Rules & Regulations

Camp Karankawa

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Guide to Safe Scouting

Guide to Safe Scouting
CH. 1 - Youth Protection and Leadership
CH. 2 - Aquatics Safety
CH. 3 - Camping
CH. 4 - Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use and Abuse
CH. 5 - Emergency Preparedness
CH. 6 - First Aid
CH. 7 - Fuels and Fire Prevention
CH. 8 - Guns and Firearms
CH. 9 - Sports and Activities
CH. 10 - Inspections
CH. 11 - Medical Information
CH. 12 - Transportation
CH. 13 - Winter Activities

BSA Youth Protection Reporting Guidelines

It is the LAW
IMPORTANT

Child abuse is a crime. It can involve the emotional, physical, and sexual victimization of children. Texas law says: “Any person having cause to believe…” that a child has been abused or neglected must report the situation to Child Protective Services or to the local law enforcement agency within 48 hours of suspicion. You do not have to know beyond any doubt that a child has been a victim of child abuse. Anyone who reports in good faith is protected from legal liability. Failure to report a case of child abuse is a Class B misdemeanor.

CONTACTS for REPORTING

• (800) 252-5400 Child Protective Services Reporting Hot Line
• (409) 766-2300 Galveston County Sheriff
• (979) 345-5197,  (800)392-4321 Brazoria County Sheriff (including Camp Karankawa)
• If you are unsure of the number of the local law enforcement agency, call 911.

If you come to suspect that a youth is being abused or an adult or older youth is a potential abuser you must:

1. First to Child Protective Services or local law enforcement. (You cannot delegate the responsibility of reporting to a unit leader, Scout Executive, or anyone else. If you suspect, you must report!)
2. Then, if the youth or adult is a member of the Boy Scouts of America, you must contact the Scout Executive at 409-744-5206 or 1-800-516-4664.

TRAINING

BSA expects all adult volunteers to receive training in Youth Protection and all youth in the Scouting program to be exposed to the Youth Protection programs developed by the BSA.

Every Unit should designate a Youth Protection Coordinator, not to do the training, but to ensure that leaders and Scouts are being trained. Having a Youth Protection Coordinator is a requirement for any unit to attain the Quality Unit award.

Bay Area Council has a trained team of Youth Protection Trainers. It is important that everyone working with youth be trained. Contact the council to arrange an in-person training for Scout or Non-Scouting Groups. To schedule a training for your group or unit visit the training page of the council web site at www.bacBSA.org to find the contact in your area or call 409-744-5206

Health and Safety for Scouts, Volunteers, and their Families

It is a fundamental Scouting that belief that Scouting must be fun and safe. Camping and high adventure activities within the Boy Scouts are done with the concept of managed risk within the guidelines set forth by BSA and local council policy. The Council Executive Board sets local policy. The Scout Executive will interpret BSA policy when guidance is not clear.
The following information is intended to be used as an aid to Scouters in all BSA programs:
Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Learning For Life.

HEALTH SAFETY

Guide to Safety Scouting (Printable Version)
Guide to Safety Scouting (Online Version)

RISK MANAGEMENT

Insurance for Volunteers

INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR VOLUNTEERS

Listed below are brief outlines of insurance coverage’s provided by or through the Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America:

COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

This coverage provides primary general liability coverage for registered volunteer Scouters with respect to claims arising out of an official Scouting activity with the exception that the coverage is excess over any insurance which may be available to the volunteer for loss arising from the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle or watercraft. This insurance is only available while the vehicle or watercraft is in the actual use of a Scouting unit and being used for a Scouting purpose. Coverage is more than $15 million for bodily injury and property damage. Because of the high limits, volunteers should NOT be placed in a position where their assets are jeopardized because of a negligence liability claim or lawsuit. The insurance provided unregistered Scouting volunteers through the BSA general liability insurance program is excess over any other insurance the volunteer might have to his or her benefit, usually a homeowner’s, personal liability, or auto liability policy. There is no coverage for those who commit intentional or criminal acts.

AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY INSURANCE

All vehicles MUST be covered by a liability insurance policy. The amount of this coverage must meet or exceed the insurance requirement of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. (It is recommended, however, that the coverage limits are at least $50,000/$100,000/$50,000). Any vehicle carrying ten (10) or more passengers is required to have limits of $100,000/$500,000/$100,000 or $500,000 single limit. In case of rented vehicles the requirement of coverage limits can be met by combining limits of personal coverage carried by the driver with coverage carried by the owner of the rented vehicle. All vehicles used in travel outside the United States must carry a liability insurance policy that complies with or exceeds the requirements of that country. The council’s automobile liability insurance is excess of the insurance the owner of the auto carries, providing insurance protection abovethe limits carried o­n the auto up to the council’s $15 million limit of coverage.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TOUR PERMITS

A Local Tour Permit Application must be completed and filed with the Council Service Center for trips of less than 500 miles when units travel overnight or outside the Council territory. If the destination is 500 miles or more o­ne way or outside the U.S.A., use the National Tour Permit Application. These permits should list the driver’s names and limits of automobile liability insurance carried. Most short, in town trips of a few hours do not require a tour permit; however, it is recommended that units obtain permission slips from parents.
Local Tour Permit (34426) National Tour Permit (4419)

COUNCIL ACCIDENT & SICKNESS INSURANCE PLAN

This Accident and Sickness Insurance is provided for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and adult volunteer leaders registered in the council, and covers them for accidents and sickness (as well as accidental death and dismemberment) while participating in any official Scouting activity. This coverage is applied for by the council and is in effect o­n an annual basis. The cost remains at $1.00 per youth member, paid with Charter Renewal. All new youth and adults added after Charter Renewal are automatically covered at no additional charge. (LDS units have separate coverage provided through their church.) Additional information o­n coverage, limits, etc., may be obtained by contacting the Council Service Center at 409-744-5206.

PLEASE REPORT ALL SERIOUS INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS, OR IF A SUMMONS IS SERVED o­n A VOLUNTEER, TO THE SCOUT EXECUTIVE, 409-744-5206