The Boy Scouts of America has issued some clarifications for Cub Scout Camping that our units need to be aware of. If you have questions about these, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Adventure@alamoareabsa.org Clarifications are bolded below but be sure to be knowledgeable about the entire document.
For those who might be unaware of what the Guide to Safe Scouting is, it is the BSA’s resource for leaders that contains policies and guidelines for Scouting activities. It’s always a good idea to reacquaint yourself with this important document, after all, the Guide to Safe Scouting is just that – a document created to keep the youth in the program safe.
Additional Guidelines Specifically for Cub Scout Unit-Coordinated Camping
Cub Scout camping is limited to their council’s designated locations with appropriate facilities.
- Councils use Pack Overnight Campout Site Appraisal Form (www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/430-90218-PackOvernightForm_Fillable.pdf) to review and designate locations.
- Units can request from their council a site appraisal but cannot do their own appraisal.
- Cub Scout pack unit coordinated camping is limited to single overnight experiences.
- Cub Scout camping is a family-centric program.
- Cub Scout youth may tent with a parent or guardian as outlined in Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse.
- Cub Scout youth should attend the camping event with their parent(s)/ guardian(s).
- Lions and Tigers must have their adult partner present to take part.
- For all other ranks: only in exceptional circumstances, a Cub Scout whose parent or legal guardian cannot attend a unit overnight camping trip may participate under the supervision of another registered adult member of the BSA, a parent of a Cub Scout who is also attending. The unit leader and a parent or legal guardian must agree to the arrangement, and all Youth Protection policies apply. At no time may another adult accept responsibility for more than one additional “non family member” youth.
- Webelos and Arrow of Light Den Camping: Each Scout should attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s). A Webelos or Arrow of Light Scout whose parent or legal guardian cannot attend a den overnight camping trip may participate under the supervision of at least two registered leaders. The leaders and a parent or legal guardian must agree to the arrangement, and all Youth Protection policies apply.
- Only Webelos and Arrow of Light dens may conduct den-coordinated campouts. Den camping only includes the Webelos or Arrow of Light youth. As with pack-coordinated campouts, the den must have a BALOO-trained adult leader in attendance and all Youth Protection policies apply.
- Webelos/Arrow of Light Den Camping may participate and camp at a Scouts BSA troop unit campout. All Cub Scout camping requirements still apply, including the den must have a BALOO-trained adult leader in attendance and all Youth Protection policies apply.
- Webelos/Arrow of Light Dens may only participate at a Scouts BSA “camporee” as day visitors.
Helpful Links to Know
Guide to Safe Scouting link: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/gss/. It is important to only use the online version to get the most current version of the resource.
Cub Scout Packs who camp, must have a minimum of one BALOO-trained leader at the campout. Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) trainings can be found at the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council’s Training Calendar.
