SAFETY, Youth Protection & INSURANCE
YPT is now SYT: Safeguarding Youth training.
Scouting America’s most important training has been updated with an entirely new look and feel, including a greater emphasis on the organization’s SAFE initiative, updated information on technology and the threat to youth online, and the use of real volunteers in real Scouting environments.
The training previously known as Youth Protection is now called Safeguarding Youth and is available immediately on my.Scouting.
“Scouting is extremely safe when we follow our protocols as designed,” says Scouting America Chief Safeguarding Officer Glen Pounder, who unveiled the new training at the 2025 National Annual Meeting earlier this month. “The aim is to empower all of our great Scouting families to enjoy the magic of Scouting in a safe way. By following those barriers, they’ll have a much better Scouting experience.”
It is critical that every adult in our program – whether they are a uniformed leader or a parent of a Scout – knows and follows Scouting’s Youth Protection policies. Even if you are not a registered Scout leader or volunteer, it is your responsibility as a parent or guardian to know and understand youth protection guidelines. One of the best ways to do this is to take S.A.F.E Guarding Youth Training. Another is to review the youth protection parent guide included at the front of your child’s Scout handbook. This knowledge will not only benefit you and your child in Scouting, but also equip you to recognize the behavior of potential abusers in your child’s school, sports teams, house of worship, or other activities.
UPDATE: Your existing Youth Protection Training remains valid until May 31, 2026, at which point the new Safeguarding Youth Training will be required.
Scouting America’s proactive approach to youth safety underscores its dedication to providing a secure and enriching environment where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. The launch of this enhanced Safeguarding Youth Training demonstrates a continuous effort to adapt and improve safety measures, ensuring the well-being of all Scouts remains the top priority.
Required Training
- Safeguarding Youth training is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement.
- Safeguarding Youth training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
- You do not have to be a registered member of Scouting America to take Youth Protection training
- When you witness or suspect any child has been abused or neglected- review the “Mandatory Report of Child Abuse” below.
- When you witness a violation of Scouting’s Youth Protection policies – Review the “Reporting Violations of Scouting Youth Protections policies” below.
- Ensure the child is in a safe environment
- In cases of child abuse injury or medical emergencies, call 911 immediately.
- In addition, if the suspected abuse occurred in the Scout’s home or family, you are required by state law to immediately report/contact the local child abuse hotline.
- Notify the Scout Executive or his/her designee, if he/she can not be reached call the 27/7 Scouts First Helpline at 1-844-726-8871 or email, Scoutsfirst@scouting.org.
GAMEHAVEN COUNCIL EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSONNEL
Arne Landsverk
Scout Executive/CEO
Office: 507-361-5342
Cell: 507-722-5218
Past experience has led Scouting America to create and implement the best youth protection procedures among youth-serving organizations nationwide. We constantly evaluate and invest resources to strengthen our policies and ensure they are in line with, and where possible, ahead of best practices for prevention. To support the ongoing effort we regularly consult with survivors and experts from law enforcement, child safety, psychology, and other relevant fields.
- “Two-Deep” Leadership – A youth is not allowed to be alone with an adult leader who isn’t his or her parent/guardian during Scouting activities. Additionally, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his or her own parent/guardian. We also prohibit one-on-one contact between adults and youth members, including texting and communications on social media.
- Criminal Background Checks– Scouting has a formal leader-selection process that includes criminal background checks and other screenings.
- No Hazing– Hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.
- No Bullying – verbal, physical and cyberbullying are prohibited in Scouting.
Any Time an incident occurs when persons are injured or when property damage occurs, leaders must submit an Incident Report. These reports are compiled to give volunteer and staff risk managers an overview of risk areas so Scouting can continually improve safety. Please provide this form whenever ANY incident occurs, preferably within 48 hours of the incident. Once form is complete you should safe it and add it as an attachment to send to council office.
A “near-miss” is an incident that does not result in injury, illness, or damage, but had the potential to do so. Reporting near-misses helps safety leaders to learn and adapt Scouting programs. This form is a tool to gather information. If an injury has occurred, use the incident reporting form mentioned above. Near-Miss form
When a unit(pack, troop, etc.) rents or uses the property of a business or other organization, the property owner will often ask for a “Certificate of insurance” that demonstrates that insurance will cover their property. To request of certificate of insurance please send an email to Barbara Swan with the following information:
- unit type & number
- Unit contact person
- when is the event happening and what is it for?
- Name of company/organization asking for COI.
- Address of company /org.
- Email name and address of person we need to send COI to.
Gamehaven Council provides accident and sickness coverage for registered members through Health Special Risk (HSR). This coverage for Scouts and Scouters furnishes medical reimbursement in case of death, accident or sickness with the policy amounts.
HSR coverage is secondary coverage and excess to any and all other available sources of medical insurance or other healthcare benefits.
The coverage provided has maximum limits and a maximum benefit period, usually 52 weeks from the date of the incident. Claims must be submitted within 90 days directly to HSR as described on the claim form.
Help for Victims of Abuse
Everyone in Scouting America is outraged there have been times when individuals used our programs to gain access to and harm children, and for that we apologize to victims and their families. Nothing is more important than the safety of our youth members. We are committed to providing ongoing support to victims and their families, including counseling. We want to help heal on their own terms.
Support is available to anyone currently or previously involved in Scouting America through our dedicated 24/7 Scouts First Helpline at 1-844-SCOUTS1 (1-844-726-8871) or at Scouts1st@scouting.org
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