Family Troop Best Practices
Family Troops combining both girls and boys into a single unit is now allowed! Learn how to make the switch.About Family Scout BSA Troops
Scouting America troops across the nation participated in a family troop pilot (called a “combined troop” during the pilot) between September 2024 and July 2025. Thise placed Scouts who were boys and girls in Scouts BSA into a single troop under the leadership of one set of youth and adults.
Below are links to the downloadable step-by-step guides and checklists to decide whether and how to go about becoming a “Family Troop.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Definitions
What is a Linked Troop?
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.
What is 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.
2. Approval & Authority
Who decides whether a troop is linked, family, or single gender?
The chartered organization makes the decision. Best practice is to involve:
- Unit Key 3
- Parents and Scouts
- District and Council Commissioners
Additional approvals for Family Troops
Family Troops require approval from:
- Chartered Organization
- District Commissioner
- Council Commissioner
- Council Registrar
Commissioner involvement is required throughout the evaluation and approval process.
3. Committee & Leadership Structure
Do linked troops share a committee?
Yes. Linked troops must share the same troop committee.
Do Family Troops have one committee?
Yes. Family Troops operate as one troop with one committee.
Can adult leaders serve both boy and girl troops?
Yes.
- Assistant Scoutmasters may serve both troops if registered in both units.
- Adult leadership may include men and women in any configuration.
- A registered female adult leader (21+) must be present at any activity involving female Scouts.
All Youth Protection policies apply.
4. Meetings, Activities & Program
Can linked troops meet at the same time and place?
Yes, if approved by the chartered organization.
Can linked troops run meetings together?
Yes, if approved by the chartered organization.
Can linked troops run meetings together?
No.
- Opening and closing activities may be done together.
- The main portion of meetings must be conducted separately to preserve unit leadership and program integrity.
Can linked troops camp or hold activities together?
Yes, provided:
- Each troop provides its own required leadership
- Barriers to Abuse are followed
- Privacy and separate accommodations are maintained
How do Family Troops operate programmatically?
Family Troops:
- Operate as one troop
- Have one calendar and one program
- Do not run separate boy/girl programs
5. Patrols & Youth Leadership
Can Patrol Leaders’ Councils be merged in linked troops?
No. Linked troops must have separate PLCs for boys and girls.
Are mixed gender patrols allowed?
- Linked Troops: No. Program integrity requires single gender troops and PLCs.
- Family Troops: Patrol structure is flexible and may be single gender‑ or mixed gender‑, as approved by the chartered organization and unit leadership.
- National guidance recommends single-gender patrols whenever possible to preserve program integrity, youth leadership development, and age-appropriate dynamics.
6. Unit Numbers, Equipment & Resources
Can linked troops share the same unit number?
Yes, with chartered organization and council approval.
- Letter suffixes (e.g., Troop 100A / 100B) are not permitted.
Who owns equipment and funds?
The chartered organization owns all equipment and funds.
Linked troops are encouraged to coordinate equitable use of shared equipment. Separate equipment is allowed if resources permit.
7. Minimum Size & Sustainability (Family Troops)
Recommendations
- Recommended: 5 Scouts of a gender for sustainability
- Temporary: 3–4 Scouts of a gender may operate with commissioner approval
Growth Plans
Growth plans must include:
- Recruitment strategies
- Target numbers
- Timeline
- Leadership capacity
- Commissioner check‑ins
- Contingency plan if growth is not achieved
8. If a Model Is Not Working
Linked Troops
Chartered organizations may reevaluate their structure at renewal or sooner if needed.
Family Troops
With proper approvals, a Family Troop may:
- Convert to single gender
- Split into linked boy and girl troops
A transition plan must be developed to support affected Scouts.
9. What Is Not Allowed
- Combining boys and girls into one troop without Family Troop approval
- Mixed gender patrols or PLCs in linked troops
- Male and female patrols within a single non‑family troop
10. Support & Resources
Units should work closely with:
- Unit Commissioner
- District Commissioner
- Council Commissioner
- District Executive
- Council Registrar
For safety and leadership standards, always refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting and Barriers to Abuse.