A young person can join Scouts BSA when they are 11 years old, or when they are 10 and have finished fifth grade (registering on or after March 1), or when they are 10 and have earned the Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts. Youth stay eligible through age 17.
The three ways to qualify
Any one of these is enough — a Scout does not need all three.
- Age 11. The simplest path. No Cub Scout background is required.
- Age 10 and finished fifth grade, registering on or after March 1. This lets fifth graders cross over in the spring rather than waiting out the summer.
- Age 10 with the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouts, and it is the one Cub Scout award that can be worn on a Scouts BSA uniform.
A Scout may stay registered until their 18th birthday.
Does my child need Cub Scout experience?
No. Plenty of Scouts join Troop 25 with no Scouting background at all, often in sixth or seventh grade because a friend invited them. Scouts learn skills in order, alongside other youth, and nobody is expected to arrive knowing how to pitch a tent or cook over a fire.
Is there an upper age limit?
Registration ends at 18. A Scout working toward Eagle must complete the requirements before their 18th birthday, so a youth joining at 15 or 16 has less runway — it is still very much worth doing, and troop leaders will be honest with you about the timeline at a first visit. Adults 18 and over are welcome as registered leaders.
Boys and girls
Both. Troop 25 runs two linked troops: Troop 25B for boys and Troop 25G for girls. The age rules are identical. See how Scouts BSA differs from Cub Scouts if you are deciding which program fits, or read where our Scouts come from.
What it costs
The national youth membership fee is $85 for the 2026–27 program year. See the full cost breakdown.
Come see for yourself
The best way to decide is to visit. We meet Wednesdays from 6:45–8:15 PM in south St. Louis County. Plan a visit — there is no cost and nothing to sign.