1. Because tour permits help keep our children safe!
2. Scout units planning trips are required to file an application for a tour permit with their local council office.
3. Because tour permits help guide your unit through the required training, planning and resources necessary to provide your Scouts with a safely conducted and well planned enjoyable activity.
4. Because it protects you personally and other participating leaders personally in the event that something goes wrong by providing certain limited insurance coverage.
5. The council office knows where to contact unit members in case of emergencies.
6. Because they help ensure that your planned activity is appropriate to your Scouting aged youth.
7. Because they are used to help determine the outstanding units in your district at the end of the year.
8. Officials in state and federal parks are assured that touring and camping Scout groups have official BSA status. (Some locations may require a tour permit for entry.)

Guide to Safe Scouting & Tours and Permits

Two great publications of reference material for Scouting outings: Guide to Safe Scouting and Tours & Expeditions.

You are required to have in your possession, and have read the Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416B, for both the Local and National Tour Permits.

If a unit plans a trip within 500 miles of the home base, it is important that the unit obtain a local tour permit. Trips of 500 miles or more one way from home or that cross national boundaries and enter into the territory of other nations require a National Tour Permit Application (No. 4419), to be approved by both the local council and the BSA regional service center.

Tour permits have become recognized by national parks, military institutions, and other organizations as proof that a unit activity has been well planned and organized and is under capable and qualified leadership. These organizations may require the tour permit for entry.

The BSA publication Tours and Expeditions (No. 33737C) is recommended reading for leaders before filling out a tour permit application. It covers in detail the key steps for planning and organizing trips, necessary equipment, health and safety concerns (including transportation), and where to find additional information.

BSA Wilderness Use Policy

If you are going on a backcountry trip, you need to know the BSA Wilderness Use Policy. Here is a copy.

Wilderness Use Policy of the BSA

Youth Protection Requirements

• At least one registered adult who has completed BSA Youth Protection Training must be present at all other events and activities that require a tour permit.
• All registered adults participating in any nationally conducted event or activity must have completed the BSA Youth Protection Training.

  We will need a copy of their card or they need to have their training on record in our computer.

Age Appropriate Activities

Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities

Transportation Guidelines

1. You will enforce reasonable travel speed in accordance with state and local laws in all motor vehicles.
2. If by motor vehicle:
• Driver Qualifications: All drivers must have a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years of age. Youth Member Exception: When traveling to an area, regional, or national Boy Scout activity or any Venturing event under the leadership of an adult (21+) tour leader, a youth member at least 16 years of age may be a driver, subject to the following conditions: (1) Six months' driving experience as a licensed driver (time on a learner's permit or equivalent is not to be counted); (2) no record of accidents or moving violations; (3) parental permission has been granted to leader, driver, and riders.
• If the vehicle to be used is designed to carry more than 15 persons (including driver) the driver must have a commercial driver's license (CDL).
• Driving time is limited to a maximum of 10 hours and must be interrupted by frequent rest, food, and recreation stops.
  Seat belts are provided, and must be used, by all passengers and driver. Exception: A school or commercial bus.

Pledge of Performance

1. We will use the Safe Swim Defense in any swimming activity, Safety Afloat in all craft activity on the water, and Climb On Safely for climbing activity.
2. We will use trucks only for transporting equipment—no passengers except in the cab. All passenger cars, station wagons, recreational vehicles, and cabs of trucks will have a seat belt for each passenger.
3. We agree to enforce reasonable travel speed (in accordance with national, state, and local laws) and use only vehicles that are in safe mechanical condition.
4. We will be certain that fires are attended at all times.
5. We will apply for a fire permit from local authorities in all areas where it is required.
6. We will at all times be a credit to the Boy Scouts of America and will not tolerate rowdyism or un-Scoutlike conduct, keeping a constant check on all members of our group.
7. We will maintain high standards of personal cleanliness and orderliness and will operate a clean and sanitary camp, leaving it in a better condition than we found it.
8. We will not litter or bury any trash, garbage, or tin cans. All rubbish that cannot be burned will be placed in a tote-litter bag and taken to the nearest recognized trash disposal or all the way home, if necessary.
9. We will not deface trees, restrooms, or other objects with initials or writing.
10. We will respect the property of others and will not trespass.
11. We will not cut standing trees or shrubs without specific permission from the land-owner or manager.
12. We will collect only souvenirs that are gifts to us or that we purchase.
13. We will pay our own way and not expect concessions or entertainment from any individual or group.
14. We will provide every member of our party an opportunity to attend religious services on the Sabbath.
15. We will observe the courtesy to write thank-you notes to persons who assisted us on our trip.
16. We will, in case of backcountry expedition, read and abide by the Wilderness Use Policy of the BSA.
17. We will notify, in case of serious trouble, our local council service center, our parents, or other local contact.
18. If more than one vehicle is used to transport our group, we will establish rendezvous points at the start of each day and not attempt to have drivers closely follow the group vehicle in front of them.

Tour Permit Helpful Reminders

• Please submit tour permits at least two weeks before the outing. We need time to process the permits because missing information, incorrect information or missing certifications slows down processing time.
• Please remember to get all the required signatures (tour leader, member of the committee, & signature on the Guide to Safe Scouting line). The Tour Permits requires the tour leader to sign, attesting to the truth of this statement: "I have in my possession a copy of Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416B, and have read it.
• Leadership and personnel: Boy Scouts of America policy requires at least two adult leaders on all camping trips and tours. Coed Venturing crews must have both male and female leadership. The adult leader in charge of this group must be at least 21 years old.
• The number of youth & adults needs to be included on the tour permit.
• All the information on the drivers and vehicles including the number of seats in each vehicle needs to be accurately filled out.
• The type of unit (pack, troop, team, crew or ship) as well as the unit number & district should be included.
• Any activity that requires certification should have current copies of the cards attached to the tour permit.

  • Swimming needs 1 Safe Swim Defense card.
  • Boating needs 1 Safe Swim Defense, 1 card per 10 people of Safety Afloat, & 1 CPR.
  • A qualified rock climbing instructor who is at least 21 years of age must supervise all BSA climbing/rappelling activities and units with more than 10 youth in the same climbing/rappelling session must have an additional adult leader at least 18 yrs of age for each group of 10 youth.
  • Archery & Firearms need a copy of the instructor’s certification.
  • For treks that extend over three days and go above 7000 feet, the trek leader must have completed the HAT Basic Backpack Awareness course.
• Boy Scouts of America requires at least one adult going on the trip to be Youth Protection Trained on a Local Tour Permit. We will need a copy of their card or they need to have their training on record in our computer.
• If you fax in a tour permit (Fax number: 209-545-6321 Scout Service Center, Modesto CA), please make sure you put a return fax number somewhere on your permit.

National Tour Permit Application

Need to complete the Youth Protection Training?
Do the training on line. Click on the graphic below to start the training.

National Tour Permit Application

Local Tour Permit Application

This application must be filed with local council service center two weeks in advance of scheduled activity for proper clearance. It is used for trips of less than 500 miles. If destination is 500 miles or more one way or outside the U.S.A. (local council camp excepted), use National Tour Permit Application, No. 4419B. If backcountry trip, be sure to know Wilderness Use Policy of the BSA.

Local Tour Permit Application

For content comments or questions, contact the Greater Yosemite Council at 209-545-6320