Since its beginning days in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has been concerned with extending the Scouting program to boys in isolated areas or those who find it impossible to join a nearby Scouting unit. The Lone Scout plan serves such boys who cannot take part in a nearby Cub Scout pack or Boy Scout troop on a regular basis because of such factors as distance, weather, time, or disability. These boys apply for membership as individual Lone Cub Scouts or Lone Boy Scouts.

Although the Lone Scout member might miss the opportunity to participate in activities in the pack or troop, the program makes it possible for such boys to become members of the Boy Scouts of America and to know the fun, values, and achievement of Scouting.

Background

The Boy Scouts Association of Great Britain authorized this program in 1913. By then, Lone Scouts were found in Canada, New Zealand, Malta, Gibraltar, South Africa, and Burma.

William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher who helped organize the Boy Scouts of America in 1910, was responsible for organizing the Lone Scouts of America in 1915. The Lone Scouts of America and the Boy Scouts of America merged in 1924. Since then the Boy Scouts of America has administered a Lone Scout plan as part of its mission of bringing Scouting to all American youth who wish to take part, regardless of circumstances.

Who May Register as a Lone Scout

Provided the membership requirements are met, there are certain situations in which a boy's needs and interests might best be served by the Lone Scout plan because he cannot readily join a unit or attend meetings of packs and troops.

Boys who are eligible to become Lone Scouts include

Children of American citizens who live abroad
Exchange students away from the United States for a year or more
Boys with disabilities that might prevent them from attending regular meetings of packs or troops
Boys in rural communities who live far from a Scouting unit
Sons of migrant farmworkers
Boys who attend special schools, night schools, or boarding schools
Boys who have jobs that conflict with troop meetings
Boys whose families travel frequently, such as circus families, families who live on boats, and so on
Boys who alternate living arrangements with parents who live in different communities
Boys who are unable to attend unit meetings because of life-threatening communicable diseases
Boys whose parents believe their child might be endangered in getting to Scout unit meetings
Boys being home schooled whose parents do not want them in a youth group

All boys registering as Lone Cub Scouts and Lone Boy Scouts must do so through a BSA local council, with one exception: Sons of American citizens who live outside the United States should contact the International Division of the Boy Scouts of America.

Boys who are at least in the first grade and/or who are at least 7 years old but younger than 11 years old may join as Lone Cub Scouts. Boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award or have completed the fifth grade or who are 11 years old but younger than 18 years old may join as Lone Boy Scouts.

Counselor

Every boy registering as a Lone Scout must have an adult, 21 years or older, who meets adult membership requirements and agrees to serve as the boy's Lone Scout friend and counselor. This counselor is usually the boy's own parent but might also be his guardian, minister, teacher, 4-H Club leader, or an experienced Scouter who lives nearby.

The counselor encourages, instructs, examines, and reviews the boy on all steps toward Scouting advancement. This person also helps the Lone Scout take part in local council activities. For more information on the role of the Lone Scout friend and counselor, consult the Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook, No. 14-420B. This guidebook is also available in Spanish.

Lone Scout Activities

Although a Lone Scout carries out many activities at home and in his community, he also may participate in local district and council activities along with boys from local Scouting units. These may include camporees, Scouting shows, and service projects as well as Cub Scout day camp and Cub Scout or Boy Scout resident camp. A Lone Scout may be invited to special meetings of a pack or troop.

The Lone Scout follows the same basic program as other Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, but he carries out the program through independent action and self-reliance, special skills suitable to his situation, and communication (by letter, radio, e-mail, fax, etc.) with other Scouts.

Lone Cub Scouts and Lone Boy Scouts may advance in rank in the same manner as do Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in packs and troops. The only difference is that references to packs, dens, troops, and patrols do not apply.

Lone Scout Medallion, No. 00352A

Lone Scout Neckerchief, No. 00703A

Insignia and Uniforms

Lone Cub Scouts and Lone Boy Scouts are encouraged to purchase and wear a uniform as do other Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Wearing the uniform at appropriate times may have even more significance for a Lone Scout than for boys belonging to packs and troops. It can help to give the boy a feeling of belonging and support.

Lone Scouts are entitled to wear the Lone Scout emblem, No. 00352A, below the council shoulder patch on the left sleeve. They can wear any other badge or insignia appropriate to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Lone Scouts also have their own neckerchief, No. 00703A.

Former Lone Scouts

Hundreds of thousands of boys have belonged to the Boy Scouts of America as Lone Scouts. A significant number of people have experienced the fun, the satisfaction, and the values of the Scouting program through the Lone Scout plan.

Many of the Lone Scout alumni are currently registered with local councils and give unselfishly of their time and efforts. Many are Friends of Scouting, contributing funds toward the wellbeing of the local council. Others have joined the Lone Scout Foundation to maintain the fellowship of Lone Scouting. The Lone Scout Foundation is publisher of Memory Lodge Journal, 57 Confederate Way, Stafford, VA 22554-5175.