Scouting America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. One aspect is having our leaders trained in safeguarding youth. Safeguarding Youth Training is required once a year and replaces Youth Protection Training. All YPT expires 5/31/2026 and you must take Safeguarding youth before this date to be in compliance as a leader.
Our safeguarding youth policies state:
- All persons 18 and over registering with the Scouting America are required to complete Safeguarding Youth Training, which is available online at my.scouting.org. Safeguarding Youth Training must be current to register. Safeguarding Youth Training: https://training.scouting.org/learning-plans/2025
- No new adult can be registered without first completing Safeguarding Youth Training at the time of registration.
- Safeguarding Youth Training must be taken every year.
- If a volunteer's Safeguarding Youth Training record is not current at the time of renewal, the volunteer will not be reregistered.
- All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant. Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in.
Registration as a merit badge counselor position does not meet this requirement.
- Cub Scout Programs - Overnight Exception: Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. All adults must review the How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide that can be found in the front of each Cub Scout Handbook. In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward. All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position.
Important Notes:
- If your member ID is not in your my.Scouting profile, please update your profile to add the member ID.
- If you have multiple member IDs, please ensure that your latest Safeguarding Youth Training is reflected in all your registrations.
- If you have completed Safeguarding Youth Training and need help to update your training record, please provide a copy of your Safeguarding Youth Training certificate to your unit leader, who can update your training record in the Training Manager tool on my.Scouting.org. Your unit commissioner or local council can also assist in getting your record updated.
- Trainings completed within the last 24 hours may not yet be reflected in your record. Please login to your my.Scouting account to confirm that Your Safeguarding Youth Training is updated under My Dashboard - My Training.
- Should you have questions, you may contact Kenneth LaCrosse, Northeast Illinois Council Registrar, who can assist you.
- For more information on creating and maintaining a safe Scouting experience, please review the Guide to Safe Scouting or the Scouting Safely website.
Thank you for your service to the youth in your community.