Narragansett Council

Great Adventure Begins Here

Find the Right Scouting Program for Your Child

Empower your child to explore the outdoors, gain life-changing skills, and build the confidence to lead a life of purpose and fun.

Camp. Explore. Build. Lead.

Your child’s great adventure starts here

Campfires, canoe trips, building Pinewood Derby race cars, and friends for life. Scouting gives kids the kind of stories they’ll still be telling for years to come.

Find a group for your child Find the right program

Here’s what a year in Scouting looks like

Every season brings something new. These are real adventures happening right here in Narragansett Council.

Fall

  • Your first campoutPitch a tent and sleep under the stars at one of our six council camps.
  • Hike the trailsExplore New England’s forests, mountains, and coastline with your new crew.

Winter

  • Klondike DerbyTeams pull sleds through the snow and race to solve outdoor challenges.
  • Brave the coldOlder Scouts can earn the Nor’easter Frost Point Award for winter camping.

Spring

  • Pinewood DerbyDesign, build, and race your very own wooden car. Cheering is mandatory.
  • Make a differenceLead service projects that help neighbors and protect local parks.

Summer

  • Camp YawgoogSwim, canoe, climb, and earn badges at a Rhode Island tradition for more than 100 years.
  • Day camp and family weekendsCub Scouts dive into summer fun at day camp and Cub Together Weekends.

I want my child in on this

What is Scouting?

Scouting is a youth program for boys and girls from kindergarten through age 20. Kids meet in small local groups led by trained volunteers, often parents from your own community.

Through hands-on activities, they grow their confidence, make lasting friendships, and learn to work as a team. Families are welcome to take part, too.

  • Outdoor adventureCamping, hiking, and time at council camps across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts.
  • Skills for lifeFirst aid, cooking, STEM projects, and earning badges as they learn.
  • LeadershipOlder Scouts plan activities and lead their own groups.
  • ServiceGiving back to the community through local projects.

Which program fits my child?

There’s an adventure for every age. Choose your child’s grade or age to see where they fit. Most new families start with Cub Scouts or Scouts BSA.

My child is in:
Kindergarten – 5th grade

Cub Scouts

Games, crafts, campfires, and the legendary Pinewood Derby. Younger kids discover the outdoors and earn their first badges, with family right there for the fun.

Joins a Pack, organized into small Dens by grade.
Learn about Cub Scouts

Ages 11 – 17

Scouts BSA

Bigger campouts, high-adventure trips, and a real say in what the group does next. Scouts earn merit badges and climb the ranks, with the chance to become an Eagle Scout.

Joins a Troop, organized into small Patrols. Youth who have finished 5th grade and are at least 10 may also join.
Learn about Scouts BSA

Ages 14 – 20

Venturing

Backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater. Teens and young adults dream up their own adventures and then make them happen.

Joins a Crew.
Learn about Venturing

Ages 14 – 20

Sea Scouts

Set sail in the Ocean State. Members learn to sail, navigate, and run a boat on Narragansett Bay and beyond.

Joins a Ship.
Learn about Sea Scouts

Ages 10 – 20

Exploring

Try a career before choosing one. Work alongside real professionals in law enforcement, fire service, healthcare, and more.

Joins a Club or Post.
Learn about Exploring

Not sure? Every local group is happy to talk with you before you sign up.

Sign up for Scouting

Military and Gold Star Family Fee Waiver
For military and Gold Star families

Join Scouting with the national fee waived

Military and Gold Star families have given so much. As a thank-you, the $85 national youth registration fee is waived for kids in these families:

  • A parent or guardian currently on active duty (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, or Coast Guard)
  • A parent or guardian currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves
  • Gold Star families, who have lost a loved one in military service

How to claim it

  1. Find a local group at BeAScout.org and start registering online.
  2. Select “Get Military Discount Code” and complete the quick verification.
  3. Enter your code at checkout. The $85 fee drops to $0.

The waiver covers youth members and online registration only, for both new and renewing members. Local unit dues and other costs aren’t included.

Getting started is easy

  1. Find a local group

    Enter your zip code at BeAScout.org to see Packs and Troops near you, with meeting times and contact info.

  2. Meet the leaders

    Reach out to the group or visit a meeting. Ask questions and see if it’s a good fit for your family.

  3. Sign up online

    Register through BeAScout.org and your child can start attending meetings and activities right away.

Questions families often ask

Is Scouting open to girls?

Yes. Every program is open to both boys and girls. Ask your local unit how their groups are set up.

Do parents need to get involved?

In the youngest Cub Scout grades, a parent or trusted adult takes part alongside their child. As kids get older, they do more on their own. Many parents enjoy volunteering, but it’s never required to join.

How much does it cost?

There’s a yearly registration fee, and some local units collect dues for activities. Your local leader can walk you through the costs. If cost is a concern, financial assistance is available, and military families can have the national fee waived entirely.

Does my child need a uniform right away?

No. Most families pick up uniform pieces over time. Your leader will let you know what’s needed, and you can find everything at the Narragansett Scout Shop.

How do you keep kids safe?

Every adult volunteer completes a background check and Safeguarding Youth training. Scouting follows strict youth protection policies at all activities.

Can we join in the middle of the year?

Yes. Local units welcome new members all year round.

Is Scouting a good fit for kids of all abilities?

Scouting is for everyone. Learn more about Scouting for All Abilities, or talk with your local leader about accommodations.

Scouting words, explained

You’ll hear these terms a lot in your first few weeks.

Pack
The local Cub Scout group, usually tied to a school, church, or community organization.
Den
A small group of Cub Scouts in the same grade who meet together within a Pack.
Troop
The local group for Scouts BSA members, ages 11 to 17.
Patrol
A small team of Scouts within a Troop who camp and work together.
Unit
A catch-all word for any local group: a Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, or Post.
Council
The regional organization that supports local units. Narragansett Council serves Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut.