Scouts BSA (Boys and Girls Grades 5-12)
Scouting is the ultimate form of learning by doing. In an era of increasingly competitive activities and indoor pursuits, Scouting encourages kids to engage in their community and the world around them while having fun with their friends.
Things We Do
A SAMPLING OF FUN SCOUT ADVENTURES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR…
Weekly/Monthly Meetings
Senior Patrol Leaders and youth leadership plan and lead weekly evening meetings that feature an instructional session on Scout skills or Merit Badges, planning for campouts, plus a game and/or patrol competition.
Monthly Overnight Outings
Troops typically plan 6 – 8 weekend outings, including activities like campouts, cycling trips, river rafting, and snow trips.
Camporee
Scouts test their skills in friendly Troop competition at the annual Scout Camporee. It’s a fun weekend of camping, fellowship and skill-based competition.
National Jamboree
Held every four years, the National Scout Jamboree is serious high adventure! Take on whitewater rafting, zip-lining, rappelling, mountain biking, hiking, firearms, and more at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in the wilds of West Virginia.
Summer Camps
Scouts can attend one-week summer camps with their Troop. They earn merit badges and ranks while participating in activities like backpacking, sailing, mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding, and rock climbing.
Backpacking Trips
Each summer, every Scout and Venturer has the opportunity to go on a Sierra backpacking or high adventure trip.Troops and the Order of the Arrow organize trips that range in duration and mileage from 4 days and 30 miles to 7 days and 50 miles.
Community Service
Scouts collect food for the Alameda Food Bank during the Annual Scouting for Food drive held each November and participate in conservation and other community service events with their Troops.
Tree Lot
Scouts work alongside Cub Scouts and coed Venturing members to sell trees and hone their sales skills at the Annual Christmas Tree Lot, Piedmont Council’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Leadership Development
Scouts gain hands-on leadership experience while planning, executing and leading troop activities, with adult guidance when needed. In addition, Scouts may also attend the National Youth Leader Training summer camp.
Scout Troops
The Piedmont Council supports five Troops, each with its own personality and traditions. Each Troop is youth-led, with trained adult support and supervision. Scouting encourages youth to choose, plan and lead their Troop activities and explore their own interests. By taking on these responsibilities, Scouts develop and promote teamwork while learning to lead as well as follow.
Troops meet weekly during the school year and typically plan 6 – 8 weekend outings, including campouts, cycling trips, river rafting, or snow trips. Summer activities include a week of Scout camp and backpacking trips. Spring Troop Open Houses are a great way to discover the Troop that is right for you. Contact the Scout Office for more information: [email protected]
Troop Meetings
Explore Piedmont’s Troops and discover what Scouting has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQs for answers to common questions or contact the Scout Office: [email protected] for more information.
How are Meetings Structured?
Senior Patrol Leaders and older Scouts plan and lead weekly evening meetings that feature an instructional session on Scout skills or Merit Badges, planning for campouts, plus a game and/or patrol competition.
Who is in Charge?
Troops are Scout-led using the Patrol Method under the careful guidance of trained adult leaders. Scoutmasters work with the youth leaders to achieve the goals of the group. Troops also have numerous trained adult Assistant Scoutmasters who work directly with the Scouts.
What is the Parent/Guardian Involvement?
All parents/guardians are encouraged to get involved—secure campsites, teach a Merit Badge skill, drive on outings, or become a trained assistant Scoutmaster. All adults must complete Youth Protection Training.
What if I was never a Cub Scout?
No problem – boys and girls 5th grade or older can join any time!
Uniforms
Wearing the Scout uniform is a visible means of showing you believe in and stand up for the ideals and objectives of the Boy Scouts of America. The boys and girls are encouraged to wear their uniforms whenever they are doing a Troop or Council activity. Scouts don’t require much more than this.
Our uniforms are of very high quality and will last for several years, so be sure to buy one large enough for your child to grow into! New uniforms can be purchased at the Piedmont Scout Office, or at the Scout Shop located at 508 Contra Costa Blvd K2 in Pleasant Hill. Some uniform items are also available at McCaulou’s in Montclair.
Reuse/Recycle! Donations of gently worn uniforms are accepted at the Piedmont Council Scout Office. Contact the office to check the uniform supply for your Scout before purchasing!
What are the Eagle Award requirements?
Life-long Impact
“The Piedmont Scouting program has helped our sons develop a love of the outdoors as well as leadership and executive function skills that are not taught in any of the other extracurricular activities in which they participate. The experiences they have had are irreplaceable.”
– The Harrison Family
Our Volunteers
The Piedmont Council is fortunate to have dedicated staff and over 150 trained volunteers responsive to the needs of our youth, both boys and girls, aged 5-18. With their help, we continue to provide safe and relevant programs through Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, coed Venturing, coed Explorers and coed Sea Scouts.