News, Notes & Items of Interest
The Fire Island Lighthouse
at the National Seashore offers special Scout Tours.
For
details click here
Tour Permits and Youth Protection
Effective January 2003 both the local tour permit and the national tour permit
application will include a requirement that at least one adult present during
the event or activity must have completed the BSA Youth Protection Training. The
national tour permit will continue to include the requirement that all
registered adults must have completed the BSA Youth Protection Training for
participation in a nationally sponsored event or activity.
National tour permit applications are required to be submitted for tours or trips 500 miles or over, one way. For tours and trips outside of Suffolk County under 500 miles one-way, a local tour is required. Most short, in-town den trips for a few hours do not require a tour permit; however, it is recommended that dens obtain permission slips from parents.
Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference
The Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference who have built and maintain approximately 150 miles of hiking rails on Long Island, including the Nassau-Suffolk, Walt Whitman, LI Greenbelt and the Pine Barrens Trail, now have patches available for those that hike each of these trails.
| For
details and information contact them at: |
Long
Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, 23 Deer Path Road Central Islip, NY 11722-0753 631-360-0753 - - - E-mail: ligreenbelt@juno.com |
LEAVE NO TRACE
The Boy Scouts of America has introduced a new course entitled "Teaching Leave No Trace". Teaching Leave No Trace contains a series of quick concepts (15 to 30 minutes each) and activities (45 to 75 minutes each) that are designed to teach the principles of Lave No Trace. These activities could be used at summer camp for Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venturers, or in conjunction with district or council camporees. Teaching "Leave No Trace" has been put on the BSA Web site (click here).
In addition, the Boy Scouts of America has joined with Leave No Trace, Inc. to offer Leave No Trace trainer courses – a minimum of two days with an overnight camping experience. Leave No Trace Inc. will supply the curriculum and materials for the course, which must be taught by a Leave No Trace Master. Contact Leave No Trace Inc. by telephone at 800-332-4100 or through its Web site, http://www.LNT.org, to identify qualified Leave No Trace Masters in your area.
The seven principles of Leave No Trace have been endorsed by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, many state agencies, and other organizations, as well as the Boy Scouts of America. Training youth and adults in Leave No Trace is a unified national effort.
General Liability Insurance Provided for Scouting Volunteers
In an unprecedented action among volunteer organizations and activities, the Boy Scouts of America now provides primary Comprehensive General Liability Insurance for all registered Scouting volunteers. This new policy became effective March 1, 2001.
This coverage provides protection for the council, all Scouting professionals and employees, Scouting units, chartered organizations, and volunteer Scouters with respect to claims arising in the performance of their duties. Coverage is more than $15 million for bodily injury and property damage. There is no coverage for those who commit intentional or criminal acts.
This primary liability coverage for all volunteers is rare among charitable organizations. Previously, the BSA volunteer liability coverage was in excess of their homeowners' or auto liability policy. With this new coverage, volunteers should NOT be placed in a position where their assets are jeopardized because of a negligence liability claim or lawsuit.
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© 2000 - 2008 Suffolk County Council, Boy Scouts of America |