Let’s Improve Scouting’s Access to Rhode Island Schools

Dear Scouting Leaders and Families,



Please help! We are asking for your help with an important effort that directly affects how Scouting and other trusted youth programs reach young people in Rhode Island.

What’s happening?

We are working on two pieces of legislation at the Rhode Island State House

1.     Legislation has been introduced at the Rhode Island General Assembly to guarantee reasonable school access for congressionally chartered youth organizations, which includes Scouting America. This legislation will allow us to:

• Distribute flyers
• Share information about joining
• Promote our programs to students and families on a once‑per‑year basis in public schools.
• This legislation recognizes that organizations like Scouting America are nationally chartered and focused on youth development. The legislation gives schools a clear framework to allow access without disrupting instructional time. We have introduced this bill in partnership with other congressionally chartered youth organizations including the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Rhode Island, and the Boys & Girls Clubs. 

2.     A separate bill has been introduced to guarantee college admission to Rhode Island state colleges and universities for Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award recipients.

Why is this necessary?

In many school districts today, administrators feel pressure to either say yes to every outside group or no to all. To avoid controversy or added workload, many schools choose “no” across the board — even to longstanding, reputable organizations like Scouting.

As a result:

• Families often never learn that Scouting is available in their school or community
• Youth miss out on character‑building, leadership, and service opportunities
• Schools lose trusted partners that reinforce the values they teach every day

This bill solves that problem by allowing schools to confidently say yes to a limited number of congressionally chartered youth organizations, while still maintaining local control and protecting classroom time.

How you can help

Legislators listen closely to their constituents — especially parents, volunteers, community leaders, and even Scouts.

We are asking you to take 5–10 minutes to call or email your State Representative and State Senator and ask them to support both pieces of legislation (and let us know if you contact them!)

You do not need to be an expert. A short, respectful call or message makes a real difference.

Phone calls are best!—they are 10x more effective than emails! Call your state senator or representative and others that you personally know. 

You can find your legislators here:

👉 https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/PollingPlaces (look for your state senator and representative)

What about Massachusetts?

We are starting with Rhode Island. If this is successful, we intend to attempt the same initiative in Massachusetts in partnership with the other 5 councils serving the Commonwealth.

Suggested Talking Points

Feel free to use your own words. The points below are provided to make it easy. For school access:

• I am a parent/volunteer involved with Scouting in Rhode Island, and I am asking you to support legislation that ensures school access for congressionally chartered youth organizations like Scouting America. The bill numbers are H-7894 and S-3289
• This legislation helps schools say yes to a small number of trusted, national organizations without opening the door to every outside group.
• There are four congressionally‑chartered youth development organizations—Girl Scouts of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, and Scouting America—and they exist specifically to develop leadership, life skills, citizenship, fitness, outdoor education, and community engagement.
• Scouting provides leadership development, citizenship, service, and life skills that strongly reinforce what schools already teach.
• The legislation protects instructional time, respects parental choice, and places no financial burden on schools or the state.
• Many families only learn about Scouting through schools. Without school access, children — especially in underserved communities — miss opportunities that will benefit them for their entire lifetimes.
• Our state and our kids and families will be better if more of our children are actively involved in these proven youth development programs.
• I respectfully ask you to support this bill when it comes before the General Assembly.

For guaranteed higher education admission for Eagle Scout and Gold Award recipients:

• Eagle Scouts and Gold Award recipients have already demonstrated extraordinary leadership, service, and perseverance, and this bill recognizes those achievements by guaranteeing admission to Rhode Island’s public colleges and universities. The bill numbers are H-7894 and S-3289
• The bill applies only to Rhode Island residents and covers URI, Rhode Island College, and CCRI, beginning with Fall 2026 applications, while still requiring students to complete all standard application steps.
• This is not preferential treatment or automatic acceptance into selective majors; students must still meet all program‑specific and academic prerequisites for competitive or capacity‑limited programs like nursing or engineering.
• The bill encourages civic engagement and public service by rewarding youth who complete some of the most rigorous and respected youth leadership accomplishments in the nation.
• There is no cost to the state and no guarantee of financial aid; the legislation simply creates a clear, fair admissions pathway for proven student leaders who will contribute positively to campus and community life.

Even one sentence helps:

“As a parent/volunteer, I support legislation that guarantees reasonable school access for Scouting and other congressionally chartered youth organizations. Please vote yes.” Or “Eagle Scout and Gold Award recipients have proven leadership and service, and this bill recognizes those achievements with guaranteed admission to Rhode Island public colleges.”

Thank you!

Scouting exists to serve young people — and this legislation helps ensure that every family has the opportunity to learn about Scouting, regardless of where they live or attend school and that Scouts are provided a goal to achieve our highest rank and stay in-state.

Can you let us know if you speak to or write to one of our elected representatives or senators? Email us at support546@scouting.org. 

Thank you for everything you do for Scouting and for Rhode Island’s youth.

Yours in Scouting,

Tim McCandless

Scout Executive

House Bill #7894 and Senate Bill #3289 (School access)

House Bill #7416 and Senate Bill #2432 (Higher education admission)