Transportation Standards
Introduction
Parents are responsible for arranging transport of their children to and from Group and Section Scouting adventures. When we (Sections, Groups, Councils) arrange for transportation for a Scouting adventure, the following applies:
- Use of public or chartered commercial carriers is recommended
- Private vehicles should carry a minimum of $2 million third party liability insurance
- Anyone using a private vehicle should carry personal umbrella liability through their homeowners or tenants insurance equivalent to $1 million per passenger
Our Standards
1. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation of their children to and from Scouting adventures. Parents may arrange transportation by family members or other parents taking children to and from the activity.
2. Supervision
- The Two Scouter Rule applies in all situations where Scouters are with youth, including while transporting youth.[1]
3. Chartered Commercial Transportation (Ground, Water, Air)
- The Scouter in charge must confirm that the owner, the vehicle(s), and operator(s) are correctly licensed and adequately insured in accordance with the laws of the province or territory in which the vehicles are being operated.
- Charter air flights organized in the name of Scouts Canada must be approved by the Executive Commissioners and Chief Executive Officer.
4. Commercial Transportation (Ground, Water, Air)
- For travel outside Canada, see the International Travel Standards.
- When travelling in Canada, the value of trip interruption insurance needs to be investigated.
5. Rented Vehicles
- Vehicles rented or leased for Scouting adventures are not covered by Scouts Canada insurance.
- Groups renting vehicles shall arrange third party liability and collision insurance with the rental company or with a qualified insurance broker to make sure they are adequately insured.[2]
- It is not permitted to rent passenger vans seating more than 7 persons.
6. Private Vehicles
- Scouts Canada’s insurance does not protect owners/drivers of privately owned vehicles used during or to and from Scouting adventures. Anyone driving Scouting members does so at their own risk. Scouts Canada insurance does not cover:
- Third-party liability claims
- The cost of damage to privately owned automobiles
- Deductible amounts, loss of discounts, or loss of use
- The Scouter in charge must confirm that private vehicles are licensed and insured and operated by correctly licensed and insured operators.
7. Towing individuals Behind a Vehicle
- Towing individuals behind a motorized vehicle of any sort (car, truck, tractor, ATV, snowmobile, boat, etc.) is a prohibited activity for all Scouts Canada events and activities, except in the specific circumstances outlined below in point 7.b.
- An exemption is made to this standard where a commercial business/operator (with appropriate commercial insurance coverage – as per 3. Chartered Commercial Transportation) above has been hired to facilitate one of these specific activities:
- Hay Rides and similar activities
- Parade Floats (where precautions are in place to ensure individuals cannot fall off the float, such as walls, seat belts, or guard rails.
8. Private Aircraft
- Private aircraft, not licensed or insured for commercial use, are not permitted to transport Scouts members on adventures.
[1] See Two Scouter Rule
[2] Carefully investigate the limits of credit card rental vehicle insurance before depending on it. There may be limits on the size of vehicle the coverage applies to and exclusions for transporting non-family members. The renter may be personally responsible for the damages while the credit card insurer investigates the claim. The rental vehicle company insurance may be more expensive but it may be the simplest and most reliable option.