Youth Protection Training

Child abuse is an increasingly serious, widespread problem in society, affecting every ethnic group, socioeconomic level, and geographic area. The significance of this problem is revealed by the nearly 3 million cases of child abuse reported each year in the United States. The Boy Scouts of America has developed Youth Protection training to prepare its leaders to help children who have been, or are being, abused.

The training program includes information for parents as well as the video It Happened to Me. Materials are for use in pack and den meetings to show Cub Scouts and their parents what they should do to prevent abuse from happening to them.

In addition, the BSA has adopted a comprehensive set of policies and procedures to help ensure that Scouting continues to be safe for all participants. Background checks are required for all new leaders as of April 2003, and the Boy Scouts of America will not tolerate any form of child abuse in its program and will take all necessary steps to remove any offenders from membership in the BSA.

Every leader in Scouting should complete Youth Protection training, which is delivered by the district or council. Parents will also find this training valuable. In addition to a thorough review of BSA Youth Protection policies, the training develops an increased awareness of Youth Protection issues.

Your pack trainer, Cubmaster, unit commissioner, or district training chair can provide information on how to receive this important training.

Internet-Based Training
This interactive computer-based training uses a different format than the training sessions, but it delivers the same information. It is an additional resource that unitscan use to ensure that all leaders have an opportunity to complete Youth Protection Training as soon as possible, and it will always be available to leaders who would like to retake the course to refresh their knowledge and keep up-to-date.

• View the online version of Youth Protection Training in the Online Learning Center

This training is part of the required training for all leaders to be considered "trained". Once completed, it need not be taken again, even if the leader moves to a different position or program level. However, it is recommended that a leader participates in this training at least every three years.

Go to the Online Learning Center to take part in this important training.