YPT - Youth Camp Procedure for Adults (Texas Youth Camp Safety Act) Rev. 2 January 2007

On April 16, 2006, the state of Texas passed into law new regulations that affect the Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health Act. These new laws affect all licensed youth camps in the state of Texas, including Boy Scout summer camps and Cub Scout day camps. As a result, there is a change of policy for all leaders and adults attending any of the Bay Area Council long term camps such as summer camp, fall encampment, winter camp and day camps.  This new law applies to any camp lasting “MORE THAN FOUR HOURS OVER MORE THAN FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS”.

The following is a synopsis of the new laws in place that affect long term camp operations in Texas:

  1. The camp management shall have on file a record of any criminal conviction for all adult staff members and all adult volunteers working at the camp. (This includes adult leaders and parents attending camp with their Pack, Troop, or Crew as participants.)
  2. Records of criminal convictions and sex offender status may be obtained by an annual criminal background check and by performing an annual background check using a Sex Offender Registration database for each staff member's permanent residence and educational residence.
  3. Effective June 1, 2006, a youth camp licensee may not employ or accept the volunteer service of an individual for a position involving contact with campers at a youth camp unless youth camp has on file documentation that verifies the individual has successfully completed the training and examination program required by this subsection. (This includes adult leaders and parents attending camp with their Pack, Troop, or Crew as participants.)

As a result of these changes to Texas law, the following policies shall now be in affect for all adults coming as participants to Bay Area Council camps, whether as an adult camper or adult staff member.

All adults coming to participate at  council camps MUST be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. No exceptions. (Since registration with the BSA requires a criminal background check, this covers new rule # 1.)

All adults coming to camp must submit to and show the results of a background check through the Sex Offender Registration database. (This is done through a website and is conducted without charge. This covers rule change # 2.) Click here for background check search link.

All adults must show completion of the BSA ONLINE Youth Protection Training, with a date on the card showing April 16, 2006 or beyond. (This is the only approved course acceptable for showing compliance to rule #3.) All courses must be approved by the state, and this is the one that has been submitted for approval. NO OTHER YOUTH PROTECTION CLASSES TAKEN PRIOR TO APRIL 16TH CAN BE ACCEPTED. ONLY BSA ONLINE YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING TAKEN AFTER APRIL 16, 2006, CAN BE ACCEPTED.

As an aid in complying with these new rules, the Bay Area Council has put together an application that MUST be completed by EVERY adult coming to camp. The only exception to this rule is a person that comes to camp as a visitor, does not stay overnight, and stays no longer than a half day. Beyond that, ALL adults at camp (whether it is one day or all week) must complete this form and the steps indicated.

This can be assigned as a duty to a unit leader. That person can collect the forms, conduct the background check in the Sex Offender Registration database, collect YPT certification cards, and obtain a BSA copy of the unit roster showing all adults as registered in the Pack, Troop or Crew. This packet must then be submitted to camp management immediately upon arrival to camp.    For camp staff, it is the responsibility of the camp director to assure all staff members are in compliance.

The Scout Executive through his camp director is responsible for the proper compliance with this procedure.  The packet will be retained by camp management for two years.

3020 53rd Street ~ Galveston, Texas 77551-5917 ~ Phone: 409.744.5206 Fax: 409.744.7850