How do I sign up my son/daughter for Scouts?
There are three ways to do this:
1 Call toll-free 1-888-Scouts-Now to be directed to the office closest to you. We will be pleased to
refer you to the closest group in your area, or
2 Use the Find a Group feature on the homepage. Just enter your postal code for a listing of contacts
for groups in your area, or
3 Email join@scouts.ca. Please include the following information:
Your name
Your child’s name and age
Email address
Contact phone number
Street address, city and province.
Your email will be forwarded to your local Scouting office and someone will get back to you shortly.
Registration forms
How do I purchase a uniform, and what will my child need?
You can view and purchase uniform and other supplies online at the Scout Shop's new ecommerce site here. Or, visit the closest Scout Shop to you.
What are the costs to join Scouting?
Costs vary from group to group, so your local contact is the best one to advise you. You can expect to pay a basic fee to join, in addition to uniform costs. As the year progresses there may be extra costs associated with camping, special events, etc. Again, each group is different, and your child’s leader will advise you on these.
Is there financial aid for families of limited means to assist with the costs of joining Scouts?
Yes. Local councils can assist you, and there is also the Scouts Canada Foundation's established fund, No One Left Behind, which may provide assistance for families in need for specific Scouting costs. Details here.
What can my child expect when he/she joins?
Your local council office will be happy to assist you with any specific questions you may have. For basic information on our programs click here
I want to learn about becoming a leader. What’s the process and what’s involved?
First, contact the local Scouting council office in your area. For a complete listing of all councils, click here.
You can also call 1-888-Scouts-Now, or email join@scouts.ca
You will need to provide:
• Three personal reference checks
• A “clean” Police Records Check (your council will have forms for this, or advise you on
how to obtain this).
• You will undergo a Selection Interview. If you are accepted as a volunteer, you will take training
that will teach you what you need to know to become a great leader.
So You’re a New Leader will help you with some basic information on where to go for help, and the organization of Scouting in Canada. There is now a New Leader Welcome Kit, which will be provided to you by your council, and is also available by clicking the button on the homepage.
Where do my registration fees go?
Here’s how it works: of the total registration fee, $60 comes to the National office in Ottawa. This goes to help cover such things as:
• training materials and resources for leaders (you can see a sample of these materials on our
web site under “For Scouters”)
• planning programs and activities for youth (these must be planned meticulously to ensure
compliance with insurance and health standards)
• publications including handbooks
• providing service and support to twenty Councils across Canada
• volunteer servicing expenses
• World Scouting fee
• Insurance premiums
The remainder of the fee is levied by your local council. Each council is different, and in fact, fees differ from group to group. Your council may need fees to cover their basic overhead as well as providing service, support and programs to the groups and areas within their jurisdiction. Your council takes into consideration these costs, and calculates their fee based on the lowest possible amount necessary to cover them.
Dollar for dollar, Scouts Canada’s programs continue to be the best deal around. Many parents pay as much or more for programs that only function for three or four months. Our programs generally run for eight months or more and include many adventures such as camping trips that kids will remember for a lifetime. Most importantly, Scouting makes a difference in the lives of children, youth and young adults. They are more likely to demonstrate greater self-confidence and optimism about what the future holds. They express a strong sense of civic responsibility and have a desire to “pay back” the community. They become more physically fit, energetic, outgoing, conscientious and compassionate.
Does Scouts Canada admit both boys and girls?
Yes. Scouts Canada has had completely co-ed programs since 1998.
Do you have to believe in God to join Scouts Canada? Is Scouting a Christian organization?
No, but you must have a basic spiritual belief. Spirituality has been one of the three main principles of Scouting around the world since its inception 100 years ago. Scouts Canada welcomes members of many different faiths and denominations; we are proud of our commitment to diversity. That said, you need not belong to an organized religion, but all leaders and youth must take the Scout Promise in good faith, and leaders should be able to include some form of spirituality in their program for the youth.“God” is the word in the Promise used to represent spirituality, and for some may represent an actual deity, but it may also mean to your family an expression of your personal spirituality.
"Duty to God" as defined by the World Organization of the Scouting Movement, means "a person's relationship with the spiritual values of life, the fundamental belief in a force above mankind."
Are homosexuals allowed to join Scouts Canada?
Scouts Canada does not discriminate for reasons of gender, culture, religious belief (see above) or sexual orientation.
How are prospective leaders screened, and what safety precautions does Scouts Canada have in place?
Prospective leaders must undergo a stringent screening process. This includes a Police Records Check, a Screening Interview plus three personal references. Until the screening procedure is fully complete and signed off, individuals may not participate with children. Our thorough Risk Management policies include “two-deep leadership”, which means there must always be two registered leaders present with any number of children. Leaders are well versed in risk management and our Duty of Care during their training process. For more information, click here.
What is Scouts Canada’s policy on parents and guardians participating in Scouting activities?
Parents are our greatest allies. We should keep them as well informed as possible and they are always welcome at Scouting activities. In fact, we encourage leaders to invite parents on activities to help.
What is a parent’s/guardian’s role at a Scouting activity?
The primary responsibility of Parents/Guardians lies with their own child. Parents/Guardians are often asked to help as a program resource person (sharing a skill or hobby) or helping prepare meals for Beaver or Cub outings. Parents are always under the supervision of at least two registered Scouters.
What can parents expect before they come to activities?
There are three simple steps to screening parents – it won’t take more than 10 minutes.
• Leaders will discuss what is expected of parents at the activity
• They will explain our Duty of Care to parents
• They will introduce the parents to the rest of the youth & explain their role at the activity.
Do parents need to sign an Individual Release and Hold Harmless Agreement?
Not if they have been screened.
What should we do about siblings who aren’t members of Scouting?
Sometimes, parents have to bring younger siblings with them. They aren’t program participants. They are observers and parents are responsible for supervising them. Parents must sign an Individual Release and Hold-Harmless Agreement for these youth.
What about other resource people we recruit to help us?
Successful leaders know that bringing in resource people to help with activities is a good idea. Whether it’s the fire department, someone from the orienteering club or any other resource person, people who participate in day events need to be advised exactly the same way as a parent.
Are resource people also screened for safety reasons if they are staying overnight?
Yes. If resource people are participating in an overnight activity, they must:
• Complete the parent/daytime resource person screening,
• Provide a current police record check clear of criminal conviction, verified by the Group Commissioner, and
• Have three personal references checked.
Do other resource people need to sign an Individual Release and Hold Harmless Agreement?
Not if they have been properly screened.