New Latter Day Saints Scouting Handbook

A new handbook for Church units in the United States has been issued.  It is here:

For some changes, click the link below

1.1   Added “Scouting activities should be planned to fulfill gospel-centered purposes.”

3.2  Section on Stake High Councilors . Changed from Stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee.

Added the text “These high councilors register with the BSA as assistant district commissioners. They receive appropriate BSA training, participate in the monthly district commissioner meetings, and work closely with the district commissioner and unit commissioners in their stake.”

6.0 Scouting in Primary

Added the text “Careful planning is necessary to ensure that activities accomplish gospel-centered purposes.”

Added the word “weekly” to “Scouting activities and meetings for Primary age boys are preferably held weekly in the daytime”

6.2 Scouting for 11-Year-Olds

Changed text to read “They are encouraged complete as many of the First Class rank requirements as possible before turning 12, with the exception of the requirement for six overnight camps.”

Changed First Class to Second Class “Eleven-year-old Scouts may participate in three one-night camps a year, which meets the camping requirements for advancement to the rank of Second Class.”

6.4 Leader of the Patrol of Eleven-Year-Old Scouts.

Added the responsibility to “Attend the ward Scouting committee meetings.”

6.5 Ward Primary Presidency

Added the responsibility to “Help leaders understand how Scouting can strengthen the family and accomplish the purposes of Primary”

8.8 Background Screening for BSA Adult Leaders

Added the text “A Scout leader should not be sustained or set apart until priesthood leaders ensure that the BSA has completed this process.”

8.9 Safety

Added the paragraph “Activities should be appropriate for the participants’ ages, ability, and maturity. Leaders and youth should have fitness levels appropriate for the activity, and individual medical risk factors should be carefully considered. Before holding an activity, leaders should instruct all participants in safety practices unique to the activity. Leaders and youth should know and abide by all laws and safety guidelines pertaining to the activity or property.”

8.10 Emergencies

Entire section added.

“Leaders should be prepared for emergencies that may occur and know in advance how to contact law enforcement and emergency services.”

8.11 Accident Response and Reporting

Entire section added.

“Leaders should notify the bishop and stake president promptly if an accident, illness, or injury occurs on Church property or during an official Scouting or Church-sponsored activity. If the accident involves a fatality or overnight hospital stay, leaders immediately notify the Risk Management Division at Church headquarters (telephone 1-801-240-4049 or 1-800-453-3860, extension 2-4049). Leaders should also notify the local BSA council.

For detailed guidelines on responding to accidents and reporting them, see Handbook 2, 13.6.20.”

8.12 Camping and Sabbath Day Observance

Changed text to specify Church-sponsored units  “As an exception, priesthood leaders may give approval for a Church-sponsored Scouting unit to participate in some BSA-sponsored national and regional jamborees that occur over the Sabbath.”

8.14 Travel

Added the paragraphs 

“When using private passenger vehicles, each driver should be a licensed, responsible adult. All vehicles and drivers should be covered by reasonable amounts of insurance.

Drivers should be instructed to obey all laws, to make sure their vehicle is in safe operating condition, and to ensure that each person properly uses a seat belt. Drivers should also be instructed not to drive if they are drowsy, not to use mobile phones while driving, and not to engage in other behaviors that would distract them.”

8.19 Specialty, Multiple-Unit, and Long-Term Camps.  Changed from “Specialty Programs and Stake Camps”

Added the paragraph:

“Stake or ward Scout camps that involve more than two units and that exceed three consecutive nights for Venturers and five consecutive nights for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts cannot be advertised as “Scout” camps unless they follow the BSA national camp standards and are authorized by the local council. If long-term camps do not qualify as authorized Scout camps, they will not be covered by BSA liability insurance. For long-term camping, use of BSA facilities is strongly recommended.”

8.20 Official Scouting Activities and Unauthorized Activities

Entire section added.

“An “official Scouting activity” is an activity that is consistent with the established programs, values, charter, bylaws, and rules and regulations of the BSA. The BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting provides important planning guidelines, along with a list of unauthorized and restricted activities. These activities are not considered official Scouting activities.

Volunteers (registered and unregistered), units, and chartered organizations will jeopardize insurance coverage for themselves and their organization if they engage in unauthorized activities. Leaders should not put themselves, others, or the Church at risk. (See the BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting, section X, “Insurance.”)”