Scouting FAQ

There are a few questions that get asked over and over again, sometimes is slightly different forms. Here are the most common ones which may save you the effort of sending in your question. But, if it's not here, please ask away.

• Where does this patch go on the uniform?
• When can my child join Cub Scouts?
• How do I find a Pack or Troop to join?
• What about karate and other martial arts recognition?
• Where do Webelos Adventure pins go?
• When is 'Two-Deep Leadership' required?
• On the 'XX' merit badge, what is the answer to requirement 'xx'?
• Who do I contact about a new merit badge or to change a merit badge requirement?
• How do I contact the national Scouting America office?

• Where does this patch go on the uniform?
  • This is BY FAR the most common question asked and you should look at the Scouts BSA or Cub Scout or Webelos uniform inspection sheets.
    That patch you are talking about is most likely a 'temporary' patch and should be displayed centered on the right pocket. Only ONE temporary patch at a time is to be displayed.
    A common way to display temporary patches is to hang a clear plastic patch holder from the pocket button and slip in the most recent patch. The scout can choose to display any temporary patch on any given day.
    This is a list of some temporary patches that people often ask about:
    • Popcorn Sales
    • Any campout
    • Pinewood Derby
    • World Conservation award
    • Scouting for Food
    • Conservation Good Turn
    These temporary patches are shaped as if they should go on the pocket flap, but they don't:
    • Whittlin' Chip
    • Firem'n Chit
    • Totin' Chip
    
    The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award DOES go on the right pocket flap. Each additional year it is earned, a pin can be added to the patch.
    Other methods for displaying patches:
    • Cub Scouts can make or buy a red felt vest and put all the temporary patches on it they want, organized however they want.
    • Scouts BSA can put temporary patches on the back of their merit badge sash, but I've yet to see one do that.
    • Scouts BSA can have a patch blanket with their patch collection sewn onto it.
    
    See Insignia Guide for more details.
  
  
• When can my child join Cub Scouts?
  • There is no scouting program for children under 5 years old or not yet in kindergarten. Children can join Cub Scouts as Lions when they are 5 years old or in kindergarten.
  
  
• When is 'Two-Deep Leadership' required?
  • There should always be at least 2 registered adults at any scouting meeting, event, or gathering.
    For youth protection guidelines, the 'No One-on-one Contact' always applies. A scout should never be alone with an adult that is not the scout's parent or guardian. This rule comes into play for den meetings, merit badge sessions, scoutmaster conferences, traveling in vehicles, and all scouting activities and meetings.
    See Guide to Safe Scouting and Youth Protection FAQ for official Scouting America words.
  
  
• On the ________ merit badge, what is the answer to requirement 3b?
  • If you are doing a merit badge, most of the 'knowledge' information is in that merit badge's pamphlet which you should have. If you can't find the information there, then you should be discussing it with your merit badge counselor. I won't be writing answers to merit badge questions.
  
  
• Where do Adventure pins go on the uniform?
  • The belt loops earned by Cub Scouts for completing adventures obviously go on their scout belt, but Webelos and Arrow of Light scouts earn pins for their adventures. These pins can be displayed pinned to the Colors arm decoration or to the Webelos cap.
  
  
• How do I find a Pack or Troop to join?
  • Go to Pack & Troop Locator and enter your address. Contact information for your local Scouting America council will be listed along with local scouting units - contact them.
  
  
• How do I contact the national Scouting America office, or request any merit badge changes?
  • Scouting America
    1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
    PO Box 152079
    Irving, TX 75015-2079
    (972)580-2000
    Or, email program.content@scouting.org
    or merit.badge@scouting.org
    or advancement.team@scouting.org.
  
  
• What about karate and other martial arts recognition?
  • Read This

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Comments:
 

Mar 12, 2016 - Jessica Kish

Which uniform baseball cap are the boy Scouts to be wearing

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Mar 12, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@Jessica - The style of cap is determined by the youth of each troop.  Your son should ask his patrol leader or senior patrol leader what kind of cap the troop wears.  Or, if the troop has no set design, then either the baseball cap or campaign hat found at ScoutStuff.org are available.

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Jun 27, 2016 - rick scouter

can the wear two temp patches on the right side say one above the pocket  and one on the pocket

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Jun 28, 2016 - Scouter Paul

@rick - That would be against the uniform inspection sheet guidelines.

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Apr 26, 2017 - Jamie

Where can I find a list of patches/badges that can be earned as a Cub Scout that can be transferred to the Boy Scout uniform.

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Apr 26, 2017 - Scouter Paul

@Jamie - Arrow of Light, Religious Emblem, James West, Medal of Merit, and Honor Medal are the knots I know of that could go on the Boy Scout uniform having been awarded to a Cub Scout.  Also, an Interpreter Strip.  Any "temporary" patch centered on his right pocket would be ok, too.
Metal devices are available to indicate when an award was earned.  For example, a Cub device and a Boy Scout device pinned on the Religious Emblem knot patch if the scout earned it in each program.
I don't believe there is any such list in official BSA documentation.

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Jan 15, 2018 - Elle

My son is in a very small Webelos den, and they do not use the patrol method.  This is keeping him from earning his Arrow of Light badge.  Is there an alternate requirement he can do?

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Jan 15, 2018 - Scouter Paul

@Elle - I assume you are referring to requirements 3 & 4 in the Scouting Adventure.  There is no alternate requirement - completing the Scouting Adventure is necessary.  The den only needs to practice the patrol method for one month.  The Webelos Den Leader Guide has plans and information for the den leader to use for this adventure.

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Mar 17, 2018 - Joanna Barker

Here are some badges my grandson has:  Are they 'temporary'?

Blue and Gold
Cyber Chip
Shooting Sports (with an archery pin)
Trail's End
Military
Seller's Club

Thanks so much.

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May 24, 2022 - Amy

I have a question about placement.  My son is his Troops Historian and also a Patrol leader.   Where do both patches go?  They won’t both fit on one sleeve.  

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May 26, 2022 - Jane

@Amy - Scouts can only wear one badge of office (position) patch at a time, so he needs to choose which one he wants to wear. An option might be to get some tan Velcro and sew the loop (soft) part onto the left sleeve. Attach the hook (rough) part to the patches, and the Scout can change position patches whenever he likes.  You can use sticky-backed Velcro for the patch, and cut it down so that it isn't visible when attached.

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