ScoutBook
(See below for how to create a shortcut on your mobile device)
The Troop uses ScoutBook.com for administration of the troop, including:
All communication:
(Communications is shared through Google as well)
Calendars and Outings Attendance (RSVP's)
Advancement tracking
Email contacts for all Troop members.
Resources such as links to BSA content and internal Forums.
All Scouts and their Parents should have an account to connect with the Troop.
Parent Accounts:
After joining the Troop, Parents will receive an email with a link to create an account. Within their account, they will be linked to their son's account to give parents access, visibility, and control of their son's online activity. Parents will then need to create a separate account so their Scout can also have direct access.
New Parent Tutorial:
Parent Tutorial: This includes how a parent can access and use their ScoutBook Account, tutorials on the features of ScoutBook, and how to grant your Scout access to their own account to (a) receive Troop communications, (b) access the Calendar, and (c) manage their Rank Advancements and Merit Badges.
Tutorials for how to use the rest of ScoutBook:
List of all ScoutBook Tutorials: [Click Here]
Youth Accounts:
After logging into their own account, parents have to grant access for their Scouts to have an account. The Steps are as follows:
Log into your own account on ScoutBook.com (there is a “Forgot My Password” link, if needed. If you are unsure of which email address your account uses, please ask a volunteer or email help@troop431.org)
Open ‘My Dashboard.'
Click your Son's profile under 'My Family'
Click on your son’s ‘Edit Profile.'
Scroll to the bottom and click ‘Invite [xxx] to Connect.'
Enter your son’s email address
Have your Scout log into their email account and ‘accept’ your invitation inside the email message and choose a password.
Creating a Shortcut for your mobile device, BSA Scouting APP
For quick access, you can put an icon on your device's home screen which will act very much like an iOS or Android app:
for Apple/iOS devices: Navigate to scoutbook.com in your internet browser. Click the "Share" button at the bottom of your screen (it's a square with an up arrow coming out of it). Scroll right through the grey icons and click the "Add to Home Screen" Option.
for Android/Google devices: Navigate to scoutbook.com in your Chrome browser. Click the menu button and "Add to Home Screen."
BSA has also released a mobile application for Parents and Youth to use (no leader approval functions) Below are the links to download it on your mobile device.
Tracking Your Advancements in your Handbook AND ScoutBook:
We have moved to the online advancement tracking software, Scoutbook, where you can view your Scout’s advancement progress easily. However, keeping the log up to date in your Scout Handbook is still of extreme importance, especially for Eagle Scout documentation. Although Scoutbook is owned by the BSA, your Scout Handbook is the only official advancement record – please keep it safe and up to date. Periodically taking and storing pictures of the Rank Advancement pages of your Scoutbook as well as you Merit Badge Blue Cards is also a good practice.
For merit badge, camping or service log entries, parents can enter those in Scoutbook (subject to being approved by a Troop adult leader), or just snap a photo of updated entries and email it to the advancement coordinator (advancement@troop431.org)
FAQ's about Scout Accounts, Parental Control, and Online Safety:
"Why does my son need access?" We would like all of our Scout's to have their own access as Scoutbook is integral to our communication, event planning, and advancement processes. Of particular importance, the Advancement process allows your son to submit his rank and merit badge completions (along with a digital picture) through Scoutbook which greatly improves the speed and efficiency of our Advancement process.
"Our family already has an account, why does he need his own?" In addition to your Parent account which was created when your son joined, a separate account would be very helpful by allowing him direct access to the tools in Scoutbook. As a parent, you have complete control of your son’s access and can monitor all of his activities and communications. As part of that parental control, only you (not Scout or the Troop) can grant him access. The Leaders will never have access to the Scout's email address or cell phone numbers. Additionally, the parents will be copied automatically on any messages or texts to the Scouts. Text activation is done by a Scout himself once he has an account. Text activation is in the Edit Profile just like it is for an Adult. If you have questions about online safety/security before proceeding, please discuss with Chris or John
"What if my son doesn’t have an email account yet?" To establish his account, your son will need his own email address (separate from yours). If your Scout does not have an email address, you can manage his Advancement/Merit records and communications for him.
"What if I opt out?" If you choose not to grant your Scout direct access at this point, you can manage his Advancement/Merit records and communications for him.
"I did this already, but my son still doesn't have access." To complete the process, your son has to log in to his email and click the “Accept” button to accept your invitation to join. He will be able to create a login password at that point as well.