Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Who can become a BSA Scout?

Any youth can join the Boy Scouts of America, regardless of outdoor experiences or prior Cub Scout participation. 

Youth can join Scouts BSA if they are 

• at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; 

• OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, 

• OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18

Scouts BSA units operate as either Troop for Boys or Troop for Girls.  

The Scouts BSA program is not co-ed. The leadership of the BSA determined that the best way to welcome girls and serve today’s families was to offer a unique model that builds on the proven benefits of our single-gender program, while also providing character and leadership opportunities for both boys and girls. 

2. When and where does troop 4060 meet?

Troop 4060 meets Wednesday evenings, normally at the Anacortes Middle School, located at 2202 M Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221. Meetings start at 6:30 and end around 8 pm. Check the calendar on this website for additional dates and times.

3. What kind of activities does Troop 4060 organize?

Troop 4060 schedules outdoor adventures at least once a month.  Activates are selected and planned by the youth - the Scouts - based on the interests and goals of the Troop.  Generally, the Scouts focus on a theme for each month.  Weekly meetings, outings, and campouts focus on doing skills related to that theme

4. How much does Scouting cost?

The Annual Dues for Troop 4060 are $280. This includes registration with BSA, start-up costs, Scout handbook, and patches. You will also need to purchase a class A uniform. There are sometimes fees associated with an outing designed to cover the cost of that outing.

Membership dues for Scouting year 2022-2023 are $280/youth (+$25 for new members) and $75 for adults. 

$25 youth - one-time joining fee pays BSA national administrative costs for new members. 

$75 youth/$45 adult - BSA national membership fees help pay for the cost of accident & liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, youth protection resources, criminal background checks, technology upgrades, online training resources, and BSA program & curriculum.  

$15 youth - Scout’s Life magazine fees provide Scouts an engaging magazine - highlighting features guilds, games, activities, and comics.  This magazine is not required but highly encouraged. 

$75 youth/$25 adult - Mount Baker local council fees help pay for the cost of local council insurance, rank advancement patches, top-notch properties such as Fire Mountain Scout Camp, and unit support through the council’s service center. 

$60 youth - Troop fees help pay for awards, certificates, and recognition gifts and to offset costs to volunteers while staffing during outings. 

Mount Baker Council Opportunity Fund Membership Assistance Program - Through generous grants and contributions, the Mount Baker Council, Boy Scouts of America, can offer assistance to registered youth and adults so they may fully participate in the Scouting program. 

5. Do I have to buy a lot of equipment?

You will need a backpack, ground cloth, sleeping pad and a sleeping bag. Beyond that you can borrow camping gear from the troop for each campout and return it when you get home. Most scouts borrow gear for a while and then begin to purchase more of their own equipment as they become more experienced campers.

6. What are the ranks in Scouts BSA?

The Scout handbook provides the requirements for seven ranks. They are: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Scout. Our outdoor activities, merit badge and leadership programs are designed to provide every scout with an opportunity to advance in rank at the pace they choose.

7. What is required to become an Eagle Scout?

BSA has established these requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout, summarized as:

1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Life Scout.

2. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life. 

3. Request recommendations from six individuals who know you personally.

4. Earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, including the 14 “eagle required” badges

5. While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more positions of leadership responsibility.

6. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a Eagle service project

7. Complete a Scoutmaster conference.

8. Pass an Eagle Scout board of review.

8. Are Scouts required to advance toward Eagle Scout?

No, Troop 4060 is not just about rank advancement. Our program is structured to provide four separate areas for growth; outdoor skills, merit badges, leadership skills, and self-reliance. Most Scouts begin their climb up the ranks of scouting right away, others proceed a little later and some enjoy scouting just for the outdoor fun with their buddies. Every youth can benefit from the scouting program.

9. What is a Merit Badge?

A merit badge is an award for completing the requirements in over 130 career and hobby fields. Each merit badge is designed to provide a scout with an introduction to that specific field of interest. The subject matter of these merit badges vary wildly. Each merit badge has a specific list of requirements that must be completed by the Scout, then reviewed by a qualified merit badge counselor and finally signed off by the Scoutmaster. Merit badges are worn on the Scout’s sash as part of the class A uniform during formal events.

10. What is a Blue Card?

A blue card is essentially an application for a merit badge. A Scout obtains a blue card by speaking with the Scoutmaster about working on a particular merit badge. Typically after the Scoutmaster signs the blue card, the Scout contacts the merit badge counselor and sets an appointment. One the merit badge counselor is satisfied a Scout has met all the requirements—signs in two places: on the reverse of the Application for Merit Badge (to the left) and on the Applicant’s Record (in the middle) and returns these two parts to the Scout. The Scout then brings the two parts back to the Scoutmaster for review and to make sure the achievement is recognized. A part of the card is returned to the scout with the merit badge at the court of honor. The blue card should be kept in a safe place as it becomes the Scout’s proof of completion in the event that the merit badge or sash are lost.

Scoutbook offers digital blue cards, which is the preferred recording method. A Scout starts a new merit badge in Scoutbook by speaking with the Scoutmaster about any merit badge of interest.  The Scoutmaster will provide the Scout with a list of approved merit badge counselors.  Once the Scout and a merit badge counselor agree to work together, the Scout, Scoutmaster, or advancement team can connect the merit badge counselor with the Scout in Scoutbook for that merit badge.   The merit badge counselor records progress and marks the merit badge as complete once all requirements have been fulfilled.  The Scout is encouraged to let the Scoutmaster or Advancement chair know when a merit badge has been completed for review to make sure tht achievement is recognized.