The BSA's Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs at https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/yp-faqs/ were updated in February 2023, clarifying some of the discussion that has been posted on this thread regarding overnight outings at the Scouts BSA level, in particular for units that might use Merit Badge Counselors as a required registered adult, and the 72-hour rule.
As of September 2023, all adults on an overnight outing must be registered, replacing the previous 72-hour policy (note the effective date of September 2023 does not appear on the FAQs, but it is in Guide to Safe Scouting). They further clarify that the registered position must be "adult fee required", and note that registration as a Merit Badge Counselordoes not meet this requirement. While a merit badge counselor would not satisfy this Barriers to Abuse policy, a Committee Member would since they are listed on the list of "fee required" positions.
In conjunction with the requisite two registered adults over 21, one of which must be a female if female youth are participating required by YPT, the Guide to Safe Scouting on page 21 says that supervision of camping activities must include "qualified, registered, adult leadership", and that one leader present is current in Hazardous Weather Training. The SAFE list on page 40 says that adults are to be "adequately trained, experienced, and skilled to lead the activity, including the ability to prevent and respond to likely problems and potential emergencies" and that they know and deliver "the program of the Boy Scouts of America with integrity." Offering a safe, quality program should be the goal on every outing.
I could find no where in BSA literature where they state that the "trained" leader must be an ASM. It has always been odd to me that the BSA specifies that at least one BALOO trained adult must be on a Cub Scout campout, but does not specify that an ASM must be on a Scouts BSA campout. It could certainly be implied by the description of IOLS training which "provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors" and that SM/ASM are generally categorized as Scout-facing positions.
In my opinion, at least one of the required adults on an overnight outing should be an experienced ASM with the scoutcraft skills to supervise the outing and mentor their youth leadership. It is difficult to deliver a quality program without this. The second adult leader could be an experience or inexperienced, ASM or Committee member. I have camped with committee members as my second adult, who may not have scoutcraft skills, but have the experience to assist in supervising or mentoring in a youth-led fashion. I have also camped with inexperienced adult leaders. New leaders should accompany experienced leaders to get experience in how they can best help deliver a youth led program. As others have said, troops or councils can have more stringent policies, so as your unit commissioner for more information.
Can Committee Members Go Camping with the Troop ?
in Working with Kids
Posted
The BSA's Youth Protection and Barriers to Abuse FAQs at https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/yp-faqs/ were updated in February 2023, clarifying some of the discussion that has been posted on this thread regarding overnight outings at the Scouts BSA level, in particular for units that might use Merit Badge Counselors as a required registered adult, and the 72-hour rule.
As of September 2023, all adults on an overnight outing must be registered, replacing the previous 72-hour policy (note the effective date of September 2023 does not appear on the FAQs, but it is in Guide to Safe Scouting). They further clarify that the registered position must be "adult fee required", and note that registration as a Merit Badge Counselor does not meet this requirement. While a merit badge counselor would not satisfy this Barriers to Abuse policy, a Committee Member would since they are listed on the list of "fee required" positions.
In conjunction with the requisite two registered adults over 21, one of which must be a female if female youth are participating required by YPT, the Guide to Safe Scouting on page 21 says that supervision of camping activities must include "qualified, registered, adult leadership", and that one leader present is current in Hazardous Weather Training. The SAFE list on page 40 says that adults are to be "adequately trained, experienced, and skilled to lead the activity, including the ability to prevent and respond to likely problems and potential emergencies" and that they know and deliver "the program of the Boy Scouts of America with integrity." Offering a safe, quality program should be the goal on every outing.
I could find no where in BSA literature where they state that the "trained" leader must be an ASM. It has always been odd to me that the BSA specifies that at least one BALOO trained adult must be on a Cub Scout campout, but does not specify that an ASM must be on a Scouts BSA campout. It could certainly be implied by the description of IOLS training which "provides adult leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the out-of-doors" and that SM/ASM are generally categorized as Scout-facing positions.
In my opinion, at least one of the required adults on an overnight outing should be an experienced ASM with the scoutcraft skills to supervise the outing and mentor their youth leadership. It is difficult to deliver a quality program without this. The second adult leader could be an experience or inexperienced, ASM or Committee member. I have camped with committee members as my second adult, who may not have scoutcraft skills, but have the experience to assist in supervising or mentoring in a youth-led fashion. I have also camped with inexperienced adult leaders. New leaders should accompany experienced leaders to get experience in how they can best help deliver a youth led program. As others have said, troops or councils can have more stringent policies, so as your unit commissioner for more information.