BSA has instituted rigorous Youth Protection protocols to protect Scouting youth. Indeed, the Guide to Safe Scouting includes a section titled “Barriers to Abuse.” See, also, this BSA statement on Youth Protection.
However, a unit leader must view the term “youth protection” in a sense broader than merely “abuse”, either by an adult, or youth-to-youth. The term “youth protection” should be viewed to include outdoor risk management considerations, consistent with the BSA Scouter Code of Conduct, which states “I will make the protection of youth a personal priority”, referencing the Guide to Safe Scouting, Youth Protection guidelines, and BSA S.A.F.E..
Scouting’s youth are best “protected” by following, and adherence to, BSA’s policies and guidelines, not only its anti-abuse youth protection policies, but also those policies and guidelines intended to minimize risk and keep youth safe during the conduct of Scouting’s outdoor program activities, as set forth in the Scouter Code of Conduct, and the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Safe Scouting!