US citizens and their dependents who live abroad are able to participate in the BSA program through the Transatlantic Council (serving most of Europe), the Far East Council (serving Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Thailand), or through Direct Service, BSA.

The corresponding lodges: Black Eagle Lodge #482 (Transatlantic Council); Ikunuhkatsi, Hinode Goya, and Achpateuny lodges #498 (Far East Council); and Cuauhtli Lodge #446, Baluga Lodge #538, and Gamenowinink Lodge #555 (Direct Service) have rich histories. Prior to 1973, they were sometimes referred to as "Extra‑Regional" or the so-called "Region 13," even though they weren't organized as such, nor did they have region/area leadership, planning, or area events.

In addition, there are several lodges that serve US territories: Yokahú Lodge #506, Puerto Rico Council; Arawak Lodge #562, Virgin Islands Council; (Nā) Mokupuni ʻO Lawelawe Lodge #567, Aloha Council (American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Is.); Achsin Lodge #565, Chamorro Council, Guam; and Chiriqui Lodge #391, Canal Zone/Panama Canal Council.

Chiriqui and Cuauhtli lodges eventually merged into Gamenowinink Lodge #555. Baluga merged into Hinode Goya Lodge #498, Achsin merged with Kamehameha 454 and Pupukea 557 to form Mokupuni ʻO Lawelawe Lodge #567, and Arawak merged into Amangamek-Wipit Lodge #470.