Vigilante District - Montana Council Scouting America

Vigilante District - Montana Council Scouting America Vigilante District serves youth in Butte, Anaconda, Dillon, Deer Lodge, Whitehall, and the surrounding areas

06/14/2026

As units prepare to march in 4th of July parades, this is a friendly reminder that when a group of flags are carried on poles, the American flag should be positioned to the RIGHT of the other flags (which is the observer's left). It should be carried higher than the other flags. What's your best suggestion for successful parade participation?

Photo: Butte, MT Scouts

🎉 History in the Making for Vigilante District! 🎉Vigilante District is proud to announce the launch of our first all-gir...
06/14/2026

🎉 History in the Making for Vigilante District! 🎉

Vigilante District is proud to announce the launch of our first all-girl Scouts BSA troop!

Troop 1617, chartered by Church of Christ in Butte, was officially founded on June 2, 2026. This exciting milestone expands opportunities for young women in our community to experience adventure, leadership, service, and the values of Scouting. The girls booth at Butte’s Wings and Wheels helps to spread the news and educate visitors on local scouting opportunities.

Troop 1617 is led by Scoutmaster Lynn “Chuck” Foster and Assistant Scoutmaster Kaina Hansen. The formation of this troop is the result of Lynn’s dedication, vision, and hard work inspired by his Wood Badge experience, turning an idea into a lasting opportunity for girls in Butte and beyond.

Please join us in congratulating Troop 1617 and welcoming these pioneering Scouts as they begin their journey!

Interested in learning more about Troop 1617 or joining Scouting in Montana Council? Contact Vigilante District Executive Genie Funk at [email protected] or send us a DM on Facebook anytime.

06/14/2026

🗺️ Scouting America's New Trail Map: What It Means for Scouts BSA

At the 2026 National Annual Meeting, Scouting America introduced its new Trail Map—a strategic plan designed to strengthen the movement and grow membership with a destination of serving 2 million youth.

For Scouts BSA, the focus is clear: create a better experience for Scouts, families, and volunteers by removing barriers, improving support systems, and making it easier to deliver a great program at the unit level.

Some of the priorities highlighted include:

✅ Making volunteering easier and more sustainable for busy adults

✅ Redesigning training and onboarding to better equip leaders for success

✅ Strengthening commissioner support to help units thrive

✅ Improving the first-year experience so new Scouts and families feel welcomed, connected, and excited to stay involved

✅ Expanding partnerships with schools and community organizations to introduce more youth to Scouting

✅ Modernizing technology to simplify processes and reduce administrative burdens on volunteers

The Trail Map is a long-term vision, and many of the initiatives announced at the National Annual Meeting—including renewal simplification, technology modernization, and membership growth efforts—are part of that broader strategy.

We encourage Scouts BSA leaders, volunteers, and parents to review the official Trail Map materials and follow future announcements as additional details are released.

🎥 Watch the Trail Map presentation:
https://vimeo.com/1194134142/f51f9e5136?fl=pl&fe=vl

📄 View the official Trail Map:
https://scouting.webdamdb.com/bp/ #/folder/14650031/

What part of the Trail Map do you believe could have the biggest positive impact on your troop and its Scouts?

06/14/2026

This is "NAM26: Reinvest to Attract More Youth" by Scouting America on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/14/2026

📊 New Eagle Scout Study Released

Scouting America has released a major new research study:
“Eagle Scouts: A Legacy of Values-Based Leadership and Service.”

Conducted by The Harris Poll, the study examined the long-term impact of Scouting and the Eagle Scout experience on leadership, service, character, well-being, and civic engagement.

Among the findings:
⭐ 99% of Eagle Scouts say Scouting had a positive influence on their lives
⭐ Eagle Scouts report higher levels of leadership, purpose, gratitude, and community involvement
⭐ Non-Scouts overwhelmingly recognize the positive impact Scouting has on youth and society

The study also found Eagle Scouts are more likely to:
✔ Volunteer and lead in their communities
✔ Value honesty, responsibility, and service
✔ Maintain strong family and community relationships
✔ Spend time outdoors and practice environmental stewardship
✔ Live by the values found in the Scout Oath and Law

🌎 This research highlights the lasting impact Scouting can have on young people, families, and communities.

🔗 Explore the interactive study website:
https://www.scouting.org/about/research/eagle-scout-2026/

📘 Download the printable study booklet:
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/marketing/pdf/Eagle%20Scout%20Study%202026.pdf

06/14/2026

📣 Important Membership Renewal Update

Scouting America has announced that the current membership lapse period will be phased out and will end on **December 31, 2026**.

🔹 What Is Changing?

The lapse period has allowed members a short grace period after their renewal date before their membership becomes inactive. As Scouting America moves toward a simpler and more consistent renewal system, this lapse period will gradually be reduced and then eliminated.

📅 Key Dates

✅ Members with an **October 2026** renewal date will be the last to receive the full **two-month lapse period**.

✅ Members with a **November 2026** renewal date will receive a **one-month lapse period**.

✅ Members with a **December 2026** renewal date will receive **no lapse period**.

Beginning in September 2026, new and renewing units will use the standard charter fee plus pro rata fees through February 2028.

📅 Beginning January 1, 2027, members must be current in their registration to maintain active status.

Unit leaders, committee members, and families should begin planning ahead to ensure memberships are renewed on time and there is no interruption in participation, advancement, or registration status.

More information will be shared as Scouting America continues implementing its simplified membership and renewal processes.

06/14/2026

📋 Did You Know? Each Troop Sets Its Own Policy

Every Scouts BSA troop develops its own clothing policy with guidance from its chartered organization.

Good policies are:
✔ Fair
✔ Safe
✔ Respectful of all members

Troops are encouraged to ask:
➡ Does this keep everyone safe?
➡ Is this fair to all Scouts?
➡ Does it respect individual needs?

🔗 Sample troop policy:
https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Troops-clothing-policy.pdf

06/14/2026

Cub Scouts entering grades 1-5 in the fall and Webelos/Arrow of Light entering grades 4-5 in the fall are invited to join us at our world class camp located in the heart of Montana! Leaders/parents/guardians, this is your chance to experience adventures at K-M Scout Ranch with your child that you both will enjoy!

https://scoutingevent.com/315-CubCamp26

🌲 Troop 1608 Takes on K-M Scout Camp! 🏕️Last week, our scouts from Butte had an incredible experience at their first BSA...
07/31/2025

🌲 Troop 1608 Takes on K-M Scout Camp! 🏕️

Last week, our scouts from Butte had an incredible experience at their first BSA summer camp at K-M Scout Ranch! From earning merit badges and learning new skills to making friends and building teamwork, these young men truly embraced the spirit of Scouting.

🔥 On Friday night, Troop 1608 took to the stage for a skit that had the whole camp laughing—and their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. At the closing ceremony, our troop was honored for their achievements throughout the week, the merit badges they earned, and was awarded the first ribbon for the troop flag. 🏅

💡 What’s the ribbon all about? In Scouts BSA, ribbons are awarded to a troop’s flag as a symbol of recognition and accomplishment. They represent milestones like excellent participation, strong teamwork, leadership, and spirit shown during camp and other Scouting events. These ribbons travel with the troop, becoming a visual history of all they’ve achieved together!

👏 Huge congratulations to the scouts of Troop 1608—you made your troop, your town, and yourselves proud. Here's to many more adventures ahead!

07/16/2025

Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers! Your dedication, time, and passion are the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re leading a troop, organizing events, mentoring youth, or supporting behind the scenes, your efforts make Scouting America’s mission possible. You help shape confident, capable young people who grow into strong leaders and responsible citizens. We truly couldn’t do it without you—thank you for being the backbone of Scouting in Montana!

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Butte, MT
59701

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