Scouting Safely
Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings.
Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.
All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant.
One-on-one contact between adult leaders and youth members is prohibited both inside and outside of Scouting.
In situations requiring a personal conference, the meeting is to be conducted with the knowledge and in view of other adults and/or youth.
Private online communications (texting, phone calls, chat, IM, etc.) must include another registered leader or parent.
Communication by way of social media (Facebook, Snapchat, etc.) must include another registered leader or parent.
Discipline must be constructive.
Discipline must reflect Scouting’s values.
Corporal punishment is never permitted.
Disciplinary activities involving isolation, humiliation, or ridicule are also prohibited.
Responsibility
Leaders must ensure that all participating in Scouting activities abide by the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Adult leaders and youth members share the responsibility for the safety of all participants in the program, including adherence to Youth Protection and health and safety policies.
Adult leaders are responsible for monitoring behavior and intervening when necessary.
Physical violence, sexual activity, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, unauthorized weapons, hazing, discrimination, harassment, initiation rites, bullying, cyberbullying, theft, verbal insults, drugs, alcohol, and pornography have no place in the Scouting program and may result in revocation of membership.
All leaders are required to adhere to the Scouter Code of Conduct.
Accommodations
Separate accommodations for adult males and females and youth males and females are required.
Tenting
Separate tenting arrangements must be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth.
Youth sharing tents must be no more than two years apart in age.
Spouses may share tents.
Lodging/Cabin Accommodations
Whenever possible, separate cabins or lodging should be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth. Where separate accommodations cannot be provided due to group size or limited availability, modifications may be made. Where completely separate accommodations are not available, additional supervision is required.
If adults and youth of the same gender occupy single-room accommodations, there must be a minimum of two adults and four youth, with all adults being Youth Protection trained.
Physical separation by other means, including temporary barriers or space, should be used only when no other arrangements are possible.
These modifications are limited to single-gender accommodations.
Restrooms
Separate shower and latrine facilities should be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth. If separate facilities are not available, separate times should be scheduled and posted.
Privacy of youth is respected.
Adults and youth must respect each other’s privacy, especially in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp.
Adult leaders should closely monitor these areas but only enter as needed for youth protection or health and safety reasons.
Program Requirements
The buddy system should be used.
The use of smartphones, cameras, mirrors, drones, etc., in places or situations where privacy is expected is prohibited.
All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.
The BSA does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program.
Hazing and initiations are prohibited and have no part during any Scouting activity.
All forms of bullying and harassment including verbal, physical, and cyberbullying are prohibited.
Inappropriate public displays of affection are prohibited.
Sexual activity is prohibited.
Appropriate attire is required for all activities.
Reporting Requirements
Adult leaders and youth members have a responsibility to recognize, respond to, and report Youth Protection violations and abuse.
Reporting
Youth Protection Policy Violations
Serious Youth Protection policy violations or behaviors that put a youth’s safety at risk must be reported to the Scout executive.
Online reporting is also available at Incident Reporting.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse
All persons participating in Scouting programs are mandated reporters of child abuse.
Reports must be made to local law enforcement and child protective services. State law may require additional reporting.
This reporting duty cannot be delegated to any other person.
Reporting to the Scout executive or Scouts First Helpline ensures that follow-up can occur for the safety of our youth. Scout executives and Scouts First coordinate follow-up actions.
Scouts First Helpline
As part of its “Scouts First” approach to the protection and safety of youth, the BSA has established a dedicated 24-hour helpline to receive reports of known or suspected abuse or behavior that might put a youth at risk.
1-844-SCOUTS1 (1-844-726-8871)If immediate assistance is needed in the handling of a sexual abuse allegation, contact Scouts First Helpline (1-844-SCOUTS1).
If someone is at immediate risk of harm, always call 911.
CYBER AND PERSONAL SAFETY
The Boy Scouts of America are committed to creating safe environments for Scouts and leaders. Child abuse is an uncomfortable topic but an important one for us to cover to ensure the safety and well-being of our Scouts and leaders. The Boy Scouts of America has partnered with subject-matter experts from the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation to present the Personal Safety Awareness Series. The primary goal of the Personal Safety Awareness videos is to educate youth about what to do if they experience abusive behavior, educate them about safe and unsafe situations, and encourage them to go to a parent or another trusted adult for help when needed.
Before reviewing these videos, Scouts should complete the exercises in the “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” pamphlet with their parent or guardian. This pamphlet can be found in the front of the Scout Handbook.
These Personal Safety Awareness videos are requirement for the Scout and Star ranks. Scouts are encouraged to inform their Parent or Guardian and unit leader before viewing the videos. For the Scout rank, Scouts must view Digital Safety, Bullying, Abuse, and Youth Protection Policies. For the Star rank, Scouts must view those four videos again, plus Persistence for Pictures, Grooming and Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse in the Family, and Friends Should Never Look the Other Way. www.scouting.org/training/youth/scouts-bsa/
Additionally, Troop 140 has new members write and sign a personalized contract between parent/guardian and Scout that outlines rules for using the computer and mobile devices, including what you can download, what you can post, and consequences for inappropriate use. This helps teach your scout about spam emails, phishing attempts, what to do if they end up on an inappropriate site and how to protect their online identity.
Guide to Safe Scouting
Youth Protection & Adult Leadership.
View the online GSS | Download PDF