Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training (YPT) is a Boy Scout program designed to protect our boys from abuse.  The Boy Scouts of America defines abuse as treatment of a child or parenting practices that cause harm to the child and violate social norms or conventional practices about how children should be treated.  Troop 1602 supports this program and strongly encourages all Troop 1602 parents to be certified (see training opportunities below).  In addition, in order to provide our boys with the skills to protect themselves from abuse at least once per year we show the age-appropriate film "A Time to Tell" to our scouts (with parental approval).

The Youth Protection Guidelines:

1. TWO DEEP LEADERSHIP - Two registered adult leaders or one registered adult leader and a parent of a scout, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings.

2. NO ONE-ON-ONE CONTACT - One-on-one contact between adults and scouts 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.

3. RESPECT FOR PRIVACY - Adult leaders must respect the privacy of scouts 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.

4. SEPARATE ACCOMMODATIONS - When camping, no scout is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian.  When available, separate shower facilities are provided.

5. PROPER PREPARATION FOR HIGH-ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES - Activities with elements of risk will never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.

6. NO SECRET ORGANIZATIONS - The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organization as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.

7. APPROPRIATE ATTIRE - Proper clothing for activities is required.  For example, skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting.

8. CONSTRUCTIVE DISCIPLINE - Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.

9. HAZING PROHIBITED - Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.

10. 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.

11. YOUTH 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, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout membership in the Troop. The Troop will consult with the parents of scouts who fail to meet behavior standards.

The 3 Rs

Youth Protection Training for our boys is based on the 3 R's

RECOGNIZE abuse when it happens

RESIST the abuse

REPORT the abuse as soon as possible

REPORTING ABUSE

The Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America reporting procedures are as follows:

Anytime you suspect child abuse in Scouting you are required to:

1) Keep the matter CONFIDENTIAL and REPORT your suspicions IMMEDIATELY to your local scout executive at (714) 546-8687.

2) In cases of emergency or obvious battering, call one of the following: CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY (714) 940-1000 or your local police or sheriff.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Troop 1602 encourages all parents to be certified in Youth Protection Training.  The certification is good for 3 years and is available from the following resources.

1. Once per year in March or April, Troop 1602 makes Youth Protection Training available at one of our Troop meetings.

2. All of the districts in Orange County Council provide training at least once per month.  For a schedule of YPT training go here.

3. The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America provides an online training course.  Testing and certification is available through this course in coordination with Orange County Council.  Check out the course here.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Youth Protection Training or issues in our troop contact Ralph Crowther, our Scoutmaster, or Marquita Serio, our Troop Committee Chairperson.