Youth Protection is Our Priority

Please immediately notify Scout Executive, Gary Decker of any violation of BSA’s Youth Protection policies, so he may take appropriate action for the safety of our Scouts, make appropriate notifications, and follow-up with investigating agencies.  For Emergency Youth Protection Contact information please click here. This information is also provided to everyone at the completion of the Youth Protection course.

While the BSA continuously evaluates and strengthens its Youth Protection programs, the organization recognizes that abuse can happen anywhere, even in Scouting. BSA’s safeguards include the following:

• A 24/7 Scouts First Helpline (1-844-726-8871) and email contact address (scouts1st@scouting.org) to report any suspected abuse or inappropriate behavior.
• All volunteers must complete a rigorous application and screening process before joining Scouting. As part of this requirement, applicants must provide references and submit to a national criminal background check. BSA also verifies that the organization has not received any prior allegations of misconduct on the volunteer’s part by checking names in the Ineligible Volunteer Files. BSA’s goal is to ensure that all adult volunteers represent the values and character outlined in the Scout Oath and Scout Law and are good leaders for youth.
• All volunteers are required to complete Youth Protection Training and must renew the training every year. This training is accessible to the general public online at www.my.Scouting.org. Please review the training, as it provides important information about detecting and preventing abuse, no matter where it may occur.
• Scouting’s two-deep leadership policy requires at least two adults to be present for all Scouting activities. No youth should ever be alone with a Scout leader for any reason.
  • This applies to each Unit. In the case there is a joined Unit, both a Girl SBSA & a Boy SBSA Unit at an event/activity together the Unit will need 2 adults, registered with the Unit, for each Unit. A minimum of 4 registered adults required.
  • An adult must be register with the Unit to participate. If an adult leader has a registration with another Unit or at the District/Council level, they must multiple into that Unit in order to participate.
  • Cubs – Only the parent or guardian can participate if they have and have read a copy of the youth protection guidelines found in the pamphlet that is a part of all Cub Scout Handbooks and available for download at the Youth Protection tab on the BSA website.
• Every Scouts BSA and Cub Scout handbook includes a pamphlet to help parents teach their children how to recognize, resist and report abuse. If you have not done so already, please immediately review and discuss this information with your unit leaders and encourage them to bring it to the attention of all Scout parents. A copy of the pamphlet and other youth-oriented literature is available under the Youth Protection tab on the BSA website.
• All Scouting activities are open to parents and BSA encourages families to enjoy Scouting together.
• BSA has a mandatory reporting policy, which means all persons involved in Scouting shall report to local authorities any good faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, exposed to any form of sexual exploitation including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. No person may abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.

 

Please visit the National Boy Scouts of America website for more information on this important issue and to learn more about the training. http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx

Useful information, documents and links:

• BSA Guide to Safe Scouting
• BSA Parent’s Guides
• National BSA Youth Protection Website
• Social Media Guidelines