Boy Scouts of America

Prohibited Activities FAQs

Additional FAQ’s: General Health and Safety,  Annual Health and Medical Record, Shooting Sports program, Family Scouting Information

These FAQs are provided to explain the “why” behind the updates to the prohibited activities list. Please do not put participants or yourself at risk by permitting any of these activities in the name of Scouting.

A. Since the Guide to Safe Scouting was introduced in 1991, it has had a listing of activities that are prohibited as part of Scouting. The list has grown over the years to include 19 topics, and your feedback and questions have shown the need to not only revisit the content but also to deliver it in a clearer and more simple manner.

This version moves prohibited activities that are similar in nature into one area—such as shooting and throwing sports, the use of fire-starting accelerants and tent heaters, and extreme or action sports for which there is no specific program. The new structure is based on comments from participants and leaders, and experience with extreme sports and activities as they have evolved. This version also notes exceptions to a few of the prohibitions, provided the activities take place at BSA national high-adventure bases or at facilities that meet alternate guidelines or standards.

We have also looked at the root causes of incidents, injuries, and claims affecting our Scouting family and the general liability insurance program. We found that undermining the integrity of BSA program delivery—not delivering the program as designed or contained in our literature—was a factor in several serious and even fatal incidents. Therefore, language has been added to remind leaders that noncompliance or inconsistent adherence with published restrictions is prohibited.  

A. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The BSA has four aims: character development, citizenship training, leadership, and mental and physical fitness. A vast number of approved and incredibly fun Scouting programs and activities are available to fulfill Scouting’s aims while not putting our Scouts or Scouters at unnecessary risk. 

A. Falls are a leading cause of injury to members of our Scouting family and one of the top five claims against the general liability insurance program. Technical tree-climbing has been prohibited for more than a decade, due primarily to not being able to safely belay participants. Tree climbing has no belay; thus, it is prohibited. This is mainly a clarification rather than a new prohibition.

A. The national high-adventure bases are often used to test future outdoor programming. In addition, we know these tests have had qualified and trained leadership, and diligent reviews that include hazard analysis. 

A. No. It means that the Scouting program does not exist to supply programming or insurance coverage to organizations that seek a charter only for a competitive sport. Our experience and the industry data have shown that this is a hazardous activity and risk, and it should not be a part of Scouting. 

A. Dodgeball has never been an authorized activity in Scouting. Games and sports that involve participants throwing objects at each other, including dodgeball, have caused concussions and traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and ankle injuries. There is also an aspect of bullying in the game, which has led to its removal from other youth-serving organizations. We are monitoring the results of gaga ball; at this time, we consider gaga ball appropriate if the activity is set up, monitored, and supervised following manufacturers’ guidelines. 

A. There are inhalation risks and of the risk of spreading communicable diseases.

A. No boomerang program exists that meets the aims of Scouting. 

A. No. This program does not meet the aims of Scouting.

A. The line should never be more than 3 feet high. For additional information, visit www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss08/ 

A. While trampoline activities are possible at commercial facilities that meet or exceed current ASTM standard F2970-15, dodgeball has never been an authorized BSA activity, and it cannot be done anywhere in conjunction with Scouting, including at a trampoline facility. 

A. Scouting does not require exposing youth to any hazardous occupation, as identified by federal labor regulations. If youth would like to learn skilled trades, we encourage them to check out the Exploring program of our affiliate, Learning for Life.  

A. No. The list is not comprehensive, but it serves as a definitive list of prohibited activities, and it offers a broad sense of what is not allowed as a Scouting activity.  Please review and become familiar with program materials published by the BSA. 

A. While various state laws have authorized individuals to legally carry or conceal firearms, Scouters are NOT allowed to carry them while involved in Scouting activities outside of the shooting sports program. This applies to all persons involved in an activity, as the activity should be under the control of a Scouter. This prohibition is not new and has not changed. Guide to Safe Scouting 

A. No, shallow cat holes for waste disposal following program material guidance are not prohibited.

A. Work below grade that includes trenching or excavations is not appropriate for service projects. Below grade work such as shallow foundations, post holes, or trail work is appropriate if using hand tools for youth (i.e., non-powered tools), provided all underground utilities are clear of the area. 

A. No. Maintenance, trenching and excavation work that is following local, state and federal safety standards applicable to those needs is not prohibited.

A. The BSA periodically reviews its programs and program offerings to stay relevant and meet the needs of the participants. This evaluation, performed by the National Shooting Sports and Safe Scouting Committees and national staff, was a part of that program review process.

Previous guidelines for cannon use by a local council required meeting the standards for the American Artillery Association. Currently, the American Artillery Association’s guidelines are for reenactment style activities and not for use in a “ceremony” as previously allowed in the BSA, now prohibited. 

Injuries, including severe and even fatal, coupled with continued documented improper use within camps contributed to this prohibition. A few examples of recent improper use included inappropriate cannon locations on ranges and within campsites, reports of cannon use causing PTSD and other health related reactions and observed improper or inadequate personal protective equipment “PPE” use.

Finally, the quantities of black powder needed to utilize a cannon creates storage and handling risks we cannot reconcile for an activity that is not necessary to deliver the Scouting program. This particular risk was reviewed as part of a FACE report you can review here.

A. No.  Black powder rifles used as a salute is prohibited.  Black Powder rifle use is approved as a BSA activity on an approved range following the guidelines outlined in the BSA Shooting Sports manual, appropriate NCAP standards, and under proper supervision.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.