|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Youth Protection
The
Boy Scouts of America and Troop 209 places the greatest importance on
creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To
maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and
leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with
resources for the Cub Scout program.
Take the Training!
You do not have to be a registered member or have a member ID to take Youth Protection.
To take Youth Protection go to MyScouting.org and create an account.
From the MyScouting.org portal, click on E-Learning and take the Youth Protection training.
Upon completion, you may print a certificate of completion
to submit with a volunteer application or submit the completion
certificate to the unit leader for processing at the local council. |
Required Training
- Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers.
- New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training within 30 days of registering.
- 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.
Scouting's Barriers to Abuse
The
BSA has adopted the following policies to provide additional security
for our members. 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 is required on all outings. Two
registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a
participant, or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or
older, are required on all trips and outings. The chartered organization
is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for
all Scouting activities. 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 is prohibited between adults and Scouts. 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.
- Separate accommodations are required for adults and Scouts. 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 males and females, as
well as separate facilities for youth. When separate facilities are not
available, separate times for male and female use and/or youth and adult
use should be scheduled and posted for showers. Likewise, youth and
adults must shower at different times.
- Privacy of youth is respected. Adult
leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as
changing clothes and taking showers at camp, intruding only to the
extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own
privacy in similar situations.
- Inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, and digital devices is 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 are allowed. The
Boy Scouts of America does not allow any secret organizations as part
of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to
observation by parents and leaders.
- No hazing is allowed. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.
- No bullying is allowed. Verbal, physical, and cyber bullying are prohibited in Scouting.
- Youth leadership is monitored by adult leaders. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior 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 is required for all activities. Proper
clothing for activities is required. For example, skinny-dipping or
revealing bathing suits are not appropriate as part of Scouting.
- Members are responsible to act according to 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.
- 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 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.
The "three R's" of Youth Protection
The "three R's" of Youth Protection convey a simple message to youth members:
- Recognize situations that place you 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 and helps to protect other children. Let the Scout know
he or she will not be blamed for what occurred.
Key Resources
Guide to Safe Scouting
The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting is to prepare adult leaders to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner.
It Happened to Me: Cub Scout Meeting Guide
Video
Facilitator Guides. A sample letter to parents and guardians as well as
English and Spanish meeting guides for facilitators' use when showing
the age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention video.
Camp Leadership ... A Guide for Camp Staff and Unit Leaders
Brochure
for unit leaders and camp staff who are responsible for providing a
safe and healthy camp setting where Scouts are free from the worries of
child abuse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|