As part of our ongoing commitment to abuse prevention, the Boy Scouts of America is updating the adult supervision requirements for overnight activities. This update enhances the minimum “two deep leadership” requirements by additionally requiring every adult present on overnight activities to be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America. These adults must submit an adult application and registration fee, undergo a criminal background check, a volunteer screening database check and must complete mandatory Youth Protection training.
A limited exception for parents and legal guardians of Cub Scout youth attending overnight with their children is planned due to the family-centric nature of Cub Scouting.
All Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Sea Scouting Ships, Exploring Posts, council, and district overnight programs will be required to comply with this update by September 1, 2023. We encourage early adoption prior to the effective date.
This updated Barrier to Abuse can be referenced as part of the Guide to Safe Scouting, Youth Protection and Adult Leadership section, Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse. Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs will be expanded to include additional FAQs as they are developed.
