Home Hospitality Policy
Policy Statement: The 24th World Scout Jamboree will work with the three host National Scout Organizations, The Boy Scouts of America, Scouts Canada, and The Asociación de Scouts de México Scouting programs (“the NSO Hosts”), to provide information on available pre- and post-Jamboree resident group camp experiences that can be considered in connection with NSO contingent trip planning.
Due to a variety of considerations, including compliance with applicable Safe from Harm and youth protection practices, hosting Scouts in private homes is not and will not considered to be an official Scouting activity or an activity associated with or a part of the 24th World Scout Jamboree.
Opportunities for Scout families in the United States, Mexico and Canada to host Scouting youth from other countries or National Scout Organizations contingents before, during or after the 24th World Scout Jamboree can offer a rich experience for everyone. However, when home hosting has any connection to the World Scout Jamboree, it presents special challenges. The 24th World Scout Jamboree and the Boy Scouts of America provide insurance coverage for only their official Scouting activities, and hosting Scouts in private homes is not and will not considered to be an official Scouting activity or an activity associated with or a part of the 24th World Scout Jamboree. As a result, any promotion of a home hosting opportunity as part of an official 24th World Scout Jamboree and the Boy Scouts of America is prohibited.
Please note, however, that group hosting opportunities may be available by one of the hosts. Being in residence at a BSA, Scouts Canada or The Asociación de Scouts de México official camp or property may be part of an official 24th World Scout Jamboree activity if approved by the host country and the NSO of the attendees, unless the event is private or non-Scouting in nature. Separately, The Asociación de Scouts de México may offer limited accommodations in schools or other facilities but this activity would not be part of an official 24th World Scout Jamboree activity.
If Scouting volunteers or staff are involved in making arrangements for home hosting, they should know in advance that they are not engaged an official Scouting activity. In most cases an appropriate disclaimer to the effect that hosting is not part of the Scouting activity should be included in materials used to promote or arrange the hosting.
The following guidelines may be helpful for those involved in hosting Scouts in private homes. These are not policies of the 24th World Scout Jamboree or the Host NSOs. Rather, they are offered for informational purposes only:
- If a local sponsoring organization or chartered organization or scouting unit facilitates the arrangements, including the selection of both the visiting Scout and the host family, they should know that they are not engaged in an official 24th World Scout Jamboree, The Boy Scouts of America, Scouts Canada or The Asociación de Scouts de México activity.
- If hosting is before, after, or during the period for the 24th World Scout Jamboree, the host family and Scout must acknowledge that the official Scouting activity begins and ends at the rally or assembly point for the activity. The activity does not include time spent at the host family’s home. An official 24th World Scout Jamboree activity does not include travel to or from the event.
- While BSA, Scouts Canada and The Asociación de Scouts de México youth protection policies as well as WOSM’s Safe from Harm guidelines may not apply to non-Scouting activities, the barriers to abuse and other guidelines offer some best practices that the host family and Scout (or National Scout Organization or Contingent) should consider following during the visit, including:
— Should a two-deep family presence be required while the visiting Scout is with the host family or in the home?
— Should a criminal record check be performed on all residents of the home 18 years of age or older? (A sponsoring organization may request evidence of such a check.)
— Has a suitability assessment been performed that considers the age, sex, sleeping and bathroom accommodations, and individual needs of everyone who will be in the home?
— What information should be shared before the Scout arrives? A profile of the host family, details of the accommodations, and a schedule are often helpful and comforting.
— How should behavioral expectations be determined and communicated? A written code of conduct or household rules may be appropriate.
— Should everyone who will be in the household complete Youth Protection or similar training?
— What visitors may be in the home while the Scout is there? Should an adult of the host family be present at the time?
— Should neighbors be asked to keep a watchful eye?
— What identification, emergency contact information, and authorization for medical treatment should be available, and where will it be kept?
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