Scouting Safely
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| Health & Safety Alerts |
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$30 Physicals at Take Care Clinics
If your Scout should need a medical evaluation to participate in an upcoming BSA event, Take Care Clinics are here to help. Through September 30, 2009, Take Care Clinics are offering camp and sports physicals for only $30. Board-certified family nurse practitioners and, in select markets, physician assistants are available seven days a week, and weeknights, too. |
Winter Sports Safety--Helmets
While it is the end of August and school is just beginning, we would like to advise you of a change to the Winter Activities section of the Guide to Safe Scouting. |
Summer Aquatics Safety
Many units are taking advantage of the summer weather to participate in aquatics activities. When participating in aquatics activities unit leaders are reminded that they must follow the principles listed in Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. |
Influenza Update
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6, which indicates that a global pandemic is under way. The BSA has been monitoring the situation and is providing this update to its participants to help them be prepared as the summer camping season moves forward. |
Parade Safety
The attached tip sheet, Safety Tips for Parades, has been distributed by the Cradle of Liberty Council. It follows the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety. |
Insurance Programs
Check here for brief outlines of insurance coverages available to volunteers and chartered organizations. |
AEDs Available to Councils and Units
As reported in the Spring 2008 Health and Safety Newsletter, only 21 percent of council offices and 58 percent of council camps have automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in place to be prepared for sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. We are working to make 100 percent coverage a reality for your offices and camps as well as making AEDs available for units and community service projects. |
Past Alerts |
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.