Scouting America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them. Objectives of the Enterprise Risk Management programs are to educate the adult leadership in the available programs through training courses online as well as in a classroom setting. Information is also available in the Guide to Safe Scouting and on the BSA Scouting Safely website.
BSA Scouting Safely Training Site | Bullying Prevention | Climb on Safely | CyberChip
First Aid | Hazardous Weather | Safe Swim Defense | Safety Afloat
Trek Safely | Youth Protection Training
The values of Scouting make it clear that bullying cannot be tolerated. Scouting leaders have a unique opportunity to teach respect and acceptance of others. These simple presentations created by the BSA in conjunction with the US Department of Health and Human Services can be used by individuals, or in a group setting, to help our members and families learn more about preventing bullying in Scouting.
Climb On Safely is Scouting America’s procedure for organizing BSA climbing/rappelling activities at a natural site or a specifically designed facility, such as a climbing wall or tower. All unit-sponsored/planned climbing activities, regardless of where they are held, fall under Climb On Safely. This applies to a single unit or multiple units, that may be participating in a joint unit climbing activity.
There is inherent risk in climbing and rappelling. With proper management, that risk can be minimized. Leaders should be aware that Climb On Safely is an orientation only, and does not constitute training on how to climb or rappel. Climb on Safely training may be obtained from the BSA Online Learning Center at www.my.scouting.org.
Today's youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, Scouting America introduces the Cyber Chip. In developing this exciting new tool, the BSA teamed up with content expert NetSmartz®, part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® and training expert for many law enforcement agencies.
First Aid Training
The council offers are a variety of first aid training courses throughout the year. The American Red Cross (ARC) and Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) First Aid, CPR, AED and WFA courses meet the BSA training requirements.
First Aid/CPR/AED: Would you know what to do in a cardiac, breathing or first aid emergency? The right answer could help you save a life. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, our First Aid/CPR/AED courses give you the skills to save a life. First Aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) training are universally recognized for its effectiveness. It can help ensure that everyone working on a First Aid Merit Badge to a Scouter leading a unit on a high-adventure trek is fully prepared. Find the next scheduled course.
First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Course: This course will train instructor candidates to teach basic-level American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED courses. This is a blended learning course consisting of online content, a pre-course skill session and classroom segments. Prerequisites: Possess a current basic-level American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certification or equivalent and be at least 16 years of age on the last day of the instructor course. Complete online classes prior to attending the classroom activities (instructions will be sent with registration confirmation). Find the next scheduled course.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is the assessment of and treatment given to an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. During the 16-hour course, participants will learn how to assess, treat, and (when possible) contain emergencies within the scope of their training. Current certification in an adult CPR course and completion of AED training are prerequisites. Participants must be at least 14 years old or a registered Venturer. Find the next scheduled course.
Hazardous Weather
Hazardous Weather presents safety precautions for eight different types of weather, as well as planning, preparation, and traditional weather signs. Participants answer questions about the topics after each section. Completion is noted automatically in the BSA training records database if the module is experienced online. Hazardous Weather training is taken online at www.my.scouting.org. Estimated time to complete: 40 minutes.
BSA groups shall use Safe Swim Defense for all swimming activities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous two years. Safe Swim Defense standards apply at backyard, hotel, apartment, and public pools; at established waterfront swim areas, such as beaches, at state parks and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes; and at all temporary swimming areas such as a lake, river, or ocean. Safe Swim Defense does not apply to boating or water activities, such as waterskiing or swamped boat drills, that are covered by Safety Afloat guidelines. Safe Swim Defense applies to other nonswimming activities whenever participants enter water over knee deep, or when submersion is likely, for example, when fording a stream, seining for bait, or constructing a bridge as a pioneering project. Snorkeling in open water requires each participant to have demonstrated knowledge and skills equivalent to those for Snorkeling BSA, in addition to following Safe Swim Defense. Scuba activities must be conducted in accordance with the BSA Scuba policy found in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Because of concerns with hyperventilation, competitive underwater swimming events are not permitted in Scouting.
Safe Swim Defense training may be obtained from the BSA Online Learning Center at my.scouting.org.
BSA groups shall use Safety Afloat for all boating activities. Adult leaders supervising activities afloat must have completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two years. Cub Scout activities afloat are limited to council or district events that do not include moving water or float trips (expeditions). Safety Afloat standards apply to the use of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, floating tubes, sailboats, motorboats (including waterskiing), and other small craft, but do not apply to transportation on large commercial vessels, such as ferries and cruise ships. Parasailing (being towed airborne behind a boat using a parachute), kitesurfing (using a wakeboard towed by a kite), and recreational use of personal watercraft (small sit-on-top motorboats propelled by water jets) are not authorized BSA activities.
Safety Afloat training may be obtained from the BSA Online Learning Center at my.scouting.org. Additional guidance on appropriate skill levels and training resources is provided in the Aquatics Supervision guide available from council service centers.
Trek Safely is designed to help Scouting groups be fully prepared for a backcountry trek. It will help each youth member and adult leader recognize situations that could develop, in which the group will have to adjust its schedule or route, or even make camp for the night because of weather circumstances or an injured or ill crew member. Crews that address possible scenarios in advance are less likely to be surprised on the trail. Contingency planning is critical to the success of every trip. Trek Safely may be obtained from the BSA Online Learning Center at my.scouting.org.
Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required for all new registered leaders, and must be retaken every two years to maintain registration. YPT is designed to keep our youth safe from abuse. Participants learn Scouting America's Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. Every registered leader must take Youth Protection Training from the BSA Online Learning Center at my.scouting.org. A login is required, but anyone may create a user account and view the courses. Registered members of the BSA may provide their member numbers (as part of the user profile) to receive credit. Venturing Leaders must take YPT online.
The safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable, beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid.
These courses and many others can be taken online at www.my.scouting.org.
Create an account - this can be done with or without your BSA membership ID.- If you enter your membership ID, your training records will be updated at the council office.
- If you are not yet registered, you can still take training. Just print the certificate at the end of each course.
- After your account is created, you will receive an email with a link. Click the link to activate your my.scouting.org account. This must be done before you can log in. If you do not receive an email, check your spam/junk folder.
- Once you log in to my.scouting.org, click E-Learning on the left side. Trainings are listed under tabs (Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and General).
- Submit your certificate of completion to your district training chair.
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