Whether you’re a Scout trying to figure out which merit badge to tackle next, an SPL scrambling to plan a troop meeting, or a parent trying to help your kid navigate the path to Eagle, the truth is that Scouting comes with a lot of moving pieces. Sometimes, having the right tool or resource at the right time can make all the difference.
To learn more about what Scouts actually need, in the latest edition of the ScoutSmarts Scribe Newsletter I asked Scouts three questions: (1) “If I could give you one tool or resource that would make your Scouting life easier, what would it be?” (2) “What’s your favorite ScoutSmarts article you’ve read so far, and what made it helpful (or memorable)?” and (3) “When you’re not here, what other Scouting resources do you follow or trust?” Their responses might help you to find your next helpful resource or path forward!
In this article, I’ll share the tools and resources Scouts want most, the ScoutSmarts articles that have made the biggest impact, and where Scouts go when they need help beyond this site. Whether you’re a newer Scout just getting started or a veteran leader looking for fresh ideas, there’s something here for everyone!
What Survey Answers Reveal About What Resources Scouts Need
When I looked over your survey responses, a few big patterns jumped out:
- First, the number one request was for troop meeting plans and PLC resources. Scouts and leaders alike are hungry for structured, ready-to-go plans that take the guesswork out of weekly meetings.
- Second, merit badge trackers, printable worksheets, and Eagle project planning tools came up repeatedly, showing that Scouts want better systems to stay organized on their advancement journey.
- Third, when it came to favorite articles, the winners were merit badge exlainers and difficulty guides, especially the Eagle-required badge rankings. Scouts love knowing what to expect so they can plan strategically.
- Finally, when it comes to outside resources, the answers were surprising: many Scouts said ScoutSmarts is their primary resource, with the official Scouting America website, YouTube creators like Scouter Stan, and a handful of Facebook groups rounding out the list.
Let me break down each question and what your answers revealed!
The Tools and Resources Scouts Want Most
Survey Question: “If I could give you one tool or resource that would make your Scouting life easier, what would it be?”
This question got some of the most passionate responses, and a clear theme emerged: Scouts want help with planning. Whether that means troop meeting plans for the PLC, merit badge trackers for personal advancement, or Eagle project checklists, the common thread is that Scouts are looking for practical tools that help them stay organized and confident. I grouped the responses into a few key categories.
Troop Meeting Plans and PLC Support was the single most requested category. Multiple Scouts and leaders described the stress of figuring out what to do at troop meetings, especially when attendance is low and engagement is a challenge.
“Troop meeting plans FOR SURE. We always struggle to come up with good ideas for troop meetings to boost engagement. Many Scouts rarely show up to troop meetings.”
Ethan L.
“Troop meeting plans, so when the PLC plans the meetings and needs to know what is happening at the meeting, they are not scrambling to find out ‘what do I do?'”
Callum C.
“It would be a good meeting plan to make my troop better.”
Neo S.
The message is clear: PLCs need more support with ready-made meeting frameworks!
Merit Badge Trackers, Printable Worksheets, and Advancement Tools came in as the second most popular category. Scouts want tangible, printable resources to keep their progress organized.
“I think merit badge trackers would be nice.”
Grace Z.
“Printable worksheets for advancement and merit badge requirements are an awesome resource that really help! Other things that are useful are merit badge trackers and PLC templates.”
Cate S.
“PLC, Core Skills Tracker forms.”
Serena G.
Eagle Project Planning Resources also stood out, especially among Scouts who are actively working toward Eagle.
“I could use an Eagle Scout project checklist, as that is something I am struggling with right now.”
Julian O.
“A flow diagram that included all the Eagle badges, minimum nights of camping, leadership position, time associated with the points on the diagram and tidbits about where along the timeline the task is to occur most likely.”
Mandy W.
A couple of creative and unique suggestions also stood out. Dee B. asked for more “skill games,” meaning educational activities that make learning fun during troop meetings. Eliza S. expressed a desire for “an easy-to-use version of TroopWebHost,” highlighting how troop management software can sometimes feel overwhelming. And Fin O. kept it simple with a request for campout packing lists, reminding us that the basics still matter.
A practical takeaway is that if you’re a leader planning troop meetings, start building a simple library of meeting plans that you can rotate through. Even a shared Google Doc with five or six go-to meeting outlines can take the pressure off your PLC. For individual Scouts, creating a personal tracker (even a simple checklist on paper) for your merit badges and rank requirements can help you feel more in control of your advancement.
The ScoutSmarts Articles That Made the Biggest Impact
Survey Question: “What’s your favorite ScoutSmarts article you’ve read so far, and what made it helpful (or memorable)?”
Reading through these responses genuinely made my day. 🙂 The articles that came up most often were the merit badge ranking and difficulty guides, particularly the Eagle-required merit badge rankings and the comprehensive “Every Merit Badge Explained and Ranked” article.
What’s especially cool isn’t just that Scouts read these articles, but how they used them. Scouts described using these rankings to plan strategically, prioritize harder badges, and feel more confident about their advancement timeline.
“Every Merit Badge Explained and Ranked in 2026. It was memorable because it helped me learn more about the different merit badges and which ones to choose to do at summer camps.”
Ethan L.
“My favorite ScoutSmarts article I’ve read is the one where all the Eagle required badges were explained. I really liked it because it gave me an idea of which badges are harder, which helped me decide when to start working on which badges. Additionally, I became aware of the hardest requirements so I could start thinking about what I could do to plan and prepare for them.”
Cate S.
“Eagle required merit badges ranked, since I finished the harder ones first and am almost done.”
Neo S.
“All the merit badges ranked. It helped me figure out what to prioritize.”
Fin O.
The other major category was Eagle project planning guides. Scouts working toward Eagle found comfort and clarity in articles that walked them through the process step by step.
“Ultimate Guide to Planning an Eagle Scout Project. This article was helpful because it gave my Scout a sense of relief that he did not have to know everything right out of the gate. It provided info on what to expect at each point or step. He felt a little calmer knowing that others were sharing their ups and downs about the project process.”
Mandy W.
“My favorite ScoutSmarts article is the 99 Eagle Project Ideas. This was helpful in me finding my Eagle project, as it showed what other Scouts have done before me.”
Julian O.
Several Scouts also mentioned specific merit badge guides. Eli M. and Maya L. both highlighted the Personal Management merit badge guide as particularly helpful. Serena G. praised the detail and linked videos in the merit badge articles, noting that they made teaching courses easier.
Dee B. shared something that really touched me: the article about girls in Scouting helped her understand how Scouts was supposed to work for her, and she credited it with convincing her to stay in Scouts. She recently finished her Eagle project at 14!
On the more zany side, both Callum C. and Eliza S. mentioned enjoying the article about weird and hard-to-find merit badges, proof that Scouts love discovering the unexpected corners of the program.
A takeaway tip is to use my ranking and difficulty guides as planning tools, not just reading material. Before summer camp or a new merit badge season, sit down with a ranking article and map out which badges to tackle based on difficulty, time commitment, and your personal schedule. Knocking out harder badges first (when you have more time and energy) is a strategy that clearly works!
Where Scouts Go Beyond ScoutSmarts
Survey Question: “When you’re not on ScoutSmarts, what other Scouting resources do you follow or trust?”
This question produced one of the most flattering (and humbling) results: a significant number of Scouts said ScoutSmarts is their main or only Scouting resource. While that is incredibly encouraging to hear, it also reinforces my responsibility to keep making this site as helpful and up-to-date as possible. 🙂
“Scouting America’s website, but mainly ScoutSmarts to be honest.”
Grace Z.
“I don’t really follow (or trust) any other resources.”
Ethan L.
“No, JUST SCOUTSMARTS!!”
Neo S.
“I really just use ScoutSmarts.”
Fin O.
For those who do look beyond ScoutSmarts, the most commonly mentioned resources fell into a few categories:
- The official Scouting America website (Scouting.org) was mentioned a few times as a go-to for requirements and official information.
- YouTube creators came up several times, with Scouter Stan, Scouter Mom and individual council YouTube channels like Natchez Trace Council getting shoutouts.
- Facebook groups were popular among adult leaders, with mentions of both troop and Scouts BSA pages.
- Other shotouts included Bryan on Scouting, ScouterLife, Reddit posts, the Scout Handbook, Scoutbook, and the Scouting app.
Several Scouts also emphasized the value of personal connections, highlighting seeking advice from experienced leaders and Scouts. One very smart Scout even credited alumni from her troop as a trusted resource!
From all this info, I’d say a solid takeaway is to build a small personal “resource toolkit” that works for you. The official Scouting America website is great for requirements and policies. YouTube creators like Scouter Stan can offer visual walkthroughs and encouragement. And never underestimate the power of asking an experienced Scout or leader in your own troop for guidance. The best resource is often a real person who has been where you are!
How to Get the Most Out of Your Scouting Resources
Based on everything Scouts shared in this survey, here are some practical ways to level up how you use the resources available to you.
Use Ranking Articles as Planning Tools
One of the clearest takeaways from this survey is that merit badge ranking articles are not just fun to read, they are strategic tools. Scouts like Cate S. and Neo S. used difficulty rankings to plan which badges to tackle first, saving easier ones for busier seasons.
Before your next merit badge season, pull up a ranking guide and map out a plan. Pair harder badges with months when you have more free time, and save lighter ones for when school or sports ramp up.
“Ranking Eagle merit badges based on difficulty helped me plan them and become a Life Scout in 2.5 years.”
Ethan L.
Create Simple Systems for Tracking Progress
Whether you prefer a printed checklist, a spreadsheet, or a notebook, having a system to track your advancement makes everything feel more manageable. Multiple Scouts asked for merit badge trackers and printable worksheets, which tells me that staying organized is a real challenge.
However, you don’t need something fancy. A simple list of your remaining requirements with check boxes can go a long way toward keeping you motivated and on track!
Build Your PLC a Meeting Plan Library
If your troop struggles with meeting planning (and based on these responses, many do), consider building a shared library of meeting outlines. Start with five to ten meeting templates covering common themes like knot-tying practice, first aid scenarios, outdoor skills stations, citizenship discussions, and team-building games. Having a go-to list means your PLC never has to start from scratch.
“We always struggle to come up with good ideas for troop meetings to boost engagement.”
Ethan L.
Lean on Reliable People, Not Just Websites
Some of the best advice in this survey came from Scouts who mentioned talking to experienced leaders, troop alumni, and fellow Scouts. Websites and articles can give you information, but a conversation with someone who has earned the badge, completed the project, or led the campout can give you wisdom. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“Mostly I just try to get advice from leaders and Scouts who are more experienced in the area I need help in.”
Eli M.
Takeaways: Make the Most of Your Scouting Resources
For Scouts:
- Use merit badge ranking guides to plan strategically. Tackle harder badges when you have more free time, and save easier ones for busy seasons.
- Create a simple advancement tracker. Even a handwritten checklist can help you stay motivated and see your progress.
- Do not wait until the last minute on Eagle project planning. Use checklists and guides early so you feel prepared, not overwhelmed.
- Ask experienced Scouts and leaders for advice. Real conversations often give you insights that no website can.
- Bookmark two or three trusted resources (like ScoutSmarts, Scouting.org, and a YouTube channel) so you always know where to turn.
For Youth Leaders:
- Build a meeting plan library with your PLC. Having five to ten go-to meeting outlines means you never have to start from scratch.
- Incorporate skill games and fun activities into meetings. Educational games keep Scouts engaged and boost attendance. Check out these troop activity ideas for inspiration.
- Share ranking and difficulty guides with your troop. Helping Scouts plan their merit badge journey makes the whole troop stronger.
- Survey your own troop. Ask Scouts what they want from meetings, and use their answers to drive your planning.
For Adult Leaders:
- Support your PLC with meeting plan resources. Youth leaders want to lead, but they need frameworks and templates to do it effectively.
- Point Scouts toward ranking and planning articles. Helping them see the big picture of their advancement journey builds confidence and independence.
- Connect with other leaders through Facebook groups and YouTube channels. Resources like Scouter Stan, Bryan on Scouting, and troop Facebook pages can give you fresh ideas.
- Encourage Scouts to start Eagle project planning early. Share project guides and checklists so the process feels manageable.
- Remember that troop alumni are a valuable resource. Invite Eagle Scouts back to share their experiences and mentor current Scouts.
At the end of the day, the best Scouting resource is the one that helps you take your next step. Whether that means using a merit badge ranking to plan your summer, building a meeting plan library for your PLC, or simply asking a trusted leader for advice, the key is to stay curious, stay organized, and keep moving forward!
Thank you to everyone who responded and shared their thoughts. Your feedback is supporting scouts nationwide, and I’m grateful for every single response. Now get out there and keep earning, keep leading, and keep making Scouting amazing!