Health and Safety
Scouting America’s Commitment to Safety
In Scouting, we will not compromise the safety of our youth, volunteers, and employees. Safety is a value that must be taught and reinforced at every opportunity. We are all responsible and must hold each other accountable to provide a safe environment for all participants. We are committed to abuse prevention by utilizing:
- Mandatory youth protection training.
- Criminal background checks.
- Banning one-on-one adult and youth interactions.
- Mandatory reporting of suspected abuse to law enforcement.
- A volunteer screening database.
We are committed to injury and illness prevention by integrating safety measures in our handbooks, literature, and training materials, including the Guide to Safe Scouting. We expect leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the program. SAFE Scouting measures include:
- Youth are Supervised by qualified and trustworthy adults who set the example for safety.
- Activities are Assessed for risks.
- Pre-requisite Fitness and Skill levels are confirmed before participation.
- Appropriate Equipment is utilized, and Environmental conditions are monitored.
Annual Health and Medical Record
The Scouting adventure, camping trips, high-adventure excursions, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in making sure you have a great Scouting experience.
Incident Reporting
The timely submission of comprehensive incident reports serves as an indispensable cornerstone in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and continuous improvement within Scouting America programs.
MESH
Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH) includes a wide range of issues including our emotional health, our ability to form and maintain relationships, and traditional mental health disorders. Challenges with a participant’s mental, emotional, or social health can occur anywhere and at any time. Scout activities can place stress on Scouts and adult leaders, which can potentially cause a crisis. Because of the wide variety of Scout activities, the response may need to be different depending on the location, available support, and ability to respond. Having a plan to address these events is critical to safely assisting those impacted by the crisis. Learn more in the articles below.
SAFE Checklist
Scouts and their parents anticipate that all Scouting America activities will prioritize safety. To ensure participant well-being, Scouting America holds leaders accountable for adhering to the four points of SAFE when executing the Scouting program.
Safety Moments
Safety Moments are exactly what the name implies: opportunities to prepare for an activity, review safety measures and report incidents correctly.
