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. Please note, 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 before 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.

More information will be shared at Roundtables and other Council gatherings, but for now, if you have questions, please reference Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs.

John Rosenlund, Grand Canyon Council Enterprise Risk Management Chair