Scoutbook API?

[mov]

Not sure where this topic should go to but is there a Scoutbook API that can be used if I’m wanting to create a personal application? For more context the app I’m wanting to build would use the SSO provided to log into Scoutbook and have pack calendar available including your (family) members who are part of the pack.

Yes, I know I can get this information from Scoutbook but the I’m looking to build something more robust that is personal that isn’t being offered, including a simpler and better UX.

[SteveCagigas]

That info is already available in the red Scouting app. Why reinvent the wheel?

[CharleyHamilton]

@mov

Not sure where this topic should go to but is there a Scoutbook API that can be used if I’m wanting to create a personal application?

Generally speaking, the answer is no, at least as far as I’ve gleaned from prior posting by SUAC. The BSA restricts the access to “3rd-party developers”, which I presume translates as “3rd-party developers who establish some sort of contractual relationship with the BSA regarding access to the APIs”. I’m not even sure who the gatekeeper on establishing such a relationship would be, but presumably someone at the national organization. Maybe your scout exec could connect you to the right folks at nationals if you’re interested in pursuing it further.

[GaryFeutz]

There is no Scoutbook API at all.

[CharleyHamilton]

I was assuming that the OP was using it as shorthand for “an API into the back-end database”. I guess the current upload process isn’t really via an API-like system, so the non-existence makes more sense.

[mov]

Thank you for your response. Yes, API into backend since it will be needed for authentication for getting pack calendar and etc.

Would you know who at the national level I could speak to? Looking at the Contact page there isn’t much information there except their PO Box and generic e-mail address. Is there someone more on the technical side that can be reached that you know of?

[mov]

Thanks for your response Steve. It’s not reinventing the wheel. I’m just taking the wheel and changing the rims, that’s all.

[mov]

After responding to you I wanted to do a quick search on APIs and if anyone else has asked. I think the most recent in-depth one that has built something similar to mine is this thread

Feature Request: Read-Only API

Hi, Jacob, thank you for your reply. I have authored an application to manage my Troop’s events, calendar, etc. At present it has standalone identity management, meaning Troop members have usernames and passwords unique to my application. In a perfect world we can tell them to use the same credentials they use on scouting.org. That would mean scouting.org serves in an authentication capacity using a mechanism like OAuth. Separately, I’d be interested in learning more about the Scoutbook User Ad…

Again, thank you for your serious response into my inquiry. It’s too bad Scouts isn’t allowing an open API. I’ll probably leave it at that.

[RaymondBradley]

My prior inquiries in this vein didn’t bear much fruit. Sounds like there’s little appetite or budget to pursue what you (and I) are asking for. That’s a shame, as you point out. Community-driven or open source software delivery models have tremendous potential.

[mov]

Couldn’t agree more! Community-drive or open source could enhance the product and make it much more customizable to each pack. Not to mention the ability to improve on features and enhance the product with custom plug-ins that can be added to some sort of library where other packs can use as long as they see value in it.

And of course, reworking/customizing the UI (as I think you have mentioned in your own post that the UI is clunky and I don’t disagree at all).

Maybe one day we’ll get there!

[RaymondBradley]

Yes, Scoutbook’s highly non-standard UI is probably the biggest barrier to adoption, in my mind.