Scoutbook
Scoutbook - I'm a parent, what do I need to know?
Scoutbook is an internet-based tool the Troop uses to track our members’ contact information, training, and advancement progress. We also use it as a communication tool to send messages to each other and publish the troop calendar.
Each Scout has a profile and advancement record which is maintained by the troop and the national BSA organization. As parents, you can participate by:
Keeping your personal profile up-to-date (e.g. email address, which is where you will receive most troop communication)
Keeping your Scout(s) profile(s) up-to-date. It’s important that each Scout’s full name and date of birth matches those in the national BSA system (as submitted on the membership application) so that advancement is properly tracked.
Deciding whether your Scout(s) should have his own login to Scoutbook. We recommend that your Scout has access to Scoutbook through their own login, since it allows the Scout to enter his own advancement progress and connect with merit badge counselors, his patrol leader, etc. In order for a Scout to login to Scoutbook, the parent must supply the Scout’s email address and invite them (the troop cannot do this). You will find detailed instruction here.
Entering and monitoring advancement progress.
Your Scout can mark off requirements as ‘completed’. While each requirement must be approved by a Scout leader before advancement is awarded, Scoutbook can help you keep track of what remains to be done to complete various ranks and merit badges. Requirements your Scout marked as completed have a green checkmark. Uploading notes, pictures, etc helps your Scout get approval for the requirement.
Prior to a Board of Review, your Scout must have the requirements approved (’signed off’) by a Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster. This is referred to as a ’Scoutmaster Conference’ and is similar to having the Scout’s paper book signed off. Once approved, the requirements will have a blue checkmark. When all requirements for a rank have been approved, the Scout will be awarded the rank, and the requirements will be marked with gold checkmarks.
The Scouts' progress is recognized at a periodic Court of Honor. In order to be included in a Court of Honor, the advancement requirements must be approved (blue checkmarks).
More Resources
You will find information covering a variety of topics on the Scoutbook for Parents resource page of Scoutbook.