The Scout Handbook is available at scoutshop.org and many nationally operated Scout shops.
Every scout will need their own Handbook and we highly recommend purchasing the canvas zipper cover offered at the Scout Shop. *** Make sure your scout writes their name in dark pen or Sharpie on their book and their canvas cover. This is their workbook that they will use for the years until they finish the Scouting program. This is not a book that can be shared.
NOTE: There is a handbook for males and a handbook for females.
Why are there two different handbooks? The volunteer-led board of directors wanted to ensure Scouts can see themselves represented accurately in the pages, and having two handbooks was the most effective way to do that. The photos reflect the gender of the troop of which the Scout is a member. In other words, male scouts will see images of other male scouts in the Scouts BSA Handbook for Males; female scouts will see images of other female scouts in the Scouts BSA Handbook for Females.
Is the content the same between the Scouts BSA Handbook for Males and the Scouts BSA Handbook for Females?
Yes, the content, advancement requirements, and page numbers are exactly the same. All that’s different is the photos.
What Did and Didn’t Change from the Boy Scout Handbook to the current Scouting America Handbooks?
What didn’t change:
- Requirements
- Program elements
What did change:
- Images, which reflect the troop of which the Scout is a member
- The program name—Boy Scouts becomes Scouts BSA and is now finally listed as Scouting America
- Youth Protection guidelines, which are regularly updated to keep young people safe and are now named SYT or Safeguarding Youth Training.
- Minor grammar and formatting fixes to the 13th Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook
Can a Scout continue to use the 13th Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook if they still have that version?
Absolutely. But be aware that rules and requirements can be updated, so always look for the latest requirements online or in Scoutbook.
