The NPS/Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger (Scout Ranger) program is a new, NPS-tailored certificate/patch program for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venturers. It is designed to increase scout visitation to national parks, promote a better understanding of the NPS mission among scouts and their families, educate young people about their responsibility in conserving our natural and cultural resources, encourage volunteer service and promote good citizenship.

This NPS/BSA program is a component of the umbrella initiative BSA Good Turn for America. This initiative encourages young people to “Do a Good Turn Daily” (special thoughtful acts of kindness), help other people and participate in community service projects.

Program Elements and Criteria

Unit Certificate

• This is an award for scout units/troops that participate for a minimum of five hours in an organized education program and/or volunteer service project at a national park unit.
• Troops are encouraged to submit a short narrative to the BSA Good Turn for America website describing their project and/or program participation and lessons learned from their participation.
• Qualifying organized educational program include:
• • Ranger guided interpretive tour
  • Junior Ranger program
  • Environmental education program
  • Any other official NPS education program
• Qualifying volunteer service projects include:
• • Any organized project that helps and enhances the natural and/or cultural resources of a park unit. Volunteer service can include but is not limited to performing trail restoration, campsite cleanup, and any activity for which the park identifies an appropriate volunteer opportunity.
• All volunteer service project hours will be recorded under the Volunteers in Parks Program (VIP).
• All scouts completing the requirements for the Junior Ranger program will also qualify for a Junior Ranger badge.

Scout leaders can download the certificate (pdf- 204k) from this site as needed.

Individual Patch

• This an individual award for scouts who participate for a minimum of 10 hours in an organized education program and/or volunteer service project at a national park unit.
• Qualifying organized educational program include:
• • Ranger guided interpretive tour
  • Junior Ranger program
  • Environmental education program
  • Any other official NPS education program
• Qualifying volunteer service projects include:
• • Any organized project that helps and enhances the natural and/or cultural resources of a park unit. Volunteer service can include but is not limited to performing trail restoration, campsite cleanup, and any activities for which the park identifies an appropriate volunteer opportunity.
• Scouts can qualify for this patch as a part of a troop unit or as an individual.
• This program is based on the BSA “scout’s honor” system. Scouts will be awarded a patch upon verbally reporting their completion of the program requirements to an NPS employee.
• All volunteer service project hours will be recorded under the Volunteers in Parks Program (VIP).
• All scouts completing the requirements for the Junior Ranger program will also qualify for a Junior Ranger badge.

For further information, please contact Youth Programs Manager George McDonald at 202-513-7146 or george_mcdonald@nps.gov