Unit renewal and Safeguarding Youth Training: a tracking checklist
· The MySummitKeep team
Independent of Scouting America. This is a planning guide, not official policy. Your council registrar and my.Scouting.org decide what applies to your unit.
The short answer
Two things most often delay a unit’s renewal: adults whose Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) has lapsed, and missing required positions. Scouting America’s Cub Scout Pack Program Guide 2026–27 says SYT expires 12 months after completion, that expired training is “the most common cause of unit renewal delay,” and that an adult with lapsed training must complete it before the renewal goes through. Start checking about 70 days before your charter expiration date.
What changed (so old advice may be wrong)
- SYT replaced Youth Protection Training. The program guide says SYT went live in May 2025 and fully replaced YPT as of May 31, 2026.
- It is annual, not every two years. Older blog posts, slide decks and some council pages still say two years.
- A short refresher exists for a lapse of up to seven days; after that, the full course (about 90 minutes, 80% to pass) is needed again.
- Unit renewal and member renewal are separate. The program guide says each family and adult renews on their own registration anniversary, and the unit’s renewal date is its own. Councils are moving units to a common renewal month on their own timelines, so ask your council for your unit’s date instead of assuming a winter deadline.
A working timeline (from the program guide)
| When | Step |
|---|---|
| About 75 days out | Find your charter expiration date in the Unit Renewal portal at my.Scouting.org |
| About 70 days out | Print the roster; audit every adult’s SYT status |
| About 65 days out | Make leadership changes before opening the renewal |
| 60 days out | The renewal window opens; start online |
| About 45 days out | Confirm positions are filled (a registered den leader for every den; chair, secretary, treasurer at minimum for a pack) |
| About 30 days out | Pay the unit fee (ask your registrar for the current amount) |
| At least 15 days out | Submit |
Positions differ by unit type and may change; follow your council’s current Unit Renewal Guide.
Tracking this in MySummitKeep
- Unit Training lists every adult with a status icon: all required training current, something expiring within 60 days, or a required course missing or expired. Filter to “Required Gaps” or “Expiring” to build your nudge list. See training records.
- Expiration alerts warn about expiring certifications (Basecamp).
- Training gap analysis (Summit) shows who needs what before the next recharter or event.
- Recharter workflow (Summit) gives admins a roster review, fee summary, nine-step renewal checklist and a Verification tab that flags missing BSA member IDs, adults without current Safeguarding Youth Training, a missing Committee Chair or Chartered Organization Representative, and unpaid fees. See recharter.
- Unit leadership chart shows open positions.
Important: MySummitKeep’s recharter page prepares and checks your package and hands it to your council within MySummitKeep. It is not the official Scouting America renewal. The official unit renewal is completed at my.Scouting.org.
Plans
SYT tracking and expiration alerts are in free Basecamp. Training gap analysis and the recharter workflow are in Summit ($99 per unit per year). 30-day trial on paid plans. See pricing.
FAQ
How often must adults retake Safeguarding Youth Training?
Every 12 months, per the Cub Scout Pack Program Guide 2026–27 (see Sources).
Does MySummitKeep take the course?
No. Adults take SYT at my.Scouting.org. MySummitKeep tracks the date.
Does MySummitKeep submit my renewal to Scouting America?
No. Use my.Scouting.org.
Where do I find the unit’s renewal date?
In the Unit Renewal portal at my.Scouting.org.