The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members.
Youth Protection Training
(soon to be known as Safeguarding Youth)
Starting September 1,2024, changes were made to our Youth Protection Guidelines.
The first change is that Youth Protection is now being known as Safeguarding Youth.
Some highlights are changing the buddy system, sleeping accommodations, and reiterating some already known rules.
Please click here to view/download a breakdown of the changes
The Unit Key-3 will no longer be able to edit the YPT dates. As of March 4th, 2024, the BSA will be requiring that the Criminal Background Check is completed before you can become an active adult leader.
Units that are rechartering, should encourage their leadership to check on and update their YPT if it has been at least a year since they last completed it. Remember that this can be done individually or the leadership can set up a training date for their unit to complete it all at the same time. Please remember that if your unit does their Youth Protection Training as a unit to turn in a Training Attendance report to the Council with the updated information. This form is available at the Council office or click here to download.
As a reminder the Midnight Sun Council requires our adult leaders and merit badge counselors to complete their YPT yearly.
Please check your YPT training as some members are past the one year date required by the Midnight Sun Council
The Boy Scouts of America’s updated youth protection training doesn’t just talk about the dangers of child predators – it shows how they work to gain access to their victims.
The BSA introduced newly updated youth protection training that is required for all volunteers.
The updated training, which includes three modules and a test that take a little over an hour to complete, draws on research from experts in the field of child abuse and maltreatment to identify the contributing factors and threats across the spectrum of child abuse, including: bullying, neglect, exposure to violence, physical and emotional abuse, and child sexual abuse. Once completed, volunteers will not have to retake the training for two years.
New to this version of the training program are video interviews with psychologists and law enforcement professionals who discuss the root causes of abuse, how to recognize it, and how to respond.
“There is no substitute for hearing directly from experts who have spent their careers studying child predators and abusers,” said Michael Johnson, the BSA’s director of youth protection. “They shine a new light on the challenge we all face in protecting kids and how parents and volunteers can put barriers in place to keep them away.”
Some of the most impactful aspects of the training are interviews with abuse survivors, who give their first-hand perspectives. “In developing this training, we discussed whether or not to include survivor videos,” said Johnson. “It was the right decision. Their testimony is powerful and highlights how predators work and the tragic impact like nothing else.”
In addition to updated training, the BSA recently announced new policies to ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements, including:
As of January 1, 2018, no new leader can be registered without first completing youth protection training.
As of January 1, 2018, no council, regional, or national leader will be allowed to renew their registration if they are not current on their Youth Protection Training.
As of September 1, 2017, no unit may re-charter without all leaders being current on their Youth Protection Training. Registrars no longer have the ability to approve charters without full compliance.
Effective June 1, 2018, adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as a leader, including completion of a criminal background check and Youth Protection Training. The 72 hours need not be consecutive. All together, it’s a bold new approach that will serve as just one part of the BSA’s ongoing effort to enroll the entire community in the fight against child abuse both in and out of Scouting.
Youth Protection Training Now Available on Mobile
The Youth Protection (Y01) online training course will now work on mobile devices.
Volunteers can access YPT at my.scouting.org and complete the training from their tablet!
IMPORTANT: The training certificate is not automatically produced upon completion of the training course!
Volunteers will need to return to the My Training page to print their certificate. Improvements are in the works to prompt the volunteer to return to print the certificate.
The Midnight Sun Council was honored to present the Medal of Merit Award to ten of the twelve individuals who earned it at our closing campfire last night. The remaining two will be presented at a future date. The awards were presented to participants and leaders of last year’s National Youth Leadership Training course (NYLT), who came across a wildfire and were able to put it out before it went too far. In a state where a fire can burn millions of acres, this was a great job well done. There were houses in the vicinity, but the nearest firehouse was at least an hour away. Using what they had, and engaging passing motorists, they were able to save the nearby houses, and prevent a catastrophe. Yes, these Scouts and Scouters set a fine example of teamwork, leadership, and what it means to be prepared. Congratulations and thanks to each one of you!