Restricted Activities and Equipment

The following activities/equipment have been declared unauthorized by the Boy Scouts of America for program use:

All terrain vehicles (ATV’s)
ATV’s are defined as motorized recreational cycles with three or four large, soft tires, designed for off road use on a variety of terrain’s.

Motorized go-carts and motorbikes
All motorized speed events, including motorcycles, boats, drag racing, demolition derbies and related events.

Motorized personal watercraft, such as jet-skis
Their use should not be permitted in or near BSA program areas.

Parasailing
Any activity in which a person is carried aloft by a parachute, parasail, kite, or other device towed by a motorboat.

Bungee cord jumping, or all activities related to it
Sometimes called shock cord jumping.

Flying in hang gliders, Ultralights, Experimental Class Aircraft, Hot Air Balloons, Parachuting
And flying in aircraft as part of a search and rescue mission.

Chainsaws and mechanical log splitters
May be authorized for use only by trained individuals over the age of 18, using proper protective gear in accordance with local laws.

Boxing, karate, and related martial arts

Exploration of abandoned mines

The activity commonly referred to as "War Games"
Or activities in which individuals shoot paint or dye at one another.
See the memo of 5/14/08 from the Director of Insurance and Risk Management about paintball and laser tag.

Hunting
Although hunting safety is part of the program. The purpose of this policy is to restrict Units from conducting hunting trips. However, this policy does not restrict Explorer Posts from conducting hunting trips or special adult hunting expeditions provided that adequate safety procedures are followed and that all participants have obtained necessary permits and/or licenses from either state or federal agencies. While hunter safety education might not be required prior to obtaining a hunting license, successful completion of the respective state voluntary program is required before participation in the activity.)

Firearms
Except for Law Enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, and circumstances within the scope of the BSA hunting policy statement, firearms should not be in possession of any person engaged in camping, hiking, backpacking, or any other Scouting activity other than those specifically planned for target shooting under the supervision of a certified firearms instructor (Among the purposes of this policy, it is to prohibit adult leaders from bringing firearms to BSA camping and hiking activities or unit meetings)

Varsity football teams and inter-scholastic or club football competition and activities

Participation in amateur or professional rodeo events and council or district sponsorship of rodeos

Fireworks
Secured, used, or displayed in conjunction with program and activities is unauthorized except where the fireworks display is conducted under the auspices of a certified or licensed fireworks control expert.

For additional information on current policies and procedures regarding safe scouting practices, see the Guide to Safe Scouting, Publication #34416. It is available in the Scout Shop and online.

This is the official site of the Des Plaines Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America

This page was last modified on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:01pm