Scouting America troops across the nation, and here in the CPC, participated in a family troop pilot (called a “combined troop” during the pilot) between September 2024 and July 2025. These placed Scouts who were boys and girls in Scouts BSA into a single troop under the leadership of one set of youth and adults.
What’s the difference between a “Linked Troop” and a “Family Troop?”
A Family Troop is a Scouts BSA troop that serves both eligible boys and girls within a single chartered unit, operating as one troop with one program, while following all Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse requirements.
Family Troops are a council approved option and are not required.
A Linked Troop consists of two separate Scouts BSA troops (one serving boys, one serving girls) that:
- Share the same chartered organization, and
- Share the same troop committee.
Each troop remains a separate unit with its own youth leadership and program execution, even though resources may be shared.
