IMPORTANT UPDATES - JUNE 2025:

Youth Protection Training (YPT) is now SYT – Safeguarding Youth Training!

Scouting America's most essential training has a brand-new name and a fresh new look. What was previously known as Youth Protection Training (YPT) is now called Safeguarding Youth Training.

  • Greater focus on Scouting’s SAFE initiative

  • Updated insights on technology and online threats

  • Features real volunteers in real Scouting environments

New Course Details:

  • Duration: ~90 minutes

  • Requirements: Complete all lessons + score 80% or higher on the final test

Annual Refresher:

  • After completing the full course once, a 15-minute refresher and retest is required each year to stay current.

Transition from Previous YPT:

  • If you’ve already completed Youth Protection Training (YPT), your certification remains valid.

UPDATE from Glen Pounder - If you took the prior YPT training, expiration is "One year from when the new training launched - at the latest.

Links for required trainings can be found below.

Scouting - Youth Protection Mission Statement

True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within Scouting America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, territory, council, district, and unit levels. 

Leadership Selection

Scouting takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in Scouting America is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members call for high-quality adult leaders.

The adult application requests background information that should be checked by the unit committee or the chartered organization before accepting an applicant for unit leadership. While no current screening techniques exist that can identify every potential child abuser, we can reduce the risk of accepting a child abuser by learning all we can about an applicant for a leadership position—his or her experience with children, why he or she wants to be a Scout leader, and what discipline techniques he or she would use.

Scouting America has a multilayered adult leader selection process that includes criminal background checks administered by a nationally recognized third party and other screening efforts. Click here for information on the selection process.

Required Training For All

Adults and Leaders

Diocese Youth Protection (Safe Environment Training)

All adults (18 years of age or older) that are apart of the troop must have completed their Diocese Youth Protection training before they can participate in St. Vincent Scouting. Information regarding that training may be found below.

Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT)

Safeguarding Youth training (SYT) is required for all Scouting America registered volunteers and is a joining requirement. Safeguarding Youth training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered. Information regarding that training may be found below.