BARRIERS TO ABUSE
BARRIERS TO ABUSE UPDATE
All Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Sea Scouting Ships, Exploring Posts, council, and district overnight programs will be required to comply with this update by September 1, 2023.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
The “72-Hour Rule” is eliminated.
All adults staying overnight* in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as: (1) Adult Fee Required Position, (2) Adult Program Participant Individuals aged 18-20 participating in a Venturing, Sea Scouting, or Exploring program.
All adults must review the “How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” that can be found in the front of each Youth Handbook.
All OVERNIGHT adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position* including:
18+ adults attending a Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scout or Exploring activity.
18+ adults attending a Cub Scout event/activity who are not the parent or legal guardian.
What is an adult fee required position?
A list of qualifying adult registration fee required positions can be found here.
Registration as a Merit Badge Counselor, Lion Cub partner, Tiger Partner does not meet the requirement.
*Limited exception for Cub Scout overnight Programs.
Cub Scout Programs – Overnight Exception: Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders.
The parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward.
Further details from the BSA National Council on Barriers to Abuse can be found here.
Cub Scout Parent Exemption Specific Questions:
Q: Our Cub Scout Pack has a campout planned for this weekend. The Scout’s mom is unable to attend, but the grandfather would like to camp with the Cub Scout in her place. Does the grandfather need to be a registered leader?
A: Yes. Only parents and legal guardians are exempt from registration requirements if they participate in an overnight Cub Scout activity with their child/ward. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. will need to be registered members of the BSA in a fee-based position to camp overnight.
Q: Since the parent is unable to attend and there isn’t time to register the grandparent, does that mean the Cub Scout can’t attend at all?
A: No. In exceptional circumstances when a parent or legal guardian cannot attend an overnight activity with their Cub Scout, the Scout may participate under the supervision of another registered adult member of the BSA who is the parent of a Cub Scout also attending. The unit leader and parent/legal guardian must agree to the arrangement ahead of time, and all Youth Protection policies apply. At no time may another adult accept responsibility for more than one additional “non-family member” youth. For Webelos/Arrow of Light den coordinated campouts where the camping only includes Webelos/Arrow of Light youth, a Webelos/Arrow of Light Scout whose parent/legal guardian cannot attend may participate under the supervision of at least two registered leaders. The leaders and a parent/legal guardian must agree to the arrangement ahead of time, and all Youth Protection policies apply.
Q: All our Tiger Cub Parents are listed as adult partners, so they are already registered.
A: No. Tiger Cub and Lion Cub Adult Partners are not and have never been considered registered positions within the BSA. In order for an adult to be registered they must complete an adult application, complete Youth Protection Training, submit background clearances (in the state of PA), and fees for their registration.
Q: If a female Cub Scout is the only female at an event and her father is with her at the event, and all of the other registered leaders there are male, does a registered adult female need to be present since the lone female is with her parent?
A: Yes. If a female Cub Scout is present, a registered female leader must also be in attendance at the event, per the BSA’s Youth Protection Guidelines.
Scouts BSA/Venturing/Sea Scouts/Exploring Questions:
Q: We have a parent in our unit who is only able to attend one overnight camping activity each year. Does this parent need to be registered?
A: Yes. Even if they are only attending one camping event during the year, they must be registered in a fee-based position.
Q: Our Crew has members who are over 18, how do we register them?
A: Individuals aged 18-20 are registered as Adult Program Participants. Upon turning 18, young adults must submit an adult application, complete Youth Protection Training, and have background clearances (for PA residents). They will still be able to participate in the program, hold leadership positions, and earn awards like younger members, but the adult application is required for a background check to be completed by the National Council.
Q: Why is a female adult 21 years of age or over required whenever female youth are present, but not the other way around?
A: The requirement to ensure that a registered female adult is present at activities serving girls is not dissimilar to policies we’ve enacted in the past for Venturing when male and female adult leaders were required for certain co-ed activities. At this time, we believe that these are the best, most appropriate measures for our movement. We hope you understand that these requirements were given substantial and thorough consideration.
Registration Questions:
A: No. Positions such as Unit Advancement Chair are functional roles, which are not registered positions. An individual serving in that type of role should be registered as a Member of the Unit Committee.
Q: What position codes are considered “fee-based?”
A: A full list of fee-based position codes can be found on Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs | Scouting America (scouting.org). Typical unit-based positions include Scoutmaster/Assistant; Cubmaster/Den Leader/Assistant; Advisor/Associate; Skipper/Mate; Member of the Committee; Committee Chair; or Chartered Organization Representative. Units may also use the Unit Scouter Reserve position. Additional positions, including District and Council positions, can be found by using the link above.
Q: Why do they need to be registered in a fee-based position?
A: Registration in a fee-based position ensures that all adults undergo a background clearance check and volunteer screening database check.
Q: Is there a recommended way to register those adults who help out here or there but otherwise are not actively participating with our unit?
A: Yes. For those adults who only help out here and there, for example, driving the troop trailer to a campout and staying the night once or twice a year, we recommend that they be registered as Unit Scout Reserve. 18-20-year-olds who wish to remain registered with a troop but are otherwise inactive, for example away at college, can be registered as College Scouter Reserve. Otherwise, all adult adults should be registered in the position that corresponds with the role they are fulfilling.
Q: How will adult registration be verified for those adults staying overnight at Scouting events?
A: For unit-coordinated overnight activities, it is the responsibility of the unit to ensure all adults meet BSA registration requirements. For district and Laurel Highlands Council-coordinated activities and events, verification will take place during arrival and check-in. A current unit roster from my.scouting must be presented to check against the event registrant roster or individuals may present a current BSA membership card which is available through my.scouting.
