Youth Protection

All Boy Scout registered adults, must complete the on-line Youth Protection training to be registered with the BSA.  

1) If an application or recharter is submitted for an adult who has not completed the on-line training within the last 2 years, the application will be held the individual will be advised to complete the training within 30 days by our registrar.
2) If an applicant does not return the completed Youth Protection certificate to our registrar the application will be returned to individual or destroyed.

Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our youth members and participants. To help protect our young people, we are pleased to offer Youth Protection Training. This training is one part of a comprehensive youth protection training program that formally began in 1988. It is designed to help prevent child abuse in all of its forms, whether verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect.

Take Youth Protection Training online at MyScouting.org. You will be asked to create a user account for the Online Training Center if you do not already have one. Once logged in, Youth Protection Training is available under the "General" tab. The course takes about an hour, and you will receive a printable certificate indicating your trained status upon completion. Youth Protection Training online is also offered in Spanish.

Remember: new guidelines in the Guide to Safe Scouting require that at least one leader trained in Youth Protection be present at every outing or event. The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council encourages all unit leaders to complete Youth Protection Training.

Youth Protection-Cyber Chip program

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs. One of the newest programs for educating our Scouts in internet safety is the Cyber Chip program.

Today's youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Boy Scouts of America introduces the Cyber Chip. In developing this exciting new tool, the BSA teamed up with content expert NetSmartz®, part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® and training expert for many law enforcement agencies. 

Netsmartz® has created a Scouting portal showcasing Cyber Chip resources, including grade-specific videos, for each level. (www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection/CyberChip.aspx) Cyber Chip is an educational program is similar to the token chip, where youth get credit for completing portions of the training in topics which include cyberbullying, cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, and identity theft.

All Cyber Chips will expire annually. Each Scout will need to “recharge” the chip by going back to the Netsmartz Recharge area. This space will hold new information, news, and a place for the Scout to recommit to net safety and netiquette. Then, with the unit leader, the Scout can add the new date to the Cyber Chip card or certificate.

Resources

All items listed below can be obtained at the Council Office or at the Pleasant Hill Scout Shop.

• Parents Guides:
  • For Cub Scouts - English or Spanish
  • For Boy Scouts - English or Spanish
• Youth Protection Guidelines for Adult Leaders and Parents - One hour video covering the much of the same information as in the online training in a talk show format. It includes many clips from the videos for Scout-aged boys and girls as well as excellent questions to help leaders and parents know what to do in case abuse has occurred in their unit. BSA Supply No. AV-09DVD01
   
• "It Happened to Me" - DVD for 6-9 year-old Cub Scout-aged boys and their parents. BSA Supply No. AV-09DVD11
   
• Power Pack Pals - Comic series for Cub Scout-aged boys regarding issues of Youth Protection. (Bullying: #33980, Internet Safety: #33981, 4 Rules for Safety: #34750)
   
• "A Time to Tell" - Video designed for Boy Scout-aged boys regarding the prevention of sexual abuse. The three R's of Recognize, Resist, and Report are illustrated and taught in this presentation. BSA Supply No. AV-09DVD05
   
• "Youth Protection: Personal Safety Awareness for Venturing" - Video for 14 to 20 year-old coed teen crews and posts. Scenarios are presented, local discussion allowed, and then Reality Check segments are presented to clarify the information regarding issues of acquaintance rape, internet safety, stalking, and sexual harassment. BSA Supply No. AV-09DVD33
   
• Guide to Safe Scouting - BSA Supply no. 34416A
   
• Video Guides - "It Happened to Me" and "A Time to Tell"
   
• Articles from Scouting Magazine
   
• Articles from Boys' Life