The chartering process is one of the oldest traditions in Scouting. It is the formal document that certifies the agreement between a Chartered Partner – an organization that agrees to utilize Scouting as a part of its service to youth and community outreach – and the Boy Scouts of America, setting expectations for the quality of program to be delivered to the Charter Partner’s youth population.

The BSA grants charters to sponsoring (chartered) organizations who must report to Scouting annually to renew their local charters. Rechartering is the process where a Scout unit renews its charter as an official part of the Boy Scouts of America. In addition to renewing the unit charter, recharter time is when all youth and adult members (leaders) renew their membership in the BSA.

The NTSA uses recharter to collect some of its own fees, in order to keep the units running. These fees help cover the cost of websites, accounting, trailer and gear maintenance, and more.