Merit Badges (How To Earn All Of Them)⚜️
- How To Organize Merit Badge Counseling Meetings (The Right Way)
- The 3 Easiest Merit Badges To Earn⚜️
- 7 Fun and Interesting Merit Badges To Earn At Home Or By Yourself
- The Eagle-Required Merit Badge Difficulty Rankings (Plus, My Ultimate Guides For Each Badge!)⚜️
Ranking up and earning merit badges will be your road to personal growth (and earning Eagle) in Scouting. These resources are aimed at helping you along the path! I’d especially recommend checking out my ultimate guides, as they walk you through learning tricky requirements in step-by-step detail!
Stepping Up As A Leader
- Leadership in Scouting: A Scout’s Ultimate Guide⚜️
- How To Be An Amazing Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)
- Patrol Leader Responsibilities (Tips From An Eagle Scout)
- What A Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Does: Duties, Tips, And Advice
- The 5 Steps To Winning A Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Election⚜️
- Writing An Election-Winning Senior Patrol Leader Speech: A Full Guide
- 5 Simple Tips For Being An Amazing Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
- 5 Helpful Ways To Lead Difficult Scouts (Without Being Too Mean!)
- 5 Common Mistakes You’re Probably Making as a Scout Leader⚜️
Leadership Is one of the most important real-life skills that you’ll learn in Scouting. By becoming a dependable, smart, and confident leader, you’ll help each Scout in your troop to safely have wonderful Scouting experiences! Make sure to check out these resources to learn my best Scout leadership tips.
Part 3: Earning Eagle
Once you’ve reached First Class rank and gotten a handle on earning merit badges, you’re officially a very experienced Scout. Don’t take your foot off the gas just yet though — the fun is just beginning! In this section, you’ll learn how to keep advancing, plan your Eagle Scout service project, and finish strong. 😀
Personally, the journey between First Class to Life rank was one of my favorite parts of Scouting! As you keep advancing, make sure to remain enthusiastic and enjoy the ride. Also, you truly are an “older Scout” now, so you have the power to change your troop for the better. Definitely make the most of this time!
Planning Your Eagle Scout Project
- 99 Amazing And Creative Eagle Scout Project Ideas⚜️
- How To Plan An Eagle Scout Project: An Easy 5-Step Guide⚜️
- How Much An Eagle Scout Project Costs (With Example Budgets!)
- Eagle Scout Project Fundraising: Tips, Methods, And Guidelines
- What’s An Eagle Project Coach: Facts, Myths, And Official Info
- A Full Guide To Leading And Running Your Eagle Scout Project⚜️
Finishing Out Your Eagle Scout Rank
Planning and running an impact-oriented Eagle Scout service project will be the culmination of your entire Scouting experience! Years later, I still vividly remember my own Eagle project, and I’m sure you’ll remember yours as well. Plus, once finished, you’ll be soooo close to claiming your Eagle Scout rank!
Eagle Scout COH And Beyond
- The 6 Key Steps To Planning An Eagle Scout Court of Honor (COH)⚜️
- 5 Steps To Running An Incredible Eagle Scout Court of Honor
- Scoutmaster And Troop Leader Thank You Gifts: 21 Unique Ideas⚜️
- Eagle Scout Court of Honor Gifts (Plus, what NOT to get)
- 5 Ways to Stay Involved in Scouting After Earning Eagle⚜️
You’ve done it! At this point, all of your hard work will pay off. You’ve finally reached the Eagle rank and are now an Eagle Scout — for life! Now, all that’s left is to plan your Eagle Court of Honor and pay it forward, having become a much more capable, moral person thanks to all the lessons you learned in Scouting. 😀
Conclusion
As a Scout, I always dreamt of a resource that would help me through every step of my Scouting journey. Sort of like a virtual older Scout buddy, it’d have walkthroughs on tricky requirements, insider Scouting tips, and inspirational content that would help my troop stay motivated on their paths to Eagle.
Just shy of 3 years ago, ScoutSmarts.com went from just a hopeful idea to an actual website! Since then, I’ve had the honor to connect with so many Scouts, Scouters, and Scouting families to hear their stories. I feel so blessed to have created this resource, and helped not only you and the current Scouting community, but also future generations of Scouts to come! I can’t thank you enough for joining me on this incredible journey.
There you have it! I hope my master list of articles can help you time and time again throughout your time in Scouts BSA, as Scouting truly does change lives for the better. Thanks so much for reading, as well as for all the good you’ve done and will do for our world. Until next time, I’m wishing you all the best on your upcoming Scouting (and life!) journeys. 🙂
Yours in Scouting,
-Cole