Youth Protection Discussion

Scouts, parents, and fellow scouters,

Boy Scouts of America has recently created additional requirements and strengthened existing requirements for Youth Protection training in the adult ranks.  You can learn more on the links from our home page.  The requirements for youth in regards to Youth Protection have been in place for a number of years and Troop 200 has always had a yearly meeting devoted specifically for this purpose.  This meeting, while always deemed important, has seen declining attendance in recent years.

From the Troop Committee’s perspective, whether from effect or from happenstance, the number of incidents involving Youth Protection issues has increased over this same period.  Some of these incidents have risen to the level of notifying Buckeye District personnel as required by the rules governing our position as Scout leaders.  Others have been quietly and effectively dealt with in the background of being Scout leaders.

While it is true that individual units and/or leaders cannot add to or subtract from the requirements set forth by the Boy Scouts of America for rank advancement, the units and leaders are empowered to make sure that the best, and more importantly, safest program is available to your sons.   With that in mind, the Committee discussed the ideals of Youth Protection at the June meeting and has made changes to the program offerings and their requirements.

Starting with the August campout, the Kings Island Camporee, all attendees, adults and boys, must have up-to-date Youth Protection training.  For adults, this means following the requirements recently set forth by the BSA and annunciated on our website – http://www.troop200bsa.org/youth protection.html.  For the boys of Troop 200, attendance at the yearly Youth Protection discussion and presentation will be required to attend any campouts – period.  This year’s presentation is Tuesday, June 30th. The Committee is aware that not every boy can attend every meeting and there will be schedule conflicts.  To this end, the Committee will continue to schedule our yearly presentation and discussion along with at least one, possibly two, make-up dates.  These will be arranged as necessary.

If a boy cannot make any of these presentations and still wishes to participate in camping activities, there will need to be discussion with the Scout Master.  However, until such time that this training is completed, no camp outs can be attended.  This will include summer camp starting in 2011.

If you should have any questions or comments about this policy, please feel free to discuss this with any committee member.

Yours in Scouting,

Jeff Keller, Troop Committee Chairman