Troop 2's Policy

To help ensure strict adherence to the BSA Youth Protection policies and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Troop 2 is committed to the following procedures outlined by Scouts BSA and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our number one priority is to protect the physical and psychological safety of the scouts.

All registered unit Adults in Troop 2 are required to adhere to these policies and procedures outlined by Scouts BSA and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in all interactions with scouts in the troop as part of official troop activities.

Additionally, parents or guardians of Troop 2 scouts are required to take BSA Youth Protection Training. Why does Troop 2 require Youth Protection Training for parents or guardians? So that parents or guardians have complete understanding of Scouts BSA policies as outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting, and to hold the Troop leadership accountable to follow policies outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Troop 2 also encourages parents or guardians to complete the PA Child Protection Service Law requirements. In the case that you decide to attend a weekend activity last minute, or to provide transportation, the PA Child Protection Service Law requirements are completed ahead of time. It can take 5 to 10 days to receive your clearances.

Adhering to these policies and procedures as outlined by Scouts BSA and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in all interactions with Scouts in the troop, ensures an environment that protects the physical and psychological safety of the scouts.

Information on the policies and procedures outlined by Scouts BSA and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are listed below. I tried to consolidate all the important information below, with links to the various sites for completing the requirements.

Just note to all registered unit adults in Troop 2. PA Child Protection Service Law requires checks/clearances will need to be renewed every 5 years.

The Troop Committee would like to thank you for your involvement and willingness to adhere to these policies. To create an environment that protects the physical and psychological safety of the scouts.

BSA YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING

BSA Youth Protection Mission Statement

True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection, that volunteers and professionals work within the Boy Scouts of America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, regional, area, council, district, and unit levels.

BSA Youth Protection Training Information

You do not have to be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America to take Youth Protection training.

To take Youth Protection training go to My.Scouting.org and create an account. You’ll receive an email notification with your account information, including a member ID/reference number.

For more in depth information about Youth Protection Training can be found on BSA's National Web Site.

Link for : For Scouts BSA members and Parent\Guardians Guide

Download the How-To Guide for taking Youth Protection Training.

PA CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAW

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted the Child Protective Services Law in 2015. The intent of this law is to protect the youth of Pennsylvania. All youth serving organizations within the Commonwealth are covered under this law. Volunteers, registered and unregistered, in the Cradle of Liberty Council are affected in two ways; we are mandated child abuse reporters and required to provide background check clearances.

Who is required to comply with the Pennsylvania law?

• All individuals seeking to become volunteers for Scouting in the state of Pennsylvania must have proper clearances before beginning volunteer work with Scout youth, as well as complete a new Boy Scouts of America Adult Application and online Youth Protection Training.

• All registered unit, district, and council Scouters, regardless of their position responsibilities must have proper clearances. This includes Scouts BSA and Venturers turning 18.

• All non-registered adults who may have care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children must have proper clearances and should be encouraged to become registered Scout Leaders. The following serve as examples of adults in this category. These examples are not inclusive of all possibilities but are examples to help you begin to think about the way your unit uses non-registered adults.

1. Clearances are required if a carpool is organized or drivers are recruited by the unit’s leaders. If organized parent to parent the clearances are not needed.

2. At events/camps where Scouts are participating without their parent(s), clearances are required. If parents are required for the Scout to attend, clearances are not required (unless the event/activity is greater than 72 hours); example Summer Resident Camp. If greater than 72 hours, completion of the BSA Youth Protection Training course and PA Child Protective Services Law clearances are all required.

3. Parents helping with fundraisers – if the parent will be or could be responsible for a child other than their own son (or daughter) then clearances are required.

4. Clearances are not required for adults who stay occasionally at a meeting to help out unless their participation becomes a regular occurrence.

VOLUNTEERS MUST SECURE AND PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING CLEARANCES TO COUNCIL

• Report of Criminal History from the Pennsylvania State Police

• Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services

• Fingerprint based FBI Criminal History Clearance is also needed. For Volunteers who have lived in PA for the past 10 years, can submit a Disclosure Statement (link below) in lieu of the Fingerprint based FBI Clearance. If you (Volunteer) are under the 10 years, an appointment can be made online, click here: https://uenroll.identogo.com/workflows/1KG6ZJ

SUBMITTING YOUR CLEARANCES TO CRADLE OF LIBERTY COUNCIL

Once you have your three clearances completed you must digitally upload the clearances to council.

Some of the information the site will ask, that you may not know is the following, which I have provided the answers to.

BSA Membership Number: You may or you may not have one, if you do not leave it blank.

Volunteer Type: Scouts BSA Troop for Boys

Unit Number: 0002

District: Conestoga

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

1. Pennsylvania Website on Child Protection:

2. Pennsylvania Volunteer FAQ:

3. Pennsylvania Mandated Reporter FAQ:

4. BSA Volunteer FAQ