Everything you need to know about Scoutly, Scouting America’s new AI tool

Say hello to Scoutly, Scouting America’s powerful new AI assistant designed to provide instant, reliable support for the entire Scouting community.

Whether it’s a question about an item in the Guide to Safe Scouting, the proper uniform for Cub Scouts or the contact information for a Scouting unit near you, Scoutly can point you in the right direction.

“Scoutly is more than a search tool — it’s an interactive chatbot trained on an extensive, contained knowledge base of official Scouting America resources,” according to a Scouting America news release. “This ensures a safe, child-friendly experience without relying on external internet searches.”

What is Scoutly?

Scoutly is an AI tool trained only on official Scouting America documents. Anyone who’s ever searched the internet for information knows there’s a risk of getting outdated or even outright false information.

With Scoutly, that risk is gone. By providing easy, instant access to critical information, Scoutly allows leaders and parents to focus on what truly matters: providing a life-changing experience for young people.

How do I access Scoutly?

Scoutly is available all day every day on Scouting.org and BeAScout.org. You can interact with Scoutly by selecting the floating Scoutly icon on the lower right corner of either website.

Scoutly is available in the bottom right corner of BeAScout.org and the Scouting.org homepage.

What can Scoutly do?

Scoutly has access to all of the organization’s data on merit badges, meaning it can provide detailed guidance on the requirements and other information in the merit badge pamphlets.

Since Scoutly has access to BeAScout, Scouting America’s primary tool to help families find a unit near them, it can help new parents find and register their children in a local unit, streamlining the entire onboarding process into a more conversational approach.

When you first access Scoutly on the BeAScout website, it automatically greets you with, “Hello I’m Scoutly, an AI chatbot that can help you find a Scout unit near you and register. We value your privacy and will keep your information secure. How can I help you today?”

When you access Scoutly from the scouting.org home page, you get the message, “Hello I am Scoutly, an AI-based chatbot that can help answer general questions about Scouting and help you with common tasks. We value your privacy and will keep your information secure. How can I help you today?”

Scoutly is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can access it on your time — not someone else’s.

Also, Scoutly is always learning. More and more official Scouting publications are added to its knowledge base each week. And information on Sea Scouts, Venturing and Exploring will be added soon.

When you open Scoutly from BeAScout.org (left), it asks if you’d like to register for Scouting. If you open it on the Scouting.org homepage (right), it offers different options.

What kind of questions can you ask Scoutly?

Here are a few things I asked Scoutly, along with its responses.

AOS: What do Cub Scouts do?

Scoutly: Cub Scouts is a program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade that offers fun and educational activities such as:

• Outdoor adventures (hikes, campouts)
• Field trips
• Nature and conservation experiences
• Crafts and games
• Service projects
• Pinewood Derby competitions

The program focuses on helping children grow physically, mentally, and socially while involving families and developing leadership skills.

AOS: How do you earn the rank of Eagle Scout?

Scoutly: To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Scout must:

• Be active in their troop for at least six months as a Life Scout
• Earn 21 merit badges:
  • 14 specific required merit badges (including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Communication, Cooking, Personal Fitness)
  • 7 additional elective merit badges
• Complete the Eagle Scout Rank Application
• Provide references for recommendations
• Demonstrate how they live by the Scout Oath and Scout Law
• Complete all requirements before turning 18 years old
• Pass a board of review
• Complete an approved Eagle Scout service project
  • Project must be approved by the benefiting organization, Scoutmaster, and council
  • Use the official Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

AOS: How should I conduct a board of review?

How to conduct a board of review:

• Preparation:
  • Verify Scout has completed all rank requirements
  • Schedule review promptly
  • Assemble 3-6 board members (no unit leaders or parents)
• Review Process:
  • Have Scout appear before the board
  • Ask questions about their Scouting experience
  • Discuss the Scout’s growth and achievements
  • Ask Scout to leave the room temporarily
  • Board members discuss in private
  • Unanimously decide on advancement
  • Call Scout back and inform of decision
• Key Guidelines:
  • Offer encouragement and praise
  • Cannot deny review if requirements are met
  • Cannot ask for additional work beyond requirements
  • Provide clear guidance if requirements are not complete
• Important Notes:
  • Review date becomes official advancement date
  • Can be conducted for advancing and non-advancing Scouts
  • Focus on the Scout’s overall Scouting experience

Remember: The board of review is about understanding the Scout’s journey, not retesting their skills.

AOS: How can I become a Scout leader?

Steps to become a Scout leader:

• Initial Requirements:
  • Be selected by a chartered organization (church, school, civic group)
  • Commit to Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Scouter Code of Conduct
• Application Process:
  • Complete comprehensive application
  • Provide references and past addresses
  • Submit to criminal background check
  • Get approval from chartered organization head
• Training Requirements:
  • Complete basic training for your specific leadership position
  • For Scoutmasters/Assistant Scoutmasters:
    • Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training
    • Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
• Key Qualities:
  • Genuine belief in youth development
  • Commitment to guiding young people
  • Ability to create positive experiences

Note: Becoming a Scout leader is a privilege that requires careful screening to ensure youth safety.

AOS: Is there a Cub Scout pack near me?

Scoutly: (Shows me a map with all the Cub Scout packs near me indicated with pins.)