New to Scouting? Click here to login and take Youth Protection training . You do not have to be a registered member of the BSA to take Youth Protection training.

When you witness or suspect any child has been abused or neglected:

1. Ensure the child is in a safe environment.

2. Child abuse or medical emergencies? Call 911.

Contact Child Protective Services of your state: Ohio: 1-855-OH-CHILD (1-855-642-4453) or Kentucky: 1-877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331) if abuse is in the home or family.

3. Notify the Deputy Scout Executive at (513) 577-7700. BE A YOUTH PROTECTION HERO.

WHAT DO I DO IF I SUSPECT ABUSE? Questions? Call the Scouts First Helpline at (844) 726-8871.

Want more information? Visit the Dan Beard Council webpage at www.danbeard.org/YouthProtection

Guide to Safe Scouting

All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting, applicable program literature or manuals, and be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America practices, policies, and guidelines. The Guide to Safe Scouting is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from a variety of sources. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities.

In situations not specifically covered in this guide, activity planners should evaluate the risk or potential risk of harm, and respond with action plans based on common sense, community standards, the Scout motto, and safety policies and practices commonly prescribed for the activity by experienced providers and practitioners.

Perhaps this quote by Sir Robert Baden-Powell from his 1914 book Quick Training for War is appropriate to include here: “… The books lay down definite principles and examples which serve to guide the leaders when applying their common sense to the situation before them. No two situations are ever precisely the same, and it is therefore impossible to lay down exact rules that should guide in every case, but a man who carries precedents and principles in his head has no difficulty in applying their teaching in supreme moments of sudden emergency …”