Boy Scouts of America
Youth Protection Resources

One of the goals of Scouting is make sure Scouts and Scouters are “prepared”.  With this goal in mind, we have developed this page to inform and educate both youth and adults in the area of Youth Protection.  The Scouting program needs to be a safe place for Scouts to enjoy the program and the positive experiences that come with being involved in the Scouting program.

The videos listed on this page are intended to be viewed by the youth members of a Scouting unit.  Also included to view and/or download are the meeting guides for the presenter of the videos.  Please be sure to follow the guides as outlined to ensure that the youth training can be its most effective.

For more information about any of the Youth Protection Training videos or courses, feel free to contact your local Scouting professional or the Blue Mountain Council Scouting Service Center at either 509-735-7306, toll free at  1-800-821-4939 or via email at (plug email form).

If you do not have a video player that supports MPEG4 you can download Apple Quicktime for free here.

Youth Protection Training for Cub Scouts

It Happened To Me(for 6-10 year-olds and should be viewed with a parent or guardian) 

Me Paso A Mi en Espanol (low resolution MPEG4)

Youth Protection Training for Boy Scouts

A Time To Tell (for 11-13 year-olds)

Youth Protection Training for Venturers

Personal Safety Awareness

Youth Protection Training for Adult Leaders

On-line Training

Barriers to Abuse Within Scouting

The BSA has adopted the following policies to provide additional security for our members. These policies are primarily for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve to protect our adult leaders from false accusations of abuse.

  • Two-deep leadership. Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. The chartered organization is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for all activities.
  • No one-on-one contact. One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require personal conferences, such as a Scoutmaster's conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths.
  • Respect of privacy. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.
  • Separate accommodations. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. Councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers.
  • Proper preparation for high-adventure activities. Activities with elements of risk should never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.
  • No secret organizations. The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.
  • Appropriate attire. Proper clothing for activities is required. For example, skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting.
  • Constructive discipline. Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
  • Hazing prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.
  • Junior leader training and supervision. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.
  • Member responsibilities. All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, drugs, and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout's membership in the unit.
  • Unit responsibilities. The head of the chartered organization or chartered organization representative and the local council must approve the registration of the unit's adult leader. Adult leaders of Scouting units are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. Parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for assistance in dealing with it.

The "three R's" of Youth Protection

The "three R's" of Youth Protection convey a simple message to youth members:

      • Recognize situations that place you at risk of being molested, how child molesters operate, and that anyone could be a molester.
      • Resist unwanted and inappropriate attention. Resistance will stop most attempts at molestation.
      • Report attempted or actual molestation to a parent or other trusted adult. This prevents further abuse and helps to protect other children. Let the Scout know he or she will not be blamed for what occurred.