MANUAL

CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHILD:SCOUTER RATIOS FOR
SCOUTS CANADA
All Sections follow the Two-
Scouter Rule. Section-specific
ratios are in place to ensure youth
receive the appropriate supervision
for their respective age groups.
They are as follows:
• 5 Beaver Scouts to 1 Scouter
• 6 Cub Scouts to 1 Scouter
• While Scouter supervision
is not always required for
Venturer Scouts, when Scouters
are present they must follow
the Two-Scouter Rule.
• To count toward ratio, Scouters
must have completed Wood
Badge I for their Section.
Details for Section Scouter team
requirements can be found under
BP&P, Section 4008.
Scouts Canada requires reporting of the following types of incidents:
1. Abuse—Abuse of any kind, including bullying, sexual touching, physical abuse and
verbal abuse
2. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct
• Criminal activity
• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at a Scouting event
• Excessive swearing
3. Personal injury—Any personal injury or illness requiring medical attention
4. Equipment or property damage—Any damage over $500 to either Scouting or personal
equipment or property
The Incident Report Form can be found on Scouts.ca. Instructions for submitting a
complete Incident Report are located at the top of the form. Questions about the
Incident Report Form or process can be directed to safety@scouts.ca.
BY-LAW, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (BP&P)
All of the bylaws, policies and procedures for Scouts Canada as approved by the Board
of Governors can be found in the document entitled By-Law, Policies and Procedures.
This document can be found online at Scouts.ca. You will often hear it referred to by
the initials “BP&P”.
REMEMBER THE TWO-SCOUTER RULE!
In the Code of Conduct, Scouters make the commitment to never be alone with a
youth member, except in an emergency. The Two-Scouter Rule is the requirement
for two Scouters to be with youth at all times. Notwithstanding Section ratios, two
Scouters must be within the visual field and within earshot of one another when with
youth. The Two-Scouter Rule is an integral part of the Code of Conduct that applies to
all Scouts Canada Volunteers and staff.
RATIOS
For each Section, there are required ratios for Scouter to youth members. It is
important that these be maintained for all Scouting activities, whether in the meeting
hall, at a camp or visiting another facility. If the ratio cannot be met for a particular
meeting or outing, speak with your Group Commissioner to recruit other Scouters to
assist for that meeting or outing. Only registered Scouters count for the ratio.
REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
Scouts and Scouters have a collective responsibility to ensure the safety of children
and youth involved in Scouting as well as a responsibility to protect its members
from bullying and all forms of child abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional. All
complaints of physical or sexual abuse must be reported immediately to the child
protection authorities and the police in your jurisdiction. Additionally, all complaints
of risk of physical, sexual or emotional abuse must be reported to the local child
protection authorities. Failure to do so may result in suspension from the Scouting
program and criminal charges under provincial child protection legislation. If a Scouter
is uncertain about circumstances, it is prudent to consult with local authorities.
In addition to informing police, Scouts Canada also asks that you report any instances
of abuse to your Council Executive Director or the Scouts Canada Help Centre by
calling 1-888-855-3336, or emailing helpcentre@scouts.ca. Anyone with reasonable
and probable grounds to believe that a child is being mistreated or is receiving
inadequate care and supervision is required to report such suspicions to the local child
protection authority. If you are uncertain about information, it is prudent to consult
with local child protection authorities. Please follow Scouts Canada Policies for reporting
abuse: Scouts Canada “Child Abuse Prevention Policy” (BP&P, Section 7002).
If you suspect an instance of child abuse or neglect, follow the steps outlined in
the Scouts Canada online training session, “How Scouting helps you deliver a safe
program”. This is Session 5 of Scouting Fundamentals.
VOLUNTEER SCREENING POLICY
Scouts Canada’s screening policies and Scouter registration practices are designed
to clearly demonstrate our commitment to keeping our youth members safe from
harm at all times. As a Scouter, your commitment of time, energy and enthusiasm will
touch the lives of many of our thousands of youth members across Canada. Because
of the important role our Scouters play in providing a safe and enriching environment
for developing youth, Scouts Canada is committed to providing the highest level of
support. This means setting clear expectations so that you know what you are getting
yourself into.
66 SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH 67