"This is ALL new to us...where can I get more information?

A listing of resources is linked to this page, but in this order, please use the following to get answers to most if not all, of your concerns and questions about Lone Scouting. Keep in mind that some of these resources are NOT available to you locally because Lone Scouting is an OPTIONAL BSA program option. Not every local Council will use Lone Scouting as part of their overall youth outreach.

The FIRST person you should reach out to is your Lone Scout or Council Commissioner. Some Councils have appointed an Assistant Council Commissioner to serve Lone Scouting on a Council-wide basis. If your Council does not have such a volunteer, contact your Council's Commissioner. In other local Councils, there is a volunteer who is serving as your Commissioner along with several other Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and/or Venturing units. Don't discount this person simply because they do not have youth in the Lone Scouting program -- they know a good deal about the BSA, and Lone Scouting is a part of the Boy Scouts of America!

If your Commissioner can't assist you, each District within your Council has a person working Scouting as a full-time job. He or she is titled differently, according to their responsibilities within the local Council. Most are titled "District Executive" and some may be titled "Senior District Executive" or "District Director". These men and women received about a day's worth of training and instruction on the Lone Scouting program (as part of their initial two-week national professional management course) and how it should be conducted on a "global" or "ideal" basis. Then, when they return to their local Council, they are coached by senior managers on how Lone Scouting will be used (or not) in THEIR COUNCIL. Not all Councils use Lone Scouting in the way taught at the BSA's Professional Leadership Institute (PDI); therefore, there is no consistancy from one Council to another. However, these men and women KNOW SCOUTING, and should be able to answer your questions or concerns if your Commissioner cannot assist you.

To find your Commissioner or your District's Executive or other professional, use the "RESOURCES" sheet or contact your local Council office via phone or web. Contact information of the BSA local Council office nearest you is found from a search using the BSA's official Council locator webpage. You can also go to Be a Scout.org and enter in your zip code.

If nobody in your Council can assist you, please use our "Discussion" area above to post your question or concern. There are lots of Lone Scouting families and individuals who can be of major support and assistance to you and your Scout as they go through the Scouting program. If you have not subscribed to the Yahoo Lone Scouting discussion group, follow the instructions on the site to do so. And participate yourself -- share your experiences, both good and bad, with the Lone Scouting program and Scouting in general -- with other families and Lone Scouters!!

If the discussion area cannot be of assistance, then your situation is one to which you should send an email to Mike Walton. As described elsewhere, Mike Walton is a longtime BSA volunteer, former part-time professional and Lone Scout Friend and Counselor and Lone Scout. He knows Scouting and has resources to help you and your Scout to make through the "wickets" of the Scouting program. Please post him as a last resort, however. MOST of the issues dealing with Lone Scouting are issues which "traditional Packs and Troops" deal with and are LOCAL ISSUES for the most part. So give the people locally a chance to be of service with you before posting a note to Mike.