A Family Troop is an approved Scouts BSA unit structure in which boys and girls are members of the same troop, with one program and one set of youth and adult leaders. Patrols are typically gender-based, and all Scouts follow the same advancement requirements.
The model was tested nationally in a pilot from September 2024 to July 2025, when these units were called "combined troops." It is one of three options, and no troop is required to change.
Boys and girls often mature at different rates during adolescence, so separate boy or girl troops may suit some families, while others prefer a troop where boys and girls learn to work together. Parents should consider their child's readiness, temperament, and comfort.
Your Options
Chartered organizations in our council may:
Start a new Family Troop
Convert an existing Scouts BSA troop to a Family Troop, or merge a boy troop and a girl troop into one
Continue as a boy troop or girl troop
All three options are fully supported by the council.
Considering a Change?
Steps & Resources
If your unit is considering the Family Troop model, work through these steps together with your chartered organization, leaders, parents, and Scouts.
1
Review the Decision Guide
Walk through the questions every troop should talk about before making a change.
Your chartered organization must approve any change, and leaders, parents, and Scouts should broadly support it. Without broad support, the troop should not pursue the change.
4
Submit Intent to Convert
If your unit decides to convert, send the completed form to the council registrar.
Answers drawn from the Family Troop Decision Guide and Best Practices Guide.
Getting Started
What troop models are available?
Scouts BSA offers three models: boy troops, girl troops, and Family Troops. A Family Troop serves any eligible Scout in one troop, with one program and one set of youth and adult leaders. Local councils, chartered organizations, and troop leadership decide which model best fits their needs.
Who decides whether our troop becomes a Family Troop?
The chartered organization must be part of the discussion and must approve the change. If it does not approve, the troop cannot become a Family Troop.
Adult volunteers, parents, and Scouts should also be part of the conversation and broadly support the change. If a Scout can't commit to the decision, your district executive or unit commissioner can help them find another troop.
How do we make it official?
Submit the Intent to Convert Form to the council registrar. If two troops are merging, use the same form to show which troop becomes the Family Troop and which one will expire.
Merging Two Troops
What happens to our troop number?
A Family Troop may take a new number, a combined number, or the number of one of the existing troops. A single troop converting may keep its number or change it.
Do Scouts and leaders need to re-register?
If both troops share the same chartered organization, the council registrar can move everyone without new applications. If the chartered organizations are different, adults from the expiring troop complete new adult applications; youth can be moved by the registrar.
What about our equipment, money, and traditions?
Bank accounts, funds, trailers, and equipment are merged into the Family Troop. Neither troop is simply absorbed into the other, so talk together about which traditions to keep and which new ones to create, based on what the Scouts want.
Leadership & Patrols
What are the adult leadership requirements?
Two-deep leadership at all times, following Barriers to Abuse.
A registered female adult leader, age 21 or older, must be present at any activity involving female Scouts.
All adults must have current Safeguarding Youth Training.
Only one registered adult serves as Scoutmaster; the Scoutmaster completes Scoutmaster Leader-Specific Training and IOLS.
Both boys and girls need male and female adults in direct-contact roles as role models.
Are patrols mixed or separate?
Boys-only and girls-only patrols benefit many Scouts and are recommended, but mixed patrols may be needed in some situations. The chartered organization chooses the structure. No Scout should be placed in a patrol they or their parents are uncomfortable with.
How is youth leadership chosen?
A new Family Troop holds an election for senior patrol leader, voted on by the full troop. Every Scout should have a meaningful chance to lead and hold positions of responsibility.
Can a Family Troop run separate programs for boys and girls?
No. A Family Troop is one unified troop with one calendar and one program. Build cooperation, not competition, between boys and girls.
Safety on Outings
What are the tenting and buddy rules?
Male and female youth tent separately, following the Guide to Safe Scouting and Barriers to Abuse.
A single girl and a single boy may never be a buddy pair. A group of three is allowed.
Adults actively supervise, especially cooking areas and unstructured time.
After the Switch
We converted. What should we do next?
Confirm meeting times and locations.
Check every Scout's advancement records in Scoutbook.
Update Scoutbook with patrols and balances.
Publish a troop activity calendar.
Design and order a troop flag, neckerchief, and T-shirt as funds allow.
What if the Family Troop model isn't working?
A troop can move away from the Family Troop model. See the Converting From a Family Troop guide, and talk with your district executive or unit commissioner.
Questions about troop models?
Talk with your district executive or unit commissioner, or call the council office.
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