Safety Moment – July 1, 2023

♦ Q: I am an adult attending a pack, troop, crew, or ship overnight activity, do I have to be registered?

1. Yes, if you participate/stay overnight, you must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or as an adult program participant. Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in and be approved by their charter partner where applicable.

For example, a parent attending a Scouts BSA campout could register as a committee member, unit Scouter reserve, Assistant Scoutmaster etc, depending on their unit role. Adults may select from the list in the FAQ below of adult leader position options provided in the “Registration Guidebook of the Boy Scouts of America” that is available for their unit type.

 Also, see Cub Scout Exception for parents or legal guardians. 

♦ Q: I am an adult attending a district or council overnight activity, do I have to be registered?

1. Yes, if you participate/stay overnight, you must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant. Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in.

For example, an adult volunteer attending an overnight Order of the Arrow event must be registered in a unit, district, or council position. Adults may select from the list in the FAQ below of adult leader position options provided in the “Registration Guidebook of the Boy Scouts of America” that is available for their unit, district or council position. Registration as a merit badge counselor does not meet this requirement.

♦ Q: What position should I register in to stay/participate in overnight programs?

1. Adults may select from the list below of adult leader position options provided in the “Registration Guidebook of the Boy Scouts of America” that is available for their unit, district or council position. Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in.  Adults registering in a unit position must be accepted and approved by the head of the chartered organization or the chartered organization representative.

♦ Q: Why does registration as a merit badge counselor not meet the registration requirement to participate/stay overnight?

1. A merit badge counselor is an important position supporting Scouts BSA units; however, a merit badge counselor is not a unit position nor does their district/council role require overnight participation.

Merit badge counselors may select from the list of adult leader position options provided in the “Registration Guidebook of the Boy Scouts of America” that is available for another role they serve in within their unit, district or council to stay/participate in overnight Scouting events and activities.

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