Membership Resources

How to Join

Visit our Sign Up for Scouting page to learn more about how to find a program that meets the age and outcomes you desire.

After you determine which program meets your needs, you can find a list of units (Pack/Troop/Crew/Post) by going to BeAScout.org. You can search for your desired program, by selecting the program type and entering your zip code. We recommend reaching out to the unit (click the REQUEST MORE INFORMATION button) and visiting a meeting or two.

For more information about the registration fees, please check out the National Membership & Council Fees page.

 

Registration Resources

Youth in any of the following units (Pack, Troop, or Crew) need to complete a Youth Application.

Applications can be completed online through BeAScout.org* or through a paper copy, which can be downloaded below or picked up from your unit/Council. Please refer to the Youth Member Application Checklist for what items are required in order to complete the application.

* Currently, not all units in Erie Shores Council accept online applications through BeAScout.

Applications are required for new, transfer (in or out of Council), or multiple (those serving in more than one unit - in or out of Council) Scouts.

  1. Returning Scouts do not need to submit a new application (unless they have been unregistered for more than a year or they are changing units).
  2. Out-of-Council transfers/multiples need to provide the following information: Name, Date of Birth, Membership ID (from the Council they are coming from), and the name of the Council they are transferring from.

Financial assistance for the National Membership fees and Scout handbooks is available if needed for youth members only, please complete the Registration Scholarship Application for consideration.

Adult Leaders in any of the following units (Pack, Troop, or Crew) or non-units need to complete a Adult Leader Application.

Applications can be completed online through BeAScout.org* or through a paper copy, which can be downloaded below or picked up from your unit/Council. Refer to the Adult Application Checklist for what items are needed in order to complete an adult application.

* Currently, not all units in Erie Shores Council accept online applications through BeAScout.

Applications are required for new, leadership position changes within the same unit, transfer (in or out of Council), or multiple (those serving in more than one unit - in or out of Council) Scouts.

  1. Returning Adult Leaders do not need to submit a new application (unless they have been unregistered for more than a year, or they are changing units, or they are changing adult leadership positions within their unit).
  2. Out-of-Council transfers/multiples need to provide the following information: Name, Date of Birth, Membership ID (from the Council they are coming from), and the name of the Council they are transferring from.

Complete adult applications include:

** New adult leaders will not be seen in the roster until their criminal background checks are cleared. Please refer to the following page: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Authorization Updates for additional information.

Youth in Explorer Posts have separate applications that need to be completed for registration.

Currently, we are only accepting paper copy applications which can be downloaded below or picked up from your unit/Council. Refer to the Explorer Youth Member Application Checklist for what items are needed in order to complete an application.

Applications are required for new, transfer (in or out of Council), or multiple (those serving in more than one Explorer unit - in or out of Council) Scouts.

  1. Returning Scouts do not need to submit a new application (unless they have been unregistered for more than a year or they are changing Explorer units).
  2. Out-of-Council transfers/multiples need to provide the following information: Name, Date of Birth, Membership ID (from the Council they are coming from), and the name of the Council they are transferring from.

Explorer Post - Adult Leaders

Adult Leaders in Explorer Posts have separate applications that need to be completed for registration.

Currently, we are only accepting paper copy applications which can be downloaded below or picked up from your unit/Council. Refer to the Explorer Adult Leader Application Checklist for what items are needed in order to complete an application.

Applications are required for new, leadership position changes within the same Explorer unit, transfer (in or out of Council), or multiple (those serving in more than one Explorer unit - in or out of Council) Scouts.

  1. Returning Adult Leaders do not need to submit a new application (unless they have been unregistered for more than a year, or they are changing Explorer units, or they are changing adult leadership positions within their Explorer unit).
  2. Out-of-Council transfers/multiples need to provide the following information: Name, Date of Birth, Membership ID (from the Council they are coming from), and the name of the Council they are transferring from.

Complete Explorer Post - adult applications include:

** New adult leaders will not be seen in the roster until their criminal background checks are cleared. Please refer to the following page: Criminal Background Check (CBC) Authorization Updates for additional information.

Merit Badge Counselors

Adults interested in serving as merit badge counselors* must be registered members of Scouting America. The cost is $25.00 per person. If they are already registered in another adult leadership capacity, then there is no additional charge to serve.

Merit Badge Counselors need to complete the same application materials as that of an adult leader. In addition, merit badge counselors need to complete a merit badge counselor application. The application can be downloaded from this site or picked up at the Council offices.

* Merit Badge counselors who are not also registered in a unit position are not allowed to attend overnight Scouting activities/events.

 

 

Updated: September 8, 2025 by MS