The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting
is to prepare adult leaders to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. The policies and
guidelines have been established because of the real need to protect members from known hazards that have
been identified through eighty-plus years of experience. Limitations on certain activities should not be
viewed as stumbling blocks; rather, policies and guidelines are best described as stepping-stones toward
safe and enjoyable adventures.
Unit leaders should be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America policies and guidelines.
When considering activities not specifically addressed in Scouting literature, activity planners should evaluate the benefit to the Scouting program versus the risk of injury. The benefit side includes the question: "Does this activity further the aims and methods of Scouting?"
Scouting Safety Begins with Leadership
Because the majority of Scout injuries and accidents occur during unit events, Health and Safety has
developed a video and training course intended to heighten troop, pack, and crew leaders' awareness
of safety and risk management issues. Contact your local council service center or your district or
council training chairman to get the date, time, and place of the next Scouting Safety Begins With
Leadership course.
Donald Smith, a risk management committee member in the Patriot's Path Council, created a PowerPoint® slide presentation, SafeScout, that can be used with the video or as a shorter stand-alone presentation for roundtable discussions. Get a copy of the slide show by calling or e-mailing Risk Management at 972-580-2228; vsavoy@netbsa.org. Let us know if you prefer disk or e-mail as the mode of delivery.
BSA Rules and Policies
Bold type throughout the Guide to Safe Scouting denotes BSA rules and policies.
Viewing the online Guide
The Guide to Safe Scouting is available here in two formats: