1st Riverlake Scouting

1st Riverlake Scouters,

As you know, CBC the fifth estate did a program last night called “Scout’s Honour”.  The program focused on some horrible examples of past child abuse in Scouting, both in Boy Scouts of America and Scouts Canada.  If a parent approach you about the CBC program or has any questions about Scouts Canada’s volunteer screening processes, here is some information that may help.

First of all, there is detailed information on the Scouts Canada website regarding youth protection.  Here is the link.  http://www.scouts.ca/ca/youth‑protection

The link has information that may be useful to parents and leaders.  It also includes the Duty of Care and the Parent’s Guide on Child Abuse which all new leaders in our Group receive when I interview them as part of the Volunteer screening process.

Second, the Scouts Canada webpage http://www.scouts.ca/ has a link to the letters sent to the CBC from Janet Yale, our National Executive Commissioner and CEO.  In those letters, she explains the immediate and explicit steps that are taken for complaints of misbehaviour or abuse.

The safety of the children under our supervision at Scouting events is our chief concern.  I am more than willing to speak to parents who have questions about this or any part of Scouting in 1st Riverlake Group.  Feel free to give them my contact information.

Yours in Scouting,

 

John

 

John P. Van Oosten

Group Commissioner

1st Riverlake Scout Group