Prepared. For Life.
Journey to Excellence Gold Award, 2019-2023

What's new?

Scouting America is the new name for The Boy Scouts of America. In 2019, girls were invited to join its flagship program: Boy Scouts. The name of the program has changed to “Scouts | BSA” - otherwise nothing else has changed. Girls earn the same merit badges and same ranks that the boys have been earning for the last 110 years, including the rank of Eagle Scout.

Experience it all with Troop 6!

What does this mean for you?

Scouting teaches the skills and builds the confidence you need to succeed - both now and in adult life.

Do you want to:

  • Hike
  • Camp Outdoors
  • Discover Trails
  • Fish
  • Ride Bikes
  • Canoe
  • Sail a Boat

If you would like to do some or all of these things, Scouting may be for you.

Scouts are recognized by colleges and employers as people who can get things done. Scouts learn to “Be Prepared” for almost anything.

Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and John F. Kennedy were all Scouts, and President Gerald Ford was an Eagle Scout.


Meet some famous Scouts

Do you want to be an Eagle Scout?

Eagle Scout Medal

Eagle Scout is the highest rank the Scouts can award to a youth member. Now, this award is available to girls.

Eagle Scouts are successful. Research shows that being an Eagle Scout is the single best predictor of success in college.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scouts | BSA co-ed?

No. While Scouts | BSA brings the full Scouting program and experience to girls, girls have their own troops. That said, girls’ Troops and boys’ Troops will have some opportunities to interact - such as at special events.

Scouting is a family activity, so many Troops try to coordinate their events and keep their meetings on the same night at the same time.

How Frequent are Meetings?

From September through June, Scouts usually meet once a week as a Troop. Troop 6 meets on Monday nights in Amherst. Scouts will sometimes choose to meet in smaller groups, called Patrols. There is typically one outdoor activity a month, usually on a weekend. Scouting also has summer camp opportunities, usually one week in length.

It's important to note that attendance is not required at all events. We all have busy lives and we understand that conflicts with sports and other activities often arise.

What Do Scouts Do?

Some of the best things about Scouting are the activities the girls get to do: camping, hiking, canoeing, field trips, and projects to help our community. Scouting is doing. As they do, Scouts learn valuable life lessons.

Do the Parents Have a Role?

Yes. Scouting can teach your child a wholesome system of values and beliefs while building and strengthening relationships among family members. The Scouts are expected to develop their own program of activities, but as adults we provide a little expert guidance along the way.

We want parents to be involved with activities. For parents new to Scouting, we have experienced leaders who can help you get acquainted with the program.

How Old (or young) Can a Girl Be to Join?

Scouting is for girls who are eleven years old, or who are ten years old and have completed 5th grade, but are not yet eighteen.

Girls can join at any time - they don’t have to start at the beginning!

How do Scouts Achieve Their Goals?

Activities are used to achieve the aims of Scouting - citizenship training, character development, leadership development, and personal fitness. Some of these activities are done with the Troop - some are done by the Scout. The outdoor program, the merit badge program, and the rank system all work together to help them achieve these aims.

What Supplies and Equipment are Needed?

At minimum, each girl in Scouting will need a uniform and a handbook. Generally a Scout is expected to provide her own backpack and sleeping bag for outdoor trips. The girls usually cook as a group, but occasionally they may need to bring their own cooking equipment.

How Much Does Scouts Cost?

Because the annual dues are subject to change each year, we don't list the cost on our site. You'll find that it is a reasonable fee, typically less than the participation cost of youth sports. We also don't want the fee to be a deterrent to any family; Troops try to provide financial assistance for girls who otherwise wouldn't be able to participate. The annual fee covers the national Scouting dues. Scouts can also subscribe to Scout Life magazine - the magazine for Scouts for over a hundred years.

In addition to the annual dues, each Scout will need a uniform. The uniform consists of a khaki shirt, pants, a belt, a neckerchief and a neckerchief slide. Troops will often design a tee shirt for wear at more active events.

The Troop also has several optional events each year that sometimes have individual participation fees. We try to keep costs down, and financial assistance may be available for these events.

What Do Troops do for Fundraising?

Because the annual participation dues goes toward the national Scouting membership, it is necessary for the Troop to conduct fundraising to cover our operating expenses. Most Troops sell popcorn each year as part of the BSA's organized fundraising. Sometimes Scouts sell in groups, and sometimes they sell as individuals. Prizes are awarded for reaching various sales goals.

Merit Badges

Merit badges give scouts an opportunity to try out a new activity, such as camping, canoeing, or welding. After you gain some experience, you earn a merit badge.

Did you know that the Academy Award winning movie director, Steven Spielberg, got interested in film because of the photography merit badge? He is an Eagle Scout, and wrote the book for the merit badge Movie Making.

Merit Badges

Is Scouting for you? Come visit us at a meeting to find out, or contact us using the button below.


Contact Troop 6