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Youth Protection . . . and YOU

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Golden Gate Area Council (GGAC) emphasize youth safety for all of our programs. To support a safe environment, is it critical that all registered volunteers be compliant with required Youth Protection Training (YPT) from the BSA and California Law AB-506, which adds requirements for volunteers in all youth serving organizations. Parents are highly encouraged to complete YPT.

Youth safety is the responsibility of EVERYONE in Scouting.
Help the GGAC Executive Board maintain a safe culture at the
Unit, District, and Council level!

Important:
For ALL registered volunteers, you have 60 days to become YPT and AB-506 compliant from the date of your registration (whether new or renewed), or your membership will be suspended.

Board Resolution - YPT
Board Resolution - AB506

You are YPT Compliant if YOU:

Are a registered adult volunteer in the BSA

 

Note: You may need to update your YPT once a year, unless you take it on the date of your annual registration anniversary.

You are AB-506 Compliant if YOU:

Complete Mandated Reporter Training

  1. Ensure you have completed or are accessing the latest version of the Mandated Reporter Training (January 2023 or later).
  2. Follow the instructions to complete the training. This is a “one and done” training, meaning it does not expire.
  3. Your Certificate will be automatically filed by the training vendor. You do not need to upload or send it to Council.
  4. Fee Issue: If prompted to pay $7.99, you have accessed the wrong site. Click the help button and indicate you are with the Golden Gate Area Council to resolve the issue.

 

Complete LiveScan Fingerprinting

  1. Find a LiveScan fingerprinting service provider. Here is the prepopulated form for GGAC. 
  2. Use legal name. Ensure the name you provide matches exactly with your official government document (e.g., driver’s license).
  3. Complete the fingerprinting process. The results will be sent to the council’s AB-506 administrator. This is also a “one and done” process.
  4. If your BSA registration uses a different name (e.g., a nickname), inform your unit or district leadership to ensure a proper match.

FAQs - AB-506 and YPT Compliance

Common issues that cause missing information on AB506 compliance reports.
Missing LiveScan
  1. Live Scan companies use your name exactly as it appears on an official government document (typically a driver's license) to request your Live Scan processing.  The resulting reports given to the council’s AB 506 administrator use your legal name.  If your BSA Registration uses the same legal name, there will be a match.  However, if you used an abbreviation or nickname for your BSA registration, we may not be able to verify a match.  If you know this to be the case, provide both names to your unit and/or district leadership, so a proper match can be made.
Missing AB506 Training
  1. The name on your training certificate &/or the one you supplied in the upload process might not match the name you have used for registration with BSA.
Missing name from the report
  1. You might have created a My.Scouting login ID during the process of registering your child for the BSA, but you never registered yourself as an adult volunteer. If you are not a registered/in good standing, there is no membership record to match your AB506 file.
Can I pause the training and then resume from where I left off?
Unfortunately, no. If you exit the module before completion, you will be required to start at the beginning when you return. You should plan for 2 hours of time to complete the module and test.
What are the LiveScan requirements & fees?
Both the state (DOJ) and federal background checks are required. Volunteers need to pay for fees associated with fingerprinting and the federal background check. The state (DOJ) is free.

The federal fees are a rolling fingerprint fee, which varies between LiveScan processing locations and generally range from $20-40, as well as a $17 fee for the federal background check.
The LiveScan processing location says the ORI number doesn't work.
The ORI number for Golden Gate Area Council is AR701
Do I need to enter the Type of License in the Applicant Submission section?
No, you may leave this blank.
Does an 18-20 year old in Exploring, Sea Scouts, or Venturing need to complete YPT and AB506 training? What about an 18-20 year old OA member with a primary registration in Scouts BSA?
An older youth program participant age 18-20 in a BSA program is considered to be a youth in terms of AB506, not an adult volunteer. However, an older youth program participant 18-20 does need to be YPT compliant. For Order of the Arrow older youth ages 18-20 with a primary adult volunteer registration in a Scouts BSA unit, the participant would need to be both YPT and AB506 compliant.
I completed YPT, but was told that my certification is not showing as current/valid. What happened?
You may have multiple BSA IDs and completed YPT under an ID not associated with your unit registration. This can occur for several reasons. Your ID's need to be merged or synced. Contact your district training chair or commissioner if you need assistance.
What is the purpose of submitting my Request for Live Scan Service form and providing my fingerprints?
By submitting your Request for Live Scan Service form and providing your fingerprints, you are authorizing the Council to determine your eligibility to serve as an Employee, Administrator, or Regular Volunteer for the Council.
Who will review my Live Scan results?
The Custodian of Records for the Council will receive and review your results through secure means from the Department of Justice.
Can my authorization status be shared with other councils?
Yes, the Custodian of Records may share your authorization status with another council if they request information regarding your ability to serve or attend an out-of-council camp.
What if I find inaccuracies in my FBI criminal history record?
You have the right to challenge the accuracy or completeness of your FBI criminal history record. You will be given a reasonable amount of time to do so before any benefits are denied based on the information in your record. Further guidance can be found at FBI Background Checks.
How can I correct or update my criminal history record with the federal government or state of California?
Procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or update of your criminal history record are outlined in Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 16.34. You can also review and challenge the contents of your criminal history record on file with the California Department of Justice. For more information, visit California DOJ Record Review.
What happens after a determination is made regarding my ability to serve?
Once a determination has been made, your BSA membership records will include your approval status to serve as an Employee, Administrator, or Regular Volunteer for the Council.

Our Office and Retail hours change occasionally. Follow this link to view our Current Business Hours.

Alameda Trading Post

1714 Everett Street
Alameda, CA 94501 | (510) 965-5631

Fairfield Trading Post

1955 West Texas St. Suite 1
Fairfield, CA 94533 | (925) 674-6166

Pleasant Hill Scout Shop

508 Contra Costa Blvd, Suite K2
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | (925) 674-8500

Pleasanton Trading Post

6601 Owens Drive, Suite 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588 | (925) 674-6100

GGAC Service Center

6601 Owens Drive, Suite 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588 | (925) 674-6100

Outdoor Program Office

1714 Everett Street
Alameda, CA 94501 | (925) 674-6130

© 2024 All rights reserved, Golden Gate Area Council, Scouting America

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General Information

GGAC Refund Policy

The Golden Gate Area Council has instituted a refund policy to ensure our Scouts receive high quality programs & activities.  A great deal of advanced planning and purchasing takes place for programs and events of the Golden Gate Area Council during the months and weeks prior to an event.

 

The Council will refund up to 100% of the costs for any event it cancels. In order to maintain the most cost effective and positive program impact activity, camping, and event refunds of 100% cannot be given.  Refunds are not given for No-Shows, schedule conflicts, weather conditions, or behavior issues occurring before or during the event. Refunds are considered based upon the following criteria and timeline and are returned to the person or entity and in the manner in which they were received. 

 

Time Until Start of Event

Percentage Refund

Up to 14 days prior

80% refund

Up to 7 days prior

60% refund

7 days or less

No refund*

*Participants who cancel from an event within 7 days will be considered for up to a 60% refund if the refund request is accompanied by a Doctor’s note.  Requests under these circumstances will not be considered if not received at the Council Service Center less than 14 days after the start of the event.

The Golden Gate Area Council believes each Scout should be given every opportunity to attend Camp. At times it can be hard for a family to raise the money, and Camperships can help cover part of the cost of a week of Camp for Golden Gate Area Council members attending one of the Golden Gate Area Council Camps. Campership applications are due by March 27th for continuing Scouts and May 29th for newly bridged Arrow of Light Scouts.

Due to the need for Staff time off, Saturday arrivals are NOT allowed.

ALL of our Camps are CLOSED and the Staff is off duty from 11:00 AM on Saturday to 11:00AM on Sunday each weekend. 

No Troop……..No Problem! You don’t have to miss out on all the fun just because your troop isn’t going to summer camp or because other summer plans mean you won’t be able to go to camp with your Troop. You may even want to do an additional week of camp just because you had such a great time.

 

New Friends…….New Experiences!  Provisional Camping is just like camping with your home troop, except you’ll have the opportunity to camp with new friends as you join Scouts from all over the council and beyond. You’ll meet new people and have the opportunity to develop friendships that can last a lifetime. Provisional Scouts will partner with a selected Golden Gate Area Council Troop with an experienced leader. You’ll have a full time Scoutmaster for the week that, just like your Scoutmaster back home, will make sure you have a safe and fun camp experience. Provisional scouts can participate in all of the camp’s exciting programs including advancement, competitions, and patrol events. It’s a great way to finish additional Merit Badges, or to try a new part of the program that you weren’t able to try before.

NOTE:

  1. First-year summer campers cannot attend as Provisional. Youth must have attended at least one Summer Camp at the camp prior to this year.
  2. We will contact you after receipt of your reservation to coordinate registration into specific camp programs, get health forms, emergency contact info, permission slips, etc…
  3. Adults attending with provisional Scouts must pay a leader fee.

SO, sign up now if you’d like to attend camp as part of the provisional camping program!

Provisional Camping is the creation of a temporary Troop or an opportunity to work with another unit. Provisional camping allows youth to attend camp without their home unit. Provisional camping is not new; it is used during many different Scouting events including National Jamborees and High Adventure trips.

The Scout’s family is responsible for transportation to and from Camp. Please contact the Golden Gate Area Council Camping and Outdoor Programs Department ([email protected]) for questions or more information.

How to verify an out of Council Merit Badge Counselor.

First, try to connect the Scout and counselor in Scoutbook. If that is successful, the counselor is registered and qualified. If unsuccessful, go to the counselor’s home council and search for their Advancement Administrators. Most will have an email address for either the Council Advancement Committee or Professional Advisor. Send an email asking if the counselor has been registered and qualified for the merit badge(s) in question and the status of their Youth Protection Training. Ask California councils if the counselor has completed AB506 training and LiveScan. The unit leader’s “blue card” signature verifies their counselor credentials verification.

Camping Champion

Training Campion

Events Champion

Resources Champion

Calendar Champion

Cub Scouts

Scouts BSA

Venturing

Sea Scouts

Exploring

International

Highlander

Shooting Sport

STEM

Scouting for Food

Order of the Arrow