Check the Charter Locator  on the website.  

Find out more about the difference between Hearths and Circles in the next question below.

• Hearths consist of one family who does SpiralScouts activities on their own because they are too far away from an organized Circle - or maybe they just prefer to work alone. 

• Circles are groups usually consisting of two or more families who do SpiralScouts activities together. Circles can be further organized into Hearths within the Circle. 

RainDrops are generally from ages 3 to 5. This is usually interpreted to mean academically through kindergarten. 

FireFlies are generally from ages 6 to 9. This is usually interpreted to mean academically through the 5rd grade. 

SpiralScouts are generally from ages 10 to 13. This is usually interpreted to mean academically through the 6th-8th grades. 

PathFinders are generally aged 14 to 18. This is usually interpreted as academically high school grades. 

Absolutely! Our program is designed to be flexible and accessible to all Scouts. 

Each Leader will work directly with their individual Scouts and their families when working on badge and award requirements to ensure a challenging, enriching, and empowering experience.

Many times we get questions about orders from the store in regards to SpiralScouts. 

The first thing to note here is that we are a volunteer organization and shipments only go out once a week, generally on Tuesdays. 

The second most common error is that someone opts to pay later. As we share our store with other organizations this option is in there for those who are local. If you opted for this option and are not local we will likely have to reprocess your order with a card. 

The third most common error in this regard relates to volunteers. We cannot process a volunteer order until you have filled out a volunteer application. Until we have a file with your application attached to it, we do not process those orders. If you need help, please contact hq@spiralscouts.org or join our weekly HQ&A meeting for realtime help with anything SpiralScouts related.  Find meeting info on our Calendar.

Of course feel free to reach out to us as well if you feel none of these reasons apply to you at HQ@spiralscouts.org

As a volunteer-based non-profit, registration fees cover only administration fees, insurance premiums, and background checks.

First time members and scouts Spiraling Up receive a neck cord kit and patches when they purchase a Welcome Kit from the Uniform section of our .

The Registration fees go to cover operating expenses of SpiralScouts International, including stocking our SpiralScouts™ Shoppe with all the items members need to purchase such as Welcome Kits and patches for badges, awards and uniforms.

Registration must be renewed annually for Scouts, Registered Adult Volunteers and Charters (Circles/Hearths).  First time registration and renewals can be paid for HERE.

SpiralScouts gets a large portion of its funding from membership dues. Other funding comes from donations, and from fundraisers done by the Circles and Hearths. 

Donations can be sent through our donation page on Zeffy HERE.

Donations can also be sent via check to: 

SpiralScouts International 

PO Box 409

Index, WA 98256

Additionally, you can present donations directly to local charters.  See our Charter MAP if you would like to contact a charter to present them with a donation. 

Depending on your tax situation, probably. SpiralScouts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization recognized by the federal government, and donations to SpiralScouts HQ are usually deductible. 

Canada and the US have a reciprocal agreement, where most organizations that are non-profit in one country are also non-profit in the other. 

For further information, ask your accountant or tax preparer.  When making donations through our Zeffy Donation Page, you can request a receipt for tax purposes.  When sending a check by mail, please include a letterhead with either an email address or mailing address where you would like a receipt for your donation to be sent.

As with all deduction questions, ask your accountant or tax preparer to be sure. 

Donations can be made to SpiralScouts International and then forwarded to the Circle to ensure deductibility by using our Zeffy Donation Form.

One-on-one time between an adult and child is strictly prohibited. The only exception to this is if the child's own parent is helping him or her with an activity. This protects both the child and the Registered Adults. 

A current list of badges can be found in the Team Class Notebook, available to all members.  Can't access this as a member?  Email hq@spiralscouts.org for assistance

Circles and Hearths are encouraged to submit their own ideas for new badges as well. To submit ideas, email badgechair@spiralscouts.org

Dress uniforms consist of a forest green oxford-style button down shirt, khaki pants, skirt, kilt or shorts (as appropriate), neck cord, patches (charter number/patch, SSI patch & level/leader/volunteer patch) and capuche, sash or vest, and should include dark brown leather (or similar) belts and shoes. 

Activity uniforms are the same, except that the shirt may be a forest green polo shirt or t-shirt, with belt and shoes that are appropriate for the occasion. 

While these are the official uniform options, not all activities require Scouts to be in full uniform. 

Keep in mind that uniforms are meant to help children feel like they are part of the group and be an outward symbol of SpiralScouts to their community.

Please contact our Public Relations chairperson at pr@spiralscouts.org or call 877-677-4725

Contact us directly via email hq@spiralscouts.org You may also call 877-677-4725 OR join one of our weekly HQ&A board meetings held virtually on Wednesdays at 7pm PST/10pm EST.  Find the info to join on our calendar on our ABOUT US page.

Check the Charter Locator  on the website. 

If youhave any questions, please email hq@spiralscouts.org

Each Circle will be somewhat different, but our program is designed with flexibility of individuals  and accessiblity to all in mind.  Speak with the leaders about your child's needs, and help them plan appropriately. 

The inability to afford a uniform does not prevent you from participating. Most Circles will probably develop uniform exchanges – children tend to grow out of things quickly. 

This could be an inexpensive way to get uniforms. You might also check with a local thrift store or online bulk suppliers. Many of the uniform parts can be found there as well. 

No, you only have to register if you are interested in being a volunteer. 

Scout parents are not required to be Registered Adults, as long as our minimum ratios are maintained.

Any Circle Registered Adult (RA) can fill out the Information Change Form, which will provide all the information we need to transfer your registration. 

You can also contact hq@spiralscouts.org

1. Please complete the New Charter Application Form

2. Meet with our CEO, Aedis.  Schedule Meeting HERE using the Support scheduler. 

3. Then you will receive your leader account information @spiralscouts.org 

4. Submit your Charter Name

Once the process begins, you will have to complete the following steps:

5. Complete the ProtoCharter (PC) Training and Knowledge Quiz 

6. Purchase your PC Packet from the Store 

7. Pay for Background Check or email recent background check from within the past 3 years to ceo@spiralscouts.org

8. Authorize Background Check & complete Child Protection Training. Emails to complete these tasks will come from:

• message@mobilizemyministry.com
• message@protectingourkids.com

9. Purchase Registration:

• Charter Registration
• Registered Adult Annual Membership for all Registered Adults.
• Scout Annual Membership for all Scouts

Hearth: 

• 1 Registered  Adult (Hearth Keeper)
• 1 Scout

Circle:

• 2 Registered Adults (Circle Leader & Co-Leader)
• 2 Scouts

If all the paperwork is completed correctly, usually about a 4-6 weeks from the time you sent it.  Want to expidite your chartering process?  Join our weekly HQ&A Board Meeting.  Meeting Info is on our Calendar. 

Yes, if you fill out the Fundraising Approval Form and maintain the Fundraising Guidelines. This form can be found by your charter leader in Microsoft  Teams, in the SpiralScouts International Team. 

The entire Leader Handbook is available to Chartered Groups. As soon as your Charter is approved, you will be given access to the SpiralScouts International Team. 

This security has been put in place to protect copyrights and avoid misuse of the program. 

Since you won't have meetings - other than planning sessions -until you are chartered, your inability to access these materials will not impact your progress. 

Once your Circle or Hearth is chartered, your will be given your Office 365 user account and access to the SpiralScouts Team. On there is where you can download all the current badge requirements and scout handbooks. 

Yes. The flexibility of our program means that we can work with you to change any aspect of your Charter: 

Circle to Hearth

Hearth to Circle

Charter Location

Charter Contact Person 

Charter Name

Charter Number must remain the same.

Yes, as long as all the children are the legal responsibility of that leader (through birth, adoption, or legal guardianship). 

It is ideal to have a diversity of adults involved as Registered Adults. Many questions are asked about transgendered persons. We have no restrictions or requirements regarding RA gender identity.

Basic training for new leaders is available and expected before your charter application will be processed. 

More extensive leader training is currently in development. Once in place, you will be required to take a refresher course annually. 

We have are developing a quarterly meeting and quarterly leader newsletter, plus the SpiralScouts Team Charter Chat Channel is a great place to ask questions and exchange ideas.   

Also in development is a web video series to help show practical application of the most popular ideas for local Charters. 

A sponsor is an organization or company that helps a Circle or Hearth. Sponsors provide help to the Circle or Hearth. This may be in the form of monetary contributions, meeting space, or craft items the group needs. 

Sponsors may also be secured per event or activity. 

Sponsors may be solicited from your community. Most times, these are family-friendly businesses, groups or organizations. When soliciting a sponsor, identify the benefits both groups will receive. 

No, you do not have to have a sponsor to charter a Circle or Hearth. If you acquire a sponsor after you charter, contact HQ to let them know. 

Yes. Just be sure to notify HQ of any changes.  Email hq@spiralscouts.org or join a boarding meeting (see Calendar).

Yes, SpiralScouts provides insurance to US Charters to cover Scouts when they participate in SpiralScouts activities.  

At this time, foreign charters are not covered and that portion of their registration is going to fund a Head Office in their country. 

No, they are not covered. Only registered members. 

Please contact HQ at hq@spiralscouts.org 

 You may also call 877-677-4725 OR join our HQ&A weekly Board Meeting for realtime help.  See our Calendar for meeting info.

If you have any questions beyond what is a available in this FAQ, please feel free to email hq@spiralscouts.org OR for realtime help, join our HQ&A Board Meeting.  Visit our calendar for more info to join this meeting.

Becomming a volunteer is easy. 

1. Fill out the Volunteer Form
2. Purchase your Circle Leader/HearthKeeper Annual Registration
3. Purchase your Background Check - Note: if you have a valid background check from within the past 3 years, you may instead email a copy of that toe ceo@spiralscouts.org 
4. Complete a background check and youth protection training that will be sent to your email.

• Please white-list and look for an email from Protect my Ministry
• message@mobilizemyministry.com
• message@protectingourkids.com

   5.  Receive registered adult account information: 

• ra-<preferred name>@spiralscouts.org  (for example ra-aedis@spiralscouts.org) 

   6. Update your @spiralscouts.org account profile
       with a headshot photo 

   7  Post an introduction in the SpiralScouts
       International Team  

   8.  Complete Basic Registered Adult Training.

It seems like a lot, but we are here to help you.  Completing background check authorization and training sent to your email will allow your charter setup to progress, otherwise it cannot move forward.  If you get stuck please email hq@spiralscouts.org or join our HQ&A Board Meeting (find details on our Calendar).

Most groups involving youth now require adults to have criminal background checks. This is for the safety of the minors. 

• If you  are planning to become a Registered Adult and already have a recent background check from within the past 3 years, you may email it to ceo@spiralscouts.org.
• If you do not have one already, please purchase a Background Check from our Shoppe.

The required background check is similar to those required for childcare workers, looking at felony convictions. If you have any questions about background checks, please contact SpiralScouts HQ at hq@spiralscouts.org for more information.

In the US, SpiralScouts HQ is offering background checks through a company that provides nationwide checks to many youth organizations. Purchase Background Check.

Outside of the US, you will be required to obtain a background check from your local Police Department and email a copy to ceo@spiralscouts.org  

Please check with HQ, if you have any questions. hq@spiralscouts.org

Yes, all Registered Adults (RAs) are required to have a background check to access the Microsoft Team.

 Yes.

 The background checks SpiralScouts HQ provides costs $11, and need to be renewed every three years. Outside the US, costs will vary by local provider..