How-To Guide For Taking Safeguarding Youth Training

Greater St. Louis Area Scouting places the highest importance on providing a secure environment for all Scouts. To maintain these standards, Scouting America has established strict procedural and leadership selection policies, along with providing the finest resources necessary to help parents and leaders safely lead their Cub Scout, Scouts BSA and Venturing programs.

Safeguarding Youth Training is required for all registered volunteers and must be taken every year. Safeguarding Youth Training is also offered online at scouting.org . 

Scouting America’s Safeguarding Youth Training covers strategies for personal safety and awareness for youth as well as adults, addressing these key policies:

• Two-deep leadership is required on all outings
• One-on-one contact between adults and youth is prohibited
• Privacy of youth is respected
• Separate accommodations for adults and Scouts are required
• Units are responsible for enforcement of the Safeguarding Youth policies

For more information on the  Safeguarding Youth policies, click here.

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UPDATED YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING OVERVIEW

Safeguarding Youth Training FAQ

Scouting America is rolling out updated youth protection training for staff, leaders, and parents. The training will include a three-module course that all leaders will be required to complete.

• Scouting America’s Youth Protection Policies and Procedures
• Sexual Abuse
• Bullying

All new and currently registered leaders will be required to complete the updated training. The prior version of Scouting America’s Youth Protection trainings will no longer be available. The updated training replaces other Youth Protection trainings and is required for all Scouting America programs.

Training is available online 24/7 at: www.scouting.org/youthprotection.

Additional updated youth protection policies include:

1. Any person looking to become a registered leader in Scouting must complete the Scouting America’s youth protection training before registering.
2. Youth protection training is mandatory for any volunteer who participates in an outing lasting longer than 72 hours.
3. Units may not re-charter unless and until all adult leaders are trained in the Scouting America’s youth protection.
4. Adult Safeguarding Youth Training is required for adult program participants 18 years or older. Adult program participants (Venturing, Order of the Arrow, Exploring) must complete adult Safeguarding Youth Training before submitting their adult application.

New training and resources that will further strengthen our ability to protect youth. These changes include:

• Fully updated and revised Safeguarding Youth Training developed with leaders in the field of child abuse prevention and includes insights from experts, survivors and the latest strategies for recognizing and preventing major forms of abuse. This is the designated Youth Protection training for all adults.
• Expanded youth protection content across all our communications channels will inform and engage our volunteers and parents.
• An expanded ScoutsFirst Helpline to aid volunteers and families in addressing potentially dangerous situations.
• Scouting America also provides unlimited counseling and support for healing to anyone who has ever been abused in Scouting.
• Youth protection training for youth members will be available in 2019.

With these changes, we will continue to build a safe environment for our youth. Nothing is more important than the safety of our children. Scouting America will not stand by while people take advantage of our trusted program to harm children.