Range & Target Activities Update
Scouts BSA Program Updates: Urgent UPDATE
Shooting Sports is now Range & Target activities this allows for the inclusion of other activities that require a Safe Range setup.
The following are updates as of 9/2024 contained in the New Range & Target Activities Manual.
Range SAFEty Training
All Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships who provide unit-level sponsored/planned range and target activities must have at least one registered unit leader 21+ years of age take the Range Activity SAFEty online training available on my.scouting.org. This individual must be present at the range during the range and target activity(s). Participating in this training will help ensure a unit understands Scouting America’s range and target activities policies.
To access the updated training, log onto my.Scouting.org and search the catalog in the BSA Learn Center for “Range Activity SAFEty.” For additional information regarding Scouting’s Range and Target Activities, please refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting and the National Range and Target Activities Manual.
Where Firearms programs may occur
Firearm programs may only take place on a nationally authorized camp property’s range(s) or at a commercial firearm range.
This does not apply to district or council programs that utilize BB devices, but applies to pellet rifles, airsoft (any type), rifles, pistols, shotguns, and muzzle-loading rifles and shotguns. Some states, counties, or other jurisdictions may regulate BB guns as firearms depending on their design and capabilities. Councils must review and follow any local regulations before conducting programs.
The council’s camp may be an ideal location for range and target activities. Here, safely designed ranges may be established for the long-term camping program. Under qualified leadership, Scouts, should be given a chance to participate in these skills year-round. Alert unit, district, and council leadership will discover community resources that will be available to units throughout the year. Local archery, National Rifle Association, and sportsmen’s groups will often provide facilities and resources.
Prohibited Activities
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss07/
The Boy Scouts of America’s Charter and Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, policies, and program guidelines help provide a safe and consistent program. Council and unit charters as well as individual registration are conditioned upon adherence to those requirements.
Adult volunteer leaders and units that allow youth or units to engage in prohibited or unauthorized activities in contravention of program requirements, and leaders who fail to take steps to stop any such activities, put youth and the organization at risk.
Only leaders possessing the educational, emotional, and moral qualities necessary for leadership are permitted to register and serve as Scouters. Actions which put youth or the organization at risk call into question the suitability of a Scouter for leadership.
- If it is determined that youth were allowed to participate or engage in unauthorized or prohibited activities, a leader’s registration and/or the unit’s charter may be subject to adverse action, including revocation.
Approved by the National Executive Committee, February 13, 2018
The Scouting program incorporates common activities such as swimming, climbing, cycling, archery, and snowboarding that, depending on the details, may include both real and perceived risks to participants. Those risks are managed by BSA policies, procedures, and guidelines that set limits and incorporate specific features such as safety equipment or qualified supervision. Guidance is provided by, but not limited to, the Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climb on Safely, Belay On, and the BSA shooting sports program. Activity components outside of BSA program guidelines are prohibited as follows:
- Shooting or throwing sports outside of BSA program literature and guidance. Examples of prohibited activities (with exceptions in italics) include:
- Anvil shooting, flintlocks, exploding targets, and devices regulated by the National Firearms Act
- Blow guns, boomerangs, and ballistae
- Homemade firearms and air cannons, potato cannons, and tennis ball cannons
- Throwing of shovels, torpedoes, spikes, stars, shotput, logs, hammers, and cabers
- Inappropriate ammunition such as pumpkins, hard slingshot ammo, and tracers
- Cannons
- Crossbows (except at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve)
- Reloading ammunition, and using reloaded ammunition (except at Philmont Scout Ranch)
- Spears, including atlatls, pole spears, and spear guns (except at Philmont Scout Ranch)