Is the guide really free?

Yes. Sign in with Google or LinkedIn and the PDF opens right away. Signing in doesn’t set up an organization, start a trial, or charge anything.

Can a VolunteerBadge check replace Scouting America’s background check?

No. If your unit is part of Scouting America — or Girl Scouts, 4-H or Boys & Girls Clubs — that organization’s required registration and screening process applies. VolunteerBadge is a strong fit for a chartered organization’s own youth programs, independent troops and clubs, and helpers outside national registration where your rules allow it.

How often do scout leaders need youth-protection training?

Scouting America now requires its Safeguarding Youth training every year; a volunteer whose training isn’t current at annual renewal isn’t re-registered. Some older Scouting America pages still describe a two-year cycle, so follow the current training page.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is general education. National organizations update their policies often and state laws vary — confirm current requirements with your council, national office, state and qualified counsel.

Free guide · 2026 edition · For troop, pack, club and 4-H leaders

Two Deep

A volunteer screening and youth-protection playbook for scout troops, youth clubs, 4-H and Boys & Girls Clubs

What national youth organizations and state laws require, the rules for overnights and trips, and who in your troop or club should be screened.

19 pages, written for troop, club and 4-H leaders
Scouting America, Girl Scouts, 4-H and BGCA requirements side by side
A policy checklist and a family letter you can copy
Every policy, statute and court record cited

Who this guide is for

Leaders of scout troops and packs, Girl Scout troops, 4-H clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs, independent youth clubs and faith-based youth groups — plus the chartered organizations, councils and boards that sponsor them. If your program takes young people to meetings, camp-outs and trips, this guide is written for you.

82,209

unique, timely abuse claims were filed in the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy.

3d Cir., May 13, 2025

registered adults at every activity is the rule in Scouting America (21+) and Girl Scouts (unrelated, one female).

National youth-protection policies

for a national, identity-verified check on volunteers a national organization’s process doesn’t cover.

VolunteerBadge pricing

From the executive summary

Six things every troop and club leader should know

1
National organizations set the floor.
If your unit belongs to one, its registration, check and training are required.
2
Two adults, no one-on-one.
The rule that runs through every national youth-protection policy — in person and online.
3
Training is annual now.
Scouting America’s Safeguarding Youth course is required every year to register.
4
State law can reach you directly.
Pennsylvania’s child-protection law expressly covers “a troop, club or similar organization.”
5
Overnights and trips carry the most risk.
Tents, restrooms, transport and nighttime need written rules.
6
Screen everyone the national process doesn’t cover.
Sponsor-organization volunteers, independent clubs and helpers outside registration.

What's inside

01
The short version
The whole case on one page.
02
Why troops and clubs need strong safeguards
The higher-risk moments the CDC names — and why troops have so many of them.
03
A hard lesson: the Boy Scouts bankruptcy
The court record, and what every youth organization can take from it.
04
Scouting America’s requirements
Registration, the background check, the screening database and annual training.
05
The barriers to abuse
Two adults, no one-on-one, digital contact, tents and restrooms.
06
Girl Scouts: two adults, every time
The two-adult rule and the adult-to-girl ratio tables.
07
4-H and Boys & Girls Clubs
Extension-run screening and BGCA’s annual checks.
08
What state law says about troops and clubs
Pennsylvania and California.
09
Overnights, trips and tents
Six rules and a pre-trip checklist.
10
Who should be screened
Leaders, committee members, chaperones, drivers and youth leaders.
11
Where a VolunteerBadge check fits — and where it doesn’t
An honest table alongside national organizations’ own processes.
12
When a check isn’t clean, and when someone raises a concern
Fair review and a reporting plan.
A
Appendix A: Troop and club youth-protection checklist
Draft or audit your written policy.
B
Appendix B: Letter to families
How we keep scouts safe — for your welcome packet.
C
Appendix C: Free tools, further reading and sources
Two-adult rule checker, the teen guide and every citation.

Get the free guide

Questions

Is the guide really free?: Yes. Sign in with Google or LinkedIn and the PDF opens right away. Signing in doesn’t set up an organization, start a trial, or charge anything.
Can a VolunteerBadge check replace Scouting America’s background check?: No. If your unit is part of Scouting America — or Girl Scouts, 4-H or Boys & Girls Clubs — that organization’s required registration and screening process applies. VolunteerBadge is a strong fit for a chartered organization’s own youth programs, independent troops and clubs, and helpers outside national registration where your rules allow it.
How often do scout leaders need youth-protection training?: Scouting America now requires its Safeguarding Youth training every year; a volunteer whose training isn’t current at annual renewal isn’t re-registered. Some older Scouting America pages still describe a two-year cycle, so follow the current training page.
Is this legal advice?: No. It is general education. National organizations update their policies often and state laws vary — confirm current requirements with your council, national office, state and qualified counsel.

Keep going

VolunteerBadge is owned and operated by ScreenForge Labs, LLC, an FCRA-regulated Consumer Reporting Agency that has obtained its FCRA Certificate from the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA). This guide is general educational information and is not legal advice.