Scout units planning trips are required to file an
application for a tour permit with their local council office.
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.
Because it protects you personally and other participating
leaders personally in the event that something goes wrong by providing
certain limited insurance coverage.
The council office knows where to contact unit members
in case of emergencies.
Because they help ensure that your planned activity
is appropriate to your Scouting aged youth.
Because they are used to help determine the outstanding
units in your district at the end of the year.
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.
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.
Need to complete the Youth
Protection Training?
Do the training on line. Click on the graphic below
to start the training.
Age Appropriate Activities
Not sure which activities are appropriate for your age Scouts?
Check out the guidelines B.S.A. has put together to help you.
You will enforce reasonable travel speed in accordance with state
and local laws in all motor vehicles.
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
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.
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.
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.
We will be certain that fires are attended at all times.
We will apply for a fire permit from local authorities in all areas
where it is required.
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.
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.
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.
We will not deface trees, restrooms, or other objects with initials
or writing.
We will respect the property of others and will not trespass.
We will not cut standing trees or shrubs without specific permission
from the land-owner or manager.
We will collect only souvenirs that are gifts to us or that we purchase.
We will pay our own way and not expect concessions or entertainment
from any individual or group.
We will provide every member of our party an opportunity to attend
religious services on the Sabbath.
We will observe the courtesy to write thank-you notes to persons who
assisted us on our trip.
We will, in case of backcountry expedition, read and abide by the
Wilderness Use Policy of the BSA.
We will notify, in case of serious trouble, our local council service
center, our parents, or other local contact.
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
A National Tour Permit is required for all groups traveling to areas
500 miles or more one way from home area (local council camp excepted),
or crossing national boundaries into the territory of other nations. This
application should be submitted, typed or printed, to the local council
service center for approval at least one month before your tour. Then the
council service center will forward it to the regional service center for
further approval. It is essential that you read Tours and Expeditions,
No. 33737C, before filling out this form. For trips and overnight camps
less than 500 miles one way, use Local Tour Permit Application, No. 34426B.
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.
Need to complete the Youth
Protection Training?
Do the training on line. Click on the graphic below to
start the training.
PDF
Version - print on legal (8.5 x 14) size paper
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
PDF
Version - print on legal (8.5 x 14) size paper
For content comments or questions, contact the Greater
Yosemite Council at 209-545-6320