Scouting Safely

The Boy Scouts of America has nearly a century of experience conducting high-adventure outdoor activities in a manner that is safe for all participants. The following resources and information are provided to enable adult leaders and youth to help us maintain our impeccable safety record.

General Resources

Weather Smart Resources  The Health and Safety Service offers online news, links, and resources to help you plan and prepare for hazardous weather.

Managing Risk (from the Fieldbook) The best way to stay safe in the outdoors is to avoid getting into trouble in the first place. That requires planning, training, leadership, good judgment, and accepting responsibility—in short, risk management.

Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities This chart provides an at-a-glance reference to activity guidelines that are based on the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of youth members.

Guide to Safe Scouting The Guide to Safe Scouting is the unit leaders' guide to current policies and procedures.

The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in Scout activity, the BSA National Health & Safety Committee have developed 16 points that embody good judgement and common sense for all activities.

The Driver's Pledge This pledge outlines five key points that a driver should attend in order to safely convey Scouts of their outings.

Risk Management Newsletter The Risk Management Newsletter provides timely news about current issues and recent updates to our policies and procedures.

Health and Safety News The Health and Safety Service provides periodic updates for Scouting leaders on a variety of relevant health- and safety-related topics.

Safe Swim Defense The Safe Swim Defense is a plan for conducting swimming activities in a safe manner.

Safety Afloat Safety Afloat has been developed to promote boating and boating safety and to set standards for safe unit activity afloat.

Policy on Use of Chemical Fuels This policy is intended to encourage safe practices when using chemical fuels - liquid, gel, and gas.

Emergency Preparedness Award Working with the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Boy Scouts of America has developed an award program to help Scouts to be prepared for emergencies of all kinds.

BSA Bike Safety Guidelines This set of guidelines and procedures provides guidance for the use of bicycles in program activities on every level of the organization.

The Latest First Aid for Wounds and CPR The BSA has checked with experts in the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and with the American Red Cross.

Training

American Red Cross and Boy Scouts of America Training Agreement Is your Unit, District, or Council taking full advantage of the National Agreement that Boy Scouts of America has with the American Red Cross?

Planning and Preparing for Hazardous Weather  - Weather Smart News, Links and Resources

Planning and Conducting a Safe Scout Outing Safe Scouting can happen if you follow the Scout motto: Be Prepared. This unit of supplementary training will describe how to plan for and conduct a safe Scout outing.

Health and Safety Training Course Syllabus  An outline explaining the “sandwich principle” with emphasis on the importance of qualified supervision and discipline. Watch Scouting Safety Begins with Leadership Video 19-201

Youth Protection Training  An online course that guides adults in creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members.

Safe Swim Defense  The Safe Swim Defense is a plan for conducting swimming activities in a safe manner.

Safety Afloat  Safety Afloat has been developed to promote boating and boating safety and to set standards for safe unit activity afloat.

Camp Health Officer Training (PowerPoint) This PowerPoint presentation provides requisite information for camp health officers. Watch Scouting Safety Begins with Leadership Video 19-201

Health and Safety/Risk Management Conference Join us at Philmont Training Center on August 8 -14, 2010 for a Health and Safety / Risk management conference and workshop.

Awards

• BSA Ready and Prepared Award
• Emergency Preparedness Award
• Kayaking BSA Award
• SCUBA BSA Award
• Snorkeling BSA Award
• BSA Physical Fitness Award

Merit Badges:

• Safety
• Fire Safety
• Emergency Preparedness
• First Aid
• Traffic Safety
• Swimming
• Lifesaving
• Mile Swim
• Board Sailing BSA
• BSA Lifeguard

Cub Scouting

Cub Scout Leader Fast Start  This training is provided to get new leaders in the Cub Scout program up to speed quickly, familiarizing them with their role and responsibilities in supporting a Cub Scout den or pack.

Basic Leader Training Every Cub Scout leader should complete Basic Leader Training; it prepares leaders to deliver a quality, fun-filled program.

Outdoor Skills for Webelos Leaders Designed specifically for Webelos den leaders and their assistants, the Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders course teaches outdoor-related skills through demonstration and hands-on practice.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is a one-day training event that introduces leaders and parents to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly pack camping.

Forms

• Local Tour Permit Application  - Use this form for trips and camps under 500 miles.
• National Tour Permit Application  - Use this form for tours 500 miles or more and tours outside the U.S.A.
• FAQs for Tour Permit Application
• Flying Permit Application  - Includes FAQ
• Activity Consent Form and Approval by Parents or Legal Guardian  - Required for BSA Aviation flights, recommended for all activities.
• Meeting Place Inspection Checklist 
• Annual Health and Medical Record [Prints on single 8.5 x 11 sheets]  [Prints on 11 x 17 sheets]  - The one health and medical record for your use. Replaces former Class 1, 2, and 3 forms, which will be phased out in 2009. The use of the new form, No. 34605, will be required effective January 1, 2010, as well as for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Bilingual Version 
• FAQs concerning the new Annual Health and Medical Record - Bilingual Version 
• Medical Information for High Adventure Base Participation (Philmont Scout Ranch, Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier) - Due to the unique and specific activities of each high-adventure base, the Annual Health and Medical Record will not be accepted at any of the bases. YOU are responsible to Be Prepared for your high-adventure trek and to understand and follow all high-adventure base rules, procedures and guidelines including the use of their individual medical forms or record requirements.
• Philmont Scout Ranch does not post their medical records online. However, this is the information portion of the 2009 Philmont Health and Medical Record , which can also be found in the 2009 Philtrek Guide . Please contact Philmont Scout Ranch by e-mail, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text74278 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 575-376-2281, to obtain a complete original medical record.
• Florida Sea Base Medical Record and PADI Medical Statement 
• Northern Tier Medical Record 
• Immunization Exemption Request  – Request for exemption from tetanus immunization requirement.
• Medical Care Exemption Request  – Request for exemption from medical care.
• Immunization Information - Updated (October 2008) immunization policy and support information. The Boy Scouts of America encourages all members of the Scouting community to become fully protected with vaccines that are now available to prevent infectious diseases that are dangerous for children and adults living in the United States.

Got Questions?

For immediate response, contact your local council service center with questions regarding Scouting safely.

Click here to e-mail questions specific to health, safety, or risk management to the national council.