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GSC132

Scoutbook - the Key to Organizing a Scout Unit

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NCAC University of Scouting 2025

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Who is Bryan? | Can I trust him?

  • Passionate about using technology to bring Scouts and Scouters together to deliver the very best Scouting program we can.

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  • Scouts BSA Troop 98 Scoutmaster
    • Former Pack 98 Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Den Leader, and more…
  • Executive Board Member, National Capital Area Council
  • Chair and Assistant Council Commissioner for Scouting Connect & Tech
  • Washington, DC District Committee Member
  • Council Champion, Scoutbook User Advisory Council

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Welcome to Scoutbook

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Today’s Slides

GSC132 Scoutbook - the Key to Organizing a Scout Unit

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Bryan N. Martin Firvida

bryanscouting@gmail.com

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Scouting America Systems

my.Scouting.org

  • Leads & Applications
  • Training Records
  • Roster and Renewals

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Internet Advancement (IA) + Scoutbook

  • https://advancements.scouting.org
  • Advancement system
  • Reports

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Scoutbook / Scoutbook Plus

  • https://scoutbook.scouting.org
  • Advancement system
  • Unit management
  • Communication

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Scouting America Advancement

Scoutbook

Scoutbook Plus

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Scoutbook Change Long

Scoutbook Change Log

  • Latest updates on features and bug fixes
  • Part of Scouting America Forums

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Using Scoutbook Plus Calendar

  • All the updates and guidance

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Scouting App for Parents & Scouts

  • Scouting app built for Scouts and their parents and pulls existing advancement data straight from Scoutbook into a fun and easy-to-use interface.
  • When Scouting adventures take you off the grid, app’s offline capability allows you to access advancement data anywhere and any time.

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Most Common Scoutbook Issues

  • Access: Scouting America Single Sign On
  • Roster / Registration: youth and adults not registered with Scouting America / my.Scouting
  • Technical: random technical issues

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Scoutbook Features

  • Day-to-day management for Packs, Troops, Crews, and Ships
  • Fills gap between activity start and completion (think homework versus final grades)
  • Roster and Advancement syncs w/my.Scouting
  • Calendars for Unit, Dens, and Patrols
  • Send Email and Text messages
  • Official list of registered and active Merit Badge Counselors
  • Single Sign On with my.Scouting user ID

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Scoutbook Features

  • Supports unit organization for Packs and Troops
  • Packs should use Dens to support advancement
  • Troops do not have to use Patrols

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What’s Next for Scoutbook Plus

  • New bulk entry for rank and merit badge requirements
  • New messaging features and groups
  • Updated Scout Shop Purchase Order and Ordering
  • Continuing improvements to Calendar

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Scoutbook is NOT a Replacement

Handbooks and Merit Badge Pamphlets remain THE “How To” guides for Scouts

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Scoutbook allows recording along the way in real time, saving and synchronizing to Scouting America records

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Scoutbook Resources + Assistance

Scoutbook Knowledge Base: help.scoutbook.scouting.org

  • Also has Internet Advancement and my.Scouting articles

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Scouting Forums: discussions.scouting.org

  • Scoutbook forums are THE best place for technical support

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Council professionals / Scouting staff

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Navigating Scoutbook

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Navigating Scoutbook

Upcoming Events

Navigate Roster by Scout or by Patrol/Den

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Navigating Scoutbook Roster

Roster data from my.Scouting.org

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Adult Leaders MUST be registered

Manage Patrol rosters and functional positions

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Tracking Activity in Scoutbook

Current Rank

% to next Rank

Earned Rank and Merit Badges

Official Awards

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Advancement in Scoutbook

Completed Ranks

Ranks they’re working on

Merit Badges

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Merit Badges

  • Can print Blue Cards for paper records; Internet Advancement is the official record of Merit Badge work
  • Black Pug advancement records can be imported into Scoutbook

Merit Badge Counselor assigned to work with Scout

Can indicate Blue Card is “signed” and can print requirement completion on blue card

Requirement approval similar to Rank advancement

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Send Emails and Texts

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Sending Emails and Texts

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Calendars

Manage and subscribe to unit, patrol, or den calendars

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Reporting

Robust reporting on Scoutbook data or direct links to my.Scouting.org or Internet Advancement reports/data

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Recent Scoutbook Releases

  • Eagle Scout Rank Application for 2025 Report
  • Updated requirements
  • Scoutbook Change Log

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Q&A + Scoutbook Resources

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Thank You | Contact Info + Slides

GSC132 Scoutbook - the Key to Organizing a Scout Unit

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Bryan N. Martin Firvida

bryanscouting@gmail.com