Scouting America | Auburn, WA

Troops 401 and 8401

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Family Onboarding

New Parent Info

Start here for the basics of joining Troop 401, preparing for outings, understanding health and safety expectations, and navigating the Scouts BSA program as a family.

Visit a Tuesday meeting and meet the youth and adult leaders.
Use BeAScout to confirm registration steps and submit the national application.
Ask troop leadership what local forms, dues, and gear are expected this season.
Keep health forms ready before campouts, summer camp, and longer activities.

Join Troop 401

Scouts BSA is for youth ages 11 through 17 and centers on outdoor adventure, leadership, service, and steady advancement through the program.

The best first step is still a visit. Come to a Tuesday meeting, meet the Scoutmaster team, and ask how Troop 401 handles registration, dues, uniforms, and upcoming campouts.

Once your family is ready, use BeAScout to complete the online registration. The current online registration amount is $125, and troop leaders can explain any separate dues or activity costs.

Getting started

Health Forms

Use the current Annual Health and Medical Record from Scouting America. Parts A and B are required for all participants in Scouting activities, and Part C is typically needed for events longer than 72 hours such as summer camp or high-adventure trips.

Fundraising and Financial Help

Troop costs can include registration, dues, camping fees, uniforms, and activity expenses across the year. Some families also use fundraising or assistance programs to offset those costs.

Because those details are handled locally and can change from season to season, ask current troop leaders which fundraising options are active and whether any camp or fee assistance is available.

If cost is a concern, it is worth asking early. Leaders can usually explain deadlines, payment timing, and whether assistance is available for camp or dues.

Questions to ask

  • What are this year's troop dues and payment dates?
  • Are there fundraising options for families who want to participate?
  • Is camp or activity assistance available if needed?

Youth Protection (YPT)

Youth protection is a core part of every Scouting activity. Families should expect clear supervision standards, no one-on-one contact between adults and youth, and well-defined rules for transportation, communication, and overnight activities.

Adults who plan to volunteer regularly should ask whether they need current Safeguarding Youth training before helping with trips, transportation, or leadership roles.

Review the current national guidance below, then confirm any troop-specific expectations with leaders before an outing or event.

Uniform Info

Ask troop leaders what your Scout should wear to a regular meeting, a court of honor, and a campout before buying extra items. Most troops distinguish between a field uniform for formal occasions and activity wear for travel, work projects, or camp.

If you are unsure about patch placement or insignia, use the national guide below and then confirm any troop-specific preferences with the Scoutmaster team.

Uniform reference

How to Earn a Merit Badge

The process is straightforward: start by talking with the Scoutmaster or another troop leader, choose a badge that fits the Scout's interests, and make sure the troop connects the Scout with an approved merit badge counselor.

Parents can help most by making sure the Scout follows the troop's process first rather than jumping straight into a workbook or requirement list on their own.

Blue Card

Some troops still use paper blue cards, while others rely on Scoutbook or use a mix of both. Ask Troop 401 which method they use now so a Scout starts merit badge work in the right system from day one.

Membership Fee

The current online registration amount is $125. Families can start that process through BeAScout, which is the public registration entry point for Scouts BSA.

That online fee may not be the full yearly cost. Ask troop leadership for a plain breakdown of troop dues, expected outing costs, camp deposits, and any deadlines tied to summer camp or major trips.

Use the online registration page to get started, and the contact page to confirm who handles fee questions for the troop.

Parent & Guardian How-To Guide

Outings and permission slips

Use the event instructions supplied by the trip leader. Online RSVPs and transportation planning are the next protected workflow planned for this site.

Courts of honor

Courts of honor recognize advancement and awards. Ask leaders about timing, uniform expectations, family attendance, and any reception or setup help.

Helping with advancement

Encourage planning and practice, but let the Scout contact leaders, demonstrate skills, and own the advancement process. Confirm any parent-completed requirements with the handbook and troop advancement chair.

Attending outings

Ask the outing lead before making plans. Adult registration, current youth-protection training, transportation rules, and activity-specific training may apply.

How Adults Can Help

Families can help in ways that fit their time and skills. Ask current leaders where the real gaps are before completing registration or training.

  • Merit badge counselor
  • Committee position
  • Scoutmaster team
  • Transportation, events, or fundraising

All About Gear

Borrow or rent when practical before buying expensive equipment. Fit matters most for boots, backpacks, and sleep systems.

Ask the Quartermaster what the troop supplies, what each Scout must bring, and whether used gear is available before shopping.

  • What does the troop lend?
  • Is there a current gear exchange?
  • What donations can the troop accept?
  • Which purchases should wait until after the first outing?