Local chapters of the Cub Scouts, Venturer Scouts, and Scouts, BSA are looking for new recruits and several plan interest meetings this week.

Cub Scouts is a family program for boys and girls ages 5-10. Scouts, BSA is for boys (and soon girls) ages 11-17. Venturer Scouts is for boys and girls ages 14-20.

These programs offer age-appropriate activities such as camping, hiking, making new friends, swimming, games, outdoor skills, career exploration, helping others, building projects, racing model cars, community service, outings and field trips, boating, canoeing, kayaking, nature, fishing, archery, BB gun/rifle/shotgun, crafts, skits/songs, sports, STEM, earning badges and awards, emergency response, and more.

The BSA has opened their doors to include girls into Cub Scouts which allows families to fully participate in the same Scouting program, said a press release from the local district.

Older girls may then join all-girl troops starting Feb. 1, 2019. The programming hasn't changed and some units have elected to remain traditionally all-boy.

St. Lawrence County youths are encouraged to join an active chapters near them.

New members are welcomed year-long. Find a local chapter at BeAScout.org.

The following local troops are active in the region, and a few are planning interest meetings:

• Cub Scouts -- Massena, Pack 31 (boys and girls); Waddington, Pack 38 (boys and girls); Brasher Falls, Pack 39 (boys); Ogdensburg, Pack 2 (boys), meets Thur., Sept. 13, 6-7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 627 Caroline St., Ogdensburg, Crystal Aldrich, 315-276-1902, ctzaldrich@yahoo.com; Heuvelton (looking to form a new Pack); Canton, Pack 11 (boys and girls), Saturday, Sept. 15, 1-5 p.m., United Methodist Church, 41 Court St., Canton, Michael Terrill, 315-854-4233, willnosdad12@verizon.net; and

Potsdam (looking to form a new Pack); Hermon-DeKalb, Pack 144 (boys and girls), Wednesday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m., Hermon-DeKalb School Caferteria, 709 E De Kalb Road DeKalb Junction, Darcie Velez, 315-884-0215, minidarcie@yahoo.com; Gouverneur, Pack 21 (boys); Gouverneur, Pack 2035 (boys), Thursday, Sept. 20, 5-8 p.m., Elks Lodge, 1419 US-11, Gouverneur, Chris Gates, 315-212-3033, cubmaster2035@gmail.com; and Star Lake, Pack 28 (boys and girls).

• Scouts, BSA -- Massena, Troop 41 (boys); Waddington, Troop 83 (boys); Heuvelton, Troop 9 (boys); Canton, Troop 27 (boys); Potsdam, Troop 95 LDS, (boys); Hermon-DeKalb, Troop 144 (boys and girls), Wednesday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m., Hermon-DeKalb School Caferteria, 709 E. DeKalb Road, DeKalb Junction, Darcie Velez, 315-884-0215, minidarcie@yahoo.com; Gouverneur, Troop 21 (boys); Star Lake (looking to form a new Troop).

• Venturer Scouts -- Waddington, Crew 7 (boys and girls); and Canton/Potsdam/DeKalb area (looking to form a new Crew)

For more information on existing troops or to start a new unit, contact district membership chair Darcie Velez at 315-884-0215 or minidarcie@yahoo.com.