A virtual meeting can have a very similar format as that of a regular in-person meeting.
Preopening
Allow scouts time to show up
Maybe run a quick online quiz or other game
Opening Ceremony
Pledge of Allegiance
Scout Oath
Scout Law
Outdoor Code
Announcements (can also be done at end of meeting)
Updates
Meeting Plan
Guest Speaker
Instruction Time
Event
Patrol Break-outs
Game
Scoutmaster Minute
Closing Ceremony
Don’t forget to plan in jokes, skits and run-ons
Need ideas? Here are a few:
BSA Program Features
With some creativity, many can be adapted into virtual meetings
Digital Escape Rooms
Virtual LAN (video games) Party
Virtual Experiences
Meet a Real Life Shark Scientist in South Africa
Guest speaker
Find an inspirational Speaker
Community Leader Visit
Council Member
Law enforcement
Fire and Rescue
Non-profit leaders
Veterans
Virtual Merit Badges – use sparingly
Drive in Movie Theater with social distancing in cars
Discussion on Diversity
Outdoor Ethics Awareness award
Plan out an outing for a future date
Have the members of the troop plan out a route
Discuss elevation gain and distances
Where will you have lunch or camp
Activities at camp and things to see and do?
Court of Honor
Do it Virtually
or do a Drive-By with leadership staying a few special words of recognition the people in each car
Virtual sign off session – scouts take turns showing off their skills one after another. It’s like a talent show but for advancement.
Troop Cooking session
Work on the Cooking Merit Badge Requirements
CHOP competition – Contestants get 3 known ingredients and one surprise one and the competitions begins live! You can throw in other challenges too, such as knot tying or exercises.
Virtual Campout
Have an actual fire
Skits
Stunts
Jokes
Demos
Ghost Stories
Sharing of legends
Fieldcraft Demos
Show troop how to start a fire without matches
Ideally, do this live if possible
Community service?
Give a class on how to make masks
Have the troop come up with a plan
Have a pet show – why not and tie it into a Pet Merit Badge
Scavenger Hunt
10 Essentials
First Aid items
Scouting items
Random stuff from outside