YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING

The BSA places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. All Cub Scout and Boy Scout adult volunteers should take this course. It covers the BSA's Youth Protection policies, kinds of abuse, signs of abuse, how to respond to disclosure of abuse, and proper reporting procedures. It does so by taking you through situations that require choices and produce consequences. Successful completion of this course requires an 80 percent or higher score.

If you take this test online as a registered member of the BSA and designate your local council, your completion will be reported back to your council to adjust your training records. You'll also be offered a certificate of completion.

Youth Protection Training is available either online or through your district training staff.

Click on your district below to see if they are conducting a Youth Protection Training session in the near future.

Appalachian District     Black Rock District     Cacoosing District     Frontier District

An online training course for this material is available through MyScouting eLearning.

Further Information Regarding Youth Protection

The Boy Scouts of America has adopted a number of policies aimed at eliminating opportunities for abuse within the Scouting program. These policies focus on leadership selection and on placing barriers to abuse within the program. These policies are primarily for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve to protect our adult leaders from false accusations of abuse.

Two-deep leadership. Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings.

No one-on-one contact. One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require personal conferences, such as a Scoutmaster's conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths.

Respect of privacy. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.

Separate accommodations. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. Councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers.

Proper preparation for high-adventure activities. Activities with elements of risk should never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.

No secret organizations. The BSA does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.

Appropriate attire. Proper clothing for activities is required. Skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting.

Constructive discipline. Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.

Hazing prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.

Junior leader training and supervision. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.

The "three Rs" of Youth Protection convey a simple message that the BSA wants its youth members to learn:

Recognize situations that place him at risk of being molested, how child molesters operate, and that anyone could be a molester.

Resist unwanted and inappropriate attention. Resistance will stop most attempts at molestation.

Report attempted or actual molestation to a parent or other trusted adult. This prevents further abuse of himself and helps to protect other children. Let the Scout know he will not be blamed for what occurred.

All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout's membership in the unit.

Adult leaders of Scouting units are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. Parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for assistance in dealing with it.
If problem behavior persists, units may revoke a Scout's membership in that unit. When a unit revokes a Scout's membership, it should promptly notify the council of the action.

The unit should inform the Scout executive about all incidents that result in a physical injury or involve allegations of sexual misconduct by a youth member with another youth member.

1. Two-deep leadership:

Two registered adult leaders, or one registered adult and a parent of a participating Scout, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips or outings. There are a few instances, such as patrol activities, when no adult leadership is required. Coed overnight activities require male and female adult leaders, both of whom must be 21 years of age or older, and one of whom must be a registered member of the BSA.

2. During transportation to and from planned Scout outings,

a. Meet for departure at a designated area.
b. Prearrange a schedule for periodic checkpoint stops as a group.
c. Plan a daily destination point.

A common departure site and a daily destination point are a must. If you cannot provide two adults for each vehicle, the minimum required is one adult and two or more youth members - never one on one.

3. Safety rule of four:

No fewer than four individuals (with the minimum of two adults) go on any backcountry expedition or campout. If an accident occurs, one person stays with the injured, and two go for help. Additional adult leadership requirements must reflect an awareness the size and skill level of the group, anticipated environmental conditions, and degree of challenge.

4. Separate Sleeping Facilities for Leaders

Male and female leaders require separate sleeping facilities. Married couples may share the same quarters if appropriate facilities are available.

5. Separate Sleeping Facilities for Participants

Male and female youth participants will not share the same sleeping facility.

6. When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian.

7. If separate shower and latrine facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers. The buddy system should be used for latrines by having one person wait outside the entrance, or provide Occupied and Unoccupied signs and/or inside door latches.

8. Two-deep adult leadership is required for flying activities. For basic orientation flights, the adult licensed pilot in control of the aircraft is sufficient for the flight while two-deep leadership is maintained on the ground.

Reporting Possible Abuse

In the Hawk Mountain Council, the procedure for reporting possible child abuse will be as follows:

In cases which involve a registered adult, or youth member of the Boy Scouts of America as the abuser, a report must be made within 24 hours of the determination that child abuse has occurred or is suspected. A call must be made to the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-932-0313 after which a verbal report given to the District Executive or in his/her absence, the Scout Executive or Field Director, followed up in writing with the following information:

1. Names, addresses and phone numbers of individuals involved (victim(s) and abuser(s)).
2. The general circumstances of what occurred, the location, date and time of the incident.
3. Names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses.

In cases which the abuser is not a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, a report must be made within 24 hours of the determination abuse has occurred, or is suspected to the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-932-0313. A follow-up report to the District Executive or Scout Executive is not necessary.

In the case of summer camp, the Camp Director should be notified immediately.

The well being of the youth we serve should be our number one priority. To this end, following these procedures is absolutely essential. Thank you for your cooperation.