Parents

Activity & Camping Permission Form

Adult Volunteer Background Check Information

More and more, organizations that have adult volunteers who have direct contact with, and/or supervision of, children under the age of 18, are required to complete child welfare and criminal background checks. School districts, youth sports organizations, and scout troops are just a few of the many organizations who are implementing these policies. As part of maintaining our troop’s charter, and to stay compliant with Pennsylvania Act 153, certain adult volunteers need to file background check or waiver documentation. If you volunteer for other organizations, and have completed some or all of the background checks outlined below within the past five years, you can submit those documents to fulfill the troop’s requirements.

There are a few scenarios that you might fall under:

Scenario 1:

You are a registered leader or volunteer who does not have contact with youth where you are providing care or supervision for their safety. This includes roles a committee member or chartered organization representative. Adults in this category must complete a Waiver of PA Background Checks, and submit it to Chester County Council:

http://cccbsa.org/images/pdfs/Waiver%20-%20State%20Mandated%20Background%20Checks.pdf

Scenario 2:

You are a registered leader or volunteer who does have direct contact with youth where they are providing care or supervision for their safety. This person could include Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Merit Badge Counselors, or adults who volunteer to assist on camping trips or other troop outings where they have responsibility for the care of scouts. Adults in this category must complete the following:

· Child Welfare Check: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/Public/Home

· PA State Police Background Check: https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp

Additionally, if you have lived in the state of Pennsylvania for over 10 years, you may submit a waiver form to forgo an FBI Fingerprinting background check. The waiver can be found here:

http://cccbsa.org/images/pdfs/CCCBSA%20DISCLOSURE%20STATEMENT%20for%20VOLUNTEERS%20in%20place%20of%20FBI%20Clearance.pdf

Scenario 3:

If you volunteer as described in Scenario 2, but have not lived in Pennsylvania for more than 10 years, in addition to the Child Welfare Check and PA State Police Background Check, you must undergo an FBI Fingerprinting Check: https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm

Submitting Your Paperwork

All volunteers who fall under Scenarios 1, 2, or 3 must submit their respective completed background check paperwork with Chester County Council. Options for submitting these checks can be found here:

http://cccbsa.org/submitting

· If you were a Scout volunteer prior to August 25, 2015, you have until July 1, 2016 to complete the checks and submit the documentation.

· If you started to volunteer with the troop after August 25, 2015, you must complete the necessary background checks before working directly with scouts.

Keep in mind that while the process is typically timely, there can be delays in processing some paperwork, and some lead time should be planned for prior to any volunteering commitments.

Chester County Council maintains up-to-date information regarding Act 153 on-line, and can be found at www.cccbsa.org/safety. There is also a list of Frequently Asked Questions which can be found at http://cccbsa.org/act153faq

Thank you for your willingness to volunteer for Troop 21, and helping to ensure the safety of our scout membership!

Troop 21 “Opt Out” Photo Policy

Boy Scout Troop 21 of East Goshen, PA occasionally takes pictures at weekly meetings and weekend outings to showcase the troop on its website, Facebook page, and other promotional materials. These pictures include active scouts in Troop 21, as well as adult leaders, with the intention of positively promoting the fun and benefits that can be gained from participating in Scouting.

All photos and images are reviewed by a member of the troop’s adult committee before being posted in a public forum.

The troop has adopted an “Opt Out” Photo Policy:

· If you do not wish your child’s photograph(s) to be include on our website, Facebook page, or other promotional materials, please complete the attached and return it to the troop’s Scoutmaster.

· If your child’s photograph can be used, no action is required on your part.

Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns about the troop’s Opt Out policy with the Scoutmaster and/or the adult committee member webmaster.

Troop 21 Photo Opt Out Form.pdf