Safeguarding Youth Training

Scouting safely is our top priority and the Gulf Stream Council and Scouting America are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all. To further our commitment to safety, Scouting America launched the new Safeguarding Youth Training replacing Youth Protection Training. The enhanced training module is now live and available to complete.

This training is mandatory for all registered adult volunteers and has been developed with insights from leading experts in child safety, law enforcement, and child psychology. This updated training reinforces a culture of active supervision, situational awareness, and safety, ensuring we are all equipped to help keep our Scouts safe.

Course Details:

 Duration: ~90 minutes

 Available in English and Spanish

? Requirements: Complete all lessons + score 80% or higher on the final test

After completing the full course once, a 15-minute refresher and retest is required each year to stay current. If you’ve already completed Youth Protection Training (YPT), your certification remains valid. However, all volunteers will be required to take the new Safeguarding Youth Training within the next 12 months. We've included additional details including Take the Training and Guide to Safe Scouting.

Scouting America 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 all programs.

Leadership Selection

Scouting America takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members call for high-quality adult leaders. We work closely with our chartered organizations to help recruit the best possible leaders for their units.

Required Training

  • Safeguarding Youth training is required for all BSA registered volunteers.
  • Safeguarding Youth training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training record is not current at the time of renewal, the volunteer will not be renewed.

 Scouting America requires criminal background checks for all adult leaders. These checks are conducted by a nationally recognized third party and are a part of their formal volunteer selection process. All adults must fill out the Criminal Background form attached to the adult application, all applicants must be cleared before they can participate in Scouting America. Typically a background check takes 24 to 48 hours to clear, but could take 5 to 10 business days to process. An email will be sent to the Unit Key 3, once the applicant is cleared.

You do not have to be a registered member of Scouting America to take the Safeguarding Youth training.

To Report A Youth Protection Issue

The Boy Scouts of America 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, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs.

CLICK HERE to receive the Gulf Stream Council Camp Youth Protection Policy.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Boy Scouts of America's Youth Protection policies and the training you must complete if you are a registered adult member of Scouting.