Dear Pack 100 Parents and Leaders,
I want to take the opportunity to inform every one of the BSA Youth Protection Policy.
It is highly encouraged for all parents and an absolute requirement for all leaders to take Youth Protection training. You do not have to be a registered member or have a member ID to take Youth Protection training. Go to www.MyScouting.org and create an account, then from the MyScouting.org portal, click on E-Learning and take the Youth Protection training.
Upon completion of the module, you may print a certificate of completion and submit the completion certificate to the unit leader for processing at the local council.
When your volunteer application (leaders) is approved, you will receive a BSA membership card which includes your member ID number. After you receive your membership card, log back into MyScouting, click on My Profile and update the system by inputting your member ID number. This will link your Youth Protection training records, and any other training, in MyScouting to your BSA membership.
Youth Protection in Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for its youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA has developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies, and provides parents and leaders online and print resources for the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing programs.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse
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. Notify your Scout executive of this report, or of any violation of BSA’s Youth Protection policies, so that he or she may take appropriate action for the safety of our
Scouts, make appropriate notifications, and follow-up with investigating agencies.
How does the BSA help prevent child abuse in Scouting?
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 even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting. Youth Protection training is a requirement for all BSA registered volunteers, regardless of their position.
The BSA’s Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered and new BSA adult volunteers. Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered. The online version of the Guide to Safe Scouting is updated quarterly. Go to http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx.
Leadership Selection
The Boy Scouts of America takes great pride in the quality of its adult leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of youth members call for high-quality adult leaders. We work closely with chartered organizations to help recruit the best possible leaders for their units. The adult application requests background information that should be checked by the unit committee or the chartered organization before accepting an applicant for unit leadership. While no current screening techniques exist that can identify every potential child abuser, we can help reduce the risk of accepting a child abuser by learning all we can about an applicant for a leadership position—including his or her experience working with children and why he or she wants to be a Scout leader. Youth safety is of paramount importance to the Boy Scouts of America. It is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. BSA continually seeks to increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting to provide the most secure environment possible for its youth members.
Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse
The BSA has adopted the following policies for the safety and well-being of its members. These policies are primarily for the protection of its youth members; however, they also serve to protect adult leaders.
Two-deep leadership on all outings required. Two registered adult leaders, or one registered leader and a parent of a participating Scout or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips and outings. There are a few instances, such as patrol activities, when the presence of adult leaders is not required and adult leadership may be limited to training and guidance of the patrol leadership. With the proper training, guidance, and approval by the troop leaders, the patrol can conduct day hikes and service projects. Appropriate adult leadership must be present for all overnight Scouting activities; coed overnight activities—even those including parent and child—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. The chartered organization is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for all activities.
One-on-one contact between adults and Scouts prohibited. 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. The online version of the Guide to Safe Scouting is updated quarterly. Go to http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx.
Adult Leadership
Separate accommodations for adults and Scouts required. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his or her 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. Likewise, youth and adults must shower at different times.
Privacy of youth respected. 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.
Inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, or digital devices prohibited.
While most campers and leaders use cameras and other imaging devices responsibly, it has become very easy to invade the privacy of individuals. It is inappropriate to use any device capable of recording or transmitting visual images in shower houses, restrooms, or other areas where privacy is expected by participants.
No secret organizations. The Boy Scouts of America 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.
No hazing. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.
No bullying. Verbal, physical, and cyber bullying are prohibited in Scouting.
Youth leadership monitored by adult leaders. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by youth leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.
Discipline must be constructive. Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting’s values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
Appropriate attire for all activities. Proper clothing for activities is required.
For example, skinny-dipping or revealing bathing suits are not appropriate in Scouting.
Members are responsible for acting in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law. 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 Scout Law. Physical violence, theft, verbal insults, drugs, and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout’s membership.
The online version of the Guide to Safe Scouting is updated quarterly.
Go to http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx.
Units are responsible for enforcing Youth Protection policies. The head of the chartered organization or chartered organization representative and the local council must approve the registration of the unit’s adult leader. 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. Any violations of the BSA’s Youth Protection policies must immediately be reported to the
Scout executive.
How can parents help protect their children?
Parents participate in the protection of their children in a variety of ways.
The BSA recognizes the need for open lines of communication so that children are encouraged to bring any troubles to their parents for advice and counsel. In addition, parents need to be involved in their children’s Scouting activities. All parents receive important information concerning the Scouting program as part of their children’s membership applications. This information is provided so that parents can detect any deviations from the BSA’s approved program. If any deviations are noted, parents should call these to the attention of the chartered organization or the unit committee. If the problems persist, parents should contact the local council for assistance. Parents also need to review the booklet, How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide, inserted in every Boy Scout and Cub Scout handbook. The information in this booklet should be the subject of discussions between Scouts and their parents prior to joining a pack or troop.
The online version of the Guide to Safe Scouting is updated quarterly.
Go to http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx.
All information in this letter is sourced from the BSA Youth Protection guidelines. Please visit the BSA website under Youth Protection for additional resources and information.
Thank you for taking the time to ensure the protection of our Scouts.
Ray Clary,
Cub Master