Tour Permits - The Dos and Don'ts

By Andy Odell

"What the heck is a tour permit anyway? Why do we need one?" might be the questions a new scout leader may ask. Long-time leaders might know that they have to get one but may not be aware of their importance. A Tour Permit (either Local or National) helps scout leaders prepare for any challenges that may arise as a unit travels to its activities and camps. It also helps a leader review the requirements necessary to run a fun and safe program for the scouts.

Some basics on a Tour Permit are that a unit must have one for any scheduled activity for proper clearance and a unit should file their permit two weeks in advance of the activity. This will allow the council to review the permit and get a copy of it back to the correct unit leader in advance of the trip. You must have the Tour Permit with you and it must have the Council Stamp on it to be a valid Tour Permit, otherwise you're just wasting paper.

What do you need to include on a Tour Permit?

Dos include:

1. Your Unit, Town and District.
2. The dates of your trip and an itinerary if it's a tour.
3. What type of trip.
4. If there are activities involved (swimming, boating, climbing), verify that an adult has been trained in the activity.
5. How you are traveling.
6. How many are going.
7. The Tour Leader's name and personal information.
8. Verify that at least one registered adult who has completed BSA Youth Protection Training attends the activity.
9. Insurance information on all drivers. All vehicles must be covered by a public liability and property damage liability insurance policy and carry coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000/$50,000 or $100,000 combined single limit.
10. Verify that all drivers have a valid driver's license and are at least 18 years of age.
11. Follow the Pledge of Performance.
12. Have fun!

Don'ts include:

1. Wait until the last minute to file your Tour Permit.
2. Hold an activity without properly trained leaders - this includes making sure that at least two adult leaders go on all camping trips and tours.
3. Travel too far or too fast on any travel day; fatigue can be a killer.
4. Violate BSA standards!

Our Pledge of Performance

As Scouters we want to maintain quality standards for all our activities. I'd like to remind everyone of just what we should expect from all our Scouts and leaders. No one is exempt. On any outing we promise to:

1. Use Safe Swim Defense in any swimming activity, Safety Afloat in all watercraft activity and Climb On Safely for any climbing activity.
2. Use trucks only for transporting equipment - no passengers except in the cab.
3. Don't speed, and only use vehicles in safe mechanical condition.
4. Attend to fires at all times.
5. Get any permits required (fire, wilderness, etc.).
6. Act as positive examples of behavior at all times.
7. Maintain personal cleanliness and keep our areas clean - leave any area cleaner than when we got there.
8. Don't litter or bury trash.
9. Don't deface trees or other objects with initials or writing.
10. Respect the property of others and not trespass.
11. Not cut standing trees or shrubs without specific permission from the landowner.
12. We will only collect souvenirs that are gifts to us or that we purchase.
13. Pay our own way.
14. Provide the opportunity to attend religious services on the Sabbath.
15. Write thank-you notes to people who assisted us on the trip.
16. Read and abide by the Wilderness Use Policy of the BSA.
17. Notify the designated contacts in case of serious trouble.
18. If more than one vehicle is used to transport our group, we will establish rendezvous points at the start of each day and not attempt to have drivers closely follow the group vehicle in front of them.

I know this is a lot to absorb. The key to all of it is to apply for your Tour Permit in advance and make sure you follow the recommended guidelines of the Scouting program to ensure a fun and safe program.