“The real way to gain happiness is to give it to others.”
— Baden Powell
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Service Hours

A service project is a special Good Turn that puts Scout spirit into action. Some Good Turns are big—saving a life, helping out after floods or other disasters, recycling community trash, working on conservation projects. But Good Turns are often small, thoughtful acts—helping a child cross a busy street, going to the store for an elderly neighbor, cutting back brush that is blocking a sign, doing something special for a brother or sister, or welcoming a new student to your school. Anyone can get involved in a Good Turn. 

Before you do any Service Event:

  1. The Service Event must be approved in advance! Please send an email to 216friscoService@gmail.com 

  2. The Service must help a non-profit organization. Raising funds for a non-profit is NOT service.

  3. The Service must be available to all members of the Troop.

  4. Solo events are discouraged, however may be approved by the Scoutmaster on a case by case. Most solo events are "Good Turns" not service.

At the Service Event:

  1. Document your Service - Pictures are great! Bring them to show your Scoutmaster or Asst. Scoutmasters.

  2. Have the Leader of the event sign your service hours page in your book or on the Service Hours form. Troop Service Event Form

After the Service Event:

  1. Bring your paperwork to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair for final signatures.

  2. Show your book service page to the Advancement Team or turn in the signed form.

Common Mistakes to avoid:

  • Volunteering at your School or Church is not considered service hours - this is considered "Good Turns" remember to do a good turn daily.

  • Helping a neighbor or grandparents around the house or in the yard is not service - again "Good Turn"

  • Raising funds for a donation is not service - Raising funds to purchase needs for the organization is service. This one is tricky, raising funds to purchase wheelchairs and then donating the wheelchairs to the children's hospital is Service.

  • Doing service before the merit badge blue card is open does not count for that requirement.

  • Service hours for rank advancement are credited towards the next advancement once the Board of Review is completed. Example: "While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work". Until Star Rank is received the service hours will not count for Life Rank.