BellaOnline Forums Family Boy Scouts New Youth Protection Rules as of June 1st

From BSA National Website -

Effective June 1, 2010

* Youth Protection training is required for all registered volunteers.
* New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before they submit an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
* Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer�s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

I'm curious as to how many adult volunteers will now shy away & refuse to become a leader because of the immediate requirements imposed? It may take some salesmanship to 'recruit your replacement.'

Secondly, the online certificate had problems in the past that resulted when a member number wasn't used. Suppose to be worked out and local Council tagged on the completion notification.

Used to be an Eagle...

The online Youth Protection training takes all of 30-40 minutes to complete. If someone "shys away" from taking it, perhaps that means they are not someone who should be a BSA volunteer.

I never had a problem with my council getting any training of mine uploaded from MyScouting, even when it was first put online.

BSA knows there are problems with training records in general. They are working on that problem in conjunction with the mandatory training pilot program, and upcoming national implementation.

I'm all too familiar with YPT. 10 minutes -I click right to the post test every year before NOAC, Jambo & other such events requiring an update of the material (Aced it 5 years running, but it helps when I'm a Training Team Member).

Although, if you never attended or staffed any such event, you never needed to YPT ever again. Not now...

There used to be more complaints about going to the YPT Training before the online version was available- setting times, getting instructors, etc. Having said that, the on-line training exposes you to the subject matter but I would be hard pressed to say that anyone really learns the information.

A couple of points to remember- two deep leadership will keep you out of trouble in most cases and if you are accused of any inappropriate actions, you will have to prove you didn't do anything. Initially a tough thing for an volunteer to swallow (I'm giving up my time and vacation to teach these kids and I have to go through this??). Our primary concern is the safety of the boys. A little additional guidance in understanding how to avoid problem situations should be worth the time.

Actually, YPT is only good for 2 years.

Also, if you file a Tour Permit for an activity you MUST have at least ONE registered adult who is up to date on YPT listed on the form, and present at the activity.

These have been the rules from National for a good many years now.

Also, simply taking the test does not qualify you as completing YPT. The entire course MUST be gone thru EACH time you re-up your YPT. This refreshes your knowledge, and insures that you are up to date on any changes in YP policies.

Not sure what your definition of 'good many years' is...

As of 2003, when I completed YPT Train the Trainer (TtT) at the Council level and for a couple years following, YPT had no expiration period. The 'completed within 2 years' was only required when functioning as an adult leader at high-level events, i.e., Jambo, NOAC, high adventure camps, etc.

Why does a passing score on the internet post-course generate a completion certificate? Maybe BSA should upgrade the Computer Based Training (CBT) into a format that prevents jumping to the end by requiring any audio for each frame to completely play through before allowing one to continue.

'See you at the hill' when I participate in the Friday Alumni Day

p.s. the Grand Centennial Parade was well worth the DC heat, but a frontal system played havoc on the conclusion of the parade and the tents at the Adventure Base 100/Scouting on the Mall (next to the Washington Monument)

When there was only the "in-person" YPT, you are correct that there was no expiration date. I took that course 15 years ago, and three more times after that actually.

However, in 2004, BSA put YPT online, and REQUIRED that there be a YP trained adult present for all activities requiring a Local, or National, Tour Permit. I believe that is when the 2 year limit on the training was put in place.

In 2004 the training was accessible thru your local council web site only. I believe it was in 2006 that BSA opened their E-Learning site as part of the BSA National web site, and added other online trainings.

For the last several incarnations of the BSA Adult Volunteer Application (at least for the last 3 years), it had stated on both the cover, and the back page, that all newly registered volunteers were expected to take YPT within 90 days. However, before now, there was no consequences for not doing this.

As to being allowed to "test out", here is what BSA states in their YPT FAQ's -

"Q7: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I "test out" by only taking the Youth Protection online quiz?"

"A7: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.
Important: Please note that the quiz has been removed from the e-Learning Center because the content did not reflect the new changes in Youth Protection policy."

BTW - Like you, I am also a fully trained member of my council's Training Team.