(1) Read the Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook.

(2) Pray with your potential Scout to determine if this is the right path for you.

(3) Find your local council at Net Roster.

(4) Contact your local council.  Print out a copy of the BSA regulation to take with you.  Although you can contact them by phone, I think in person is more effective when possible.

Do not be antagonistic or defensive.  Most of those that are less than cooperative simply don't KNOW any better.  Simply point out that your son is eligible by virtue of being homeschooled.  Go as high up as you need to.   If they still refuse to register him, you can either contact Andy at the Lone Scout Foundation (email: atainter@gte.net) or register him in another council (may not be feasible for some areas).  We chose the latter since it was geographically better anyway.

(5) Fill out the Lone Counselor Adult Form and the Scouting registration (and pay the fee).

(6) Purchase the Boy Scout Handbook.

(7) Choose which badges your scout would like to work on.   Purchase the Merit Badge Handbook.  Note: many libraries will order these for you if money is a consideration.  They are only about $4 apiece, and we chose to go ahead and buy them since our second son will also be using them.  It also helps fund the Council.

(8) Purchase (or request) a listing of Merit Badge Counselors in your council.  Note: Some councils will not release these to anyone outside the troop -- including Lone Scouts.  Others have them available online.  Our council has a complete list available in person at the store for about a buck.  If no list is available or those on the list are not suitable, recruit your own.  Note: Because of the unique nature of a Lone Scout, our council recommends as diverse a list as possible.  In other words, even though a MBC may be approved for several different badges, we are trying to use each one only once.   As a last resort, the Scout's parents can qualify and register as MBC's.  Send in the paperwork for your MBC if necessary.

(9) Purchase a blue card for each badge you'll be working on (about 10 cents at the Scout Store).

(10) Begin work on the badge.  Document everything.   This is especially important for a Lone Scout.  You don't ever want there to be any question that he has completely satisfied the requirements.

(11) When the requirements are satisfied, TURN IN THE FORM (available free from the council).  Your scout is NOT eligible for the badge until the advancement form is turned in and approved.

(12) Join the Lone Scout Counselors Email Loop.   Note: this is an INCLUSIVE list and I recommend it as an ADULT resource.  It is a good place to ask questions.

(13) Relax, and have a great time!