Scouting America has introduced Unit Metrics as a new way to understand and support unit success. Unit Metrics replace older, more subjective scoring systems with clear, objective indicators that focus on what matters most: keeping youth engaged and units thriving.
What Are Unit Metrics?
Unit Metrics look at five key areas that research and experience show are strongly connected to unit strength and long‑term sustainability. Each metric is either met or not met, resulting in a simple score from 0 to 5.
| Unit Metric | Cub Scout Pack | Scouts BSA Troops | Sea Scouts Ships | Venturing Crews | Explorer Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Leaders Trained | Cubmaster and Committee Chair position trained | Scoutmaster and Committee Chair position trained | Skipper and Committee Chair position trained | Advisor and Committee Chair position trained | Advisor and Committee Chair position trained |
| Exceed Small Unit Threshold | 20 or more Cubs in Pack | 12 or more Scouts in Troop | 7 or more Sea Scouts in Ship | 7 or more Venturers in Crew | 7 or more Explorers in Post |
| Year Over Year Membership Growth | Positive YOY membership growth OR Pack has 50+ Cubs | Positive YOY membership growth OR Troop has 30+ Scouts | Positive YOY membership growth OR Ship has 15+ Sea Scouts | Positive YOY membership growth OR Crew has 15+ Venturers | Positive YOY membership growth OR Post has 30+ Explorers |
| Advancements/Youth Leadership | At least 30% of Cubs have rank advancements in prior 12 months | At least 30% of Scouts have rank advancements in prior 12 months | At least 20% of Sea Scouts have rank advancements in prior 12 months | Crew led by youth officers elected by their peers and trained | Post led by youth officers elected by their peers and trained |
| Outdoor/Super Activity | Pack participated in outdoor activities in prior 12 months | Troop participated in long-term camp in prior 12 months | Ship participated in Super Activity in prior 12 months | Crew participated in Tier III Activity in prior 12 months | Post participated in Super Activity in prior 12 months |
Units that meet more of these metrics are more likely to retain youth and renew year after year.
Why Unit Metrics Matter
Unit Metrics are not an evaluation or a judgment. They are designed to:
- Highlight strengths and opportunities
- Guide helpful conversations with unit commissioners
- Focus support where it is most needed
- Reduce paperwork and subjective scoring
Units scoring 0–2 simply signal that extra support may be helpful—not that leaders are doing something wrong.
How Unit Leaders Should Use Them
Unit Metrics work best when used as a planning and improvement tool:
- Review your unit’s metrics regularly
- Make sure advancement, activities, and camping are recorded accurately
- Use metrics to guide goal‑setting for the coming months
- Partner with your unit commissioner and ask, “How can we strengthen this area?”
Where to Find Your Unit Metrics
Unit Key 3 members can view Unit Metrics by logging into my.scouting.org, selecting their unit, and opening the Unit Dashboard under Organization Manager.
Take Action
While most of the metrics are calculated based on information already in my.scouting, the Outdoor Activity category must be manually entered by a Key 3 Member from each unit. Click “Unit Data Metric Entry” to enter the date of your most recent outdoor activity. After clicking “Submit Entry”, your unit’s metric will be updated overnight.
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