Atlanta Area Council  
   

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: Does the executive officer (Institutional Head) of a unit need to take Youth Protection training?

A: If the executive officer is not a registered leader, he or she is not required to complete Youth Protection training, although it is strongly recommended. If the executive officer is registered as an adult leader, then he or she must complete Youth Protection training.

 

Q: I am an adult partner for a Lion or Tiger. Do I need to take Youth Protection training?

A: The Lion and Tiger adult partner designations is not a registered adult leader position; therefore, mandatory Youth Protection training is not required. It is strongly recommended, however, that all adults involved in Scouting take Youth Protection training. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection training.

 

Q: Are parents who attend weekly meetings, weekend campouts, or summer resident camp required to take Youth Protection training?

A: Only if they are registered leaders. However, it is highly recommended that any adult participating with your unit activities take Youth Protection training. Having them register as adult leaders is also highly recommended. Also, if attending a longer campout like summer resident camp for 72 hours or longer, the adult must be registered and YPT Trained.

 

Q: Can a council or district organize Youth Protection group training for its adults?

A: Yes. It is encouraged that adults take the training via the online module, a facilitator lead version of the latest Youth Protection Training will be hosted at the Volunteer Service Center over the summer. 

Please note that a new version of Youth Protection Training was introduced in early 2018, which must be completed by all registered adult volunteers by October 1, 2018.

Reminder: It is critical that training completion certificates be issued after successful completion and that a formal training record roster is submitted to the council registrar so proper credit can be recorded in the profiles of each participant.

 

Q: Why do we have this youth protection policy?

A: Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA. It is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest youth program and the best training is being offered. The BSA's Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult leaders.

 

Q: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance on the background check to meet with youth?

A: No. As long as their application is fully completed, approved, and submitted to the Council Service Center, their fee is paid, and Youth Protection training is certified, they will be able to interact with youth while the Criminal Background Check (CBC) is still pending.

 

Q: If a unit's leaders' Youth Protection training is not current, should we not register any new youth to their units until they do so, or will those who are not current be dealt with through the recharter process?

A: This policy does not affect youth registrations. However, if a unit's leadership has not complied with the new Youth Protection standard by the next rechartering period, the unit will NOT be able to complete its registration.

 

Q: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection training?

A: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.

 

Q: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she log in and take the Youth Protection training?

A: A person does not have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training. To take the training, log in to myscouting.org and create an account. From the myscouting.org portal, click on E-training and take Youth Protection. Upon completion, print a certificate and submit with a new application or submit to the unit leader for processing at the local council.

 

Q: Can units that have some adults that have not completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?

A: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required positions filled with Youth Protection trained adults. Adults who have not completed Youth Protection training will not be reregistered.

 

Q: Is there a grace period to get all adults trained?

A: No. If a leader's Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer must take or renew their training immediately. Every effort should be taken so that all adults involved in Scouting have a current certificate of completion of the Youth Protection training.

 

Q: Does all volunteers mean all volunteers-even board members and council presidents?

A: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth Protection-trained. This is an important statement for us an organization and shows our commitment to the well-being of our youth members.

 

 

 

ATLANTA AREA COUNCIL
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

1800 Circle 75 Parkway SE
Atlanta, GA 30339

phone: 770.989.8820

Hours of Operation:
8:30am - 6:00pm (M-F) 
9:00am - 1:00pm (Sat.)
Closed (Sun.)

ATLANTA SCOUT SHOP

1800 Circle 75 Parkway SE
Atlanta, GA 30339

phone: 770.988.9912

Hours of Operation:
9:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. (M-F) 
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. (Sat.)
Closed (Sun.)