Commissioners of Scouting America

06/17/2026

Have You Seen the New Digital Merit Badge Resource Guides?

This collection of digital resources is designed to complement the content found in official merit badge pamphlets. Each guide provides additional materials, tools, and learning opportunities to support Scouts as they work toward earning merit badges.

Step 1: Explore the Available Guides

Scouts can select from the available digital merit badge resource guides to begin exploring a subject area. Additional merit badge guides will be added as they are developed, expanding the resources available to support learning and advancement.

Step 2: Continue the Merit Badge Process

Scouts should continue working through the merit badge requirements as they normally would. The digital resources are intended to supplement the merit badge pamphlet and provide enhanced learning experiences throughout the process.

Step 3: Provide Feedback

Feedback is encouraged to help improve future digital resources. Scouts, leaders, and parents are invited to share suggestions, ideas, and experiences by emailing [email protected].

User input will help shape future enhancements and create a better experience for everyone using these resources.

You can find the guides here:

https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/digital-resource-guides/

06/17/2026

Build a Kit. Help a Family. Earn Your Ring.

Make service part of your 2026 National Scout Jamboree experience at the Messengers of Peace Service Hub!

Join thousands of Scouts in assembling disaster-relief kits that will support families recovering from floods, storms, and other emergencies across the United States.

✅ No registration required
✅ Drop in anytime from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on program days
✅ Come solo, with a buddy, your patrol, or your troop
✅ All supplies provided

Choose to build:

🪣 Flood Buckets filled with cleaning supplies for families returning home after flooding
💙 Menstrual Hygiene Kits containing essential items often needed during disaster recovery

In 2023, Scouts built 5,000 flood buckets that were deployed to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. In 2026, we're aiming to build 5,000 more kits and support an estimated 10,000 people in need.

Find us past the Consol Energy Bridge in Bravo. Just follow the Messengers of Peace signs.

Every kit matters. Every Scout can help.

Learn more:

https://jamboree.scouting.org/messengers-of-peace-service-hub/

06/16/2026

Announcing a New Role: Commissioner Mentor

The role of a commissioner mentor is to help new commissioners achieve a successful start by providing guidance, encouragement, and hands-on support throughout their first year of service. Mentors assist new commissioners in understanding their responsibilities, developing confidence in working with units, and building strong connections within the commissioner team. By sharing experience, offering coaching, and serving as a trusted resource, commissioner mentors help new commissioners develop the skills, knowledge, and relationships needed to serve effectively and independently.

See the job description here:

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/commissioner/engagement/NCST-Commissioner-Mentor-Role.pdf

06/16/2026

Scoutbook users are reporting a significant issue with advancement imports following the transition from Scoutbook Legacy to Scoutbook Plus.

Previously, users could import advancement records directly through Scoutbook Legacy, including files exported from summer camp management systems such as ScoutingEvent and Tentaroo. In Scoutbook Plus, imports now require a pipe-delimited text file, but the available export option from ScoutingEvent is a CSV file, and simply converting the file format does not resolve the problem. Compounding the issue, the advancement import feature has been removed from Scoutbook Legacy, leaving users without a viable bulk-import solution.

The problem is particularly acute following summer camp, where units may have thousands of advancement records to process. Scoutbook representatives have acknowledged the issue, stating that restoring import functionality in Scoutbook Plus is under consideration, but they do not know if or when that will be done.

Learn more here:

https://discussions.scouting.org/t/please-fix-tentaroo-and-other-imports-immediately-3500-rows-of-data-from-summer-camp-is-crazy-to-expect-us-to-key/511035

Update (6/16):

"An issue that prevented the Feature Assistant Extension for Chrome and Firefox from being able to upload a Merit Badge csv file produced by Black Pug has been fixed. Legacy Scoutbook will continue to be used to import Merit Badge csv files until support is ready in Scoutbook Plus. You must have extension version 0.49.0.15. If you do not see the MB Import link on the unit page in Legacy Scoutbook, try a hard refresh (SHIFT+REFRESH) or an Incognito wnidow.

Note: In Chrome, click the 3 dots on the upper right of the Chrome window, select Extensions → Manage Extensions then click Update to get version 0.49.0.15 of the extension."

https://discussions.scouting.org/t/june-16-2026-scoutbook-plus-updates/511047

06/15/2026

🌲 Hazard Tree Awareness: Safety in the Outdoors 🌲

Camping beneath towering trees is one of the great joys of the outdoors, but it's important to remember that not every tree is safe. A hazard tree is a tree that may fall or drop limbs due to disease, decay, storm damage, insects, or structural weakness.

As part of Scouting America's S.A.F.E. initiative, Scouts and leaders are encouraged to assess their surroundings before setting up camp, hiking, or gathering outdoors. Warning signs can include dead or hanging branches, cracks in the trunk, fungal growth, exposed roots, leaning trees, or dying leaves.

Taking a few moments to identify potential hazards can help prevent serious injuries and make outdoor adventures safer for everyone.

A Scout is observant, prepared, and helpful. Hazard tree awareness isn't about fear. It's about responsibility and making sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors safely.

🏕️ Adventure and safety go hand in hand.

Read more:

https://scoutingwire.org/hazard-trees/

06/15/2026

Eagles on the Hill Reception Highlights Scouting’s Civic Impact

Scouting America hosted the Eagles on the Hill reception last week in Washington, D.C., bringing Eagle Scouts, youth leaders, adult volunteers, lawmakers, and legislative staff together on Capitol Hill.

The reception offered Scouts the opportunity to engage directly with federal leaders and share how Scouting prepares young people for lives of character, leadership, and service. The event reinforced Scouting America’s commitment to developing active citizens and highlighted the continued relevance of Scouting’s mission in communities across the country.

Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America, shared details of the experience on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/roger-a-krone_scoutingamerica-eaglescout-eaglesonthehill-ugcPost-7471249760679526400-wgOU/

06/15/2026

📢 Check out the latest edition of the weekly Commissioner Newsletter!

Stay in-the-know with this single, best resource 👇

https://www.scouting.org/commissioners/newsletter-eblast/

In this edition, we answer the question: What should unit leaders do when a potential beneficiary organization reviews a Scout's Eagle Scout service project proposal and decides not to accept it, particularly if the situation becomes public or attracts media attention?

06/15/2026

Scouting America has announced a new national partnership with the United States Secret Service to help Cub Scouts and their families learn about personal and online safety.

Using the nationally recognized KidSmartz® and NetSmartz® programs, this initiative will provide age-appropriate resources for youth in grades K-5 and their parents. Topics include safe online behavior, recognizing warning signs, understanding digital risks, knowing when to seek help from a trusted adult, and building healthy digital habits at home.

What makes this partnership especially valuable is its focus on younger children and family involvement. As kids gain access to technology at earlier ages, helping families have these important conversations early can make a lasting difference.

This effort reflects Scouting America's ongoing commitment to youth protection, prevention, and education - giving families the tools they need to navigate today's digital world safely and confidently.

🤝 Together, Scouting America and the United States Secret Service are helping build safer, smarter, and more prepared families.

https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-and-the-united-states-secret-service-launch-new-online-safety-partnership-for-cub-scout-families/

06/13/2026

Looking for new ways to grow your Cub Scout pack? Here's a great idea from Pack 224 in Willmar, Minnesota!

They hosted a community Bike Rodeo and invited Cub Scouts to bring a sibling or friend. Participants learned bike safety skills, helmet fitting, hand signals, and safe street-crossing techniques before putting their skills to the test on a fun riding course.

The key membership lesson? Don't just invite prospective families to a meeting; invite them to an adventure! Fun, hands-on events like bike rodeos, fishing derbies, rocket launches, hiking days, and community service projects give families a chance to experience Cub Scouting firsthand.

When youth bring a friend to an exciting activity, they see the fun, friendship, and learning that Cub Scouts offers. It's a simple, effective way to showcase your program and welcome new families into Scouting.

What "bring-a-friend" events has your pack used successfully for membership growth? Share your ideas below!

Learn more here in this very detailed coverage that shows what a successful event looks like 👇

https://www.wctrib.com/news/local/willmars-cub-scout-pack-224-learns-bike-safety-just-in-time-for-summer

06/12/2026

Loneliness has become a growing global challenge, with the World Health Organization reporting that 1 in 6 people worldwide experience loneliness. The impact is especially significant among teenagers and young adults, where chronic loneliness is linked to higher rates of depression, lower academic performance, and reduced overall well-being.

New research from a Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Scouting America suggests that structured youth programs can play an important role in helping young people build meaningful connections and a sense of belonging. The study found that only 11% of Eagle Scouts reported frequently feeling lonely, compared to 23% of adults who never participated in Scouting. Eagle Scouts were also more likely to report having a strong sense of purpose and higher levels of happiness.

The findings reinforce an important lesson: belonging is not created through technology alone. It develops through shared experiences, teamwork, mentorship, service, leadership opportunities, and being part of a community where young people are encouraged to contribute and grow.

As communities continue to address the challenges of youth loneliness and isolation, programs that foster connection, responsibility, and personal growth remain more important than ever. Providing young people with opportunities to build relationships, develop confidence, and discover purpose can have a lasting impact that extends well into adulthood.

Learn more here:

https://www.purdueexponent.org/lifestyles/health/loneliness-affects-1-in-6-people-globally-new-research-reveals-the-childhood-experiences-that-help/article_0f00201f-8f26-530b-a937-8ca35ed5abeb.html

Scouting America reports that loneliness affects 1 in 6 globally, especially among youth, with research showing structured activities like Scouting boost confidence and purpose.