Camping offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, but it also comes with certain risks, particularly those posed by hazard trees. Understanding and mitigating these risks is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of all campers. No matter your role in Scouting, each of us plays a role in selecting, utilizing and even potentially maintaining safe camping locations.
For Everyone
What is a hazard tree? A hazard tree is any tree that poses a risk to people or property due to factors such as disease, structural defects, or proximity to high-use areas (including campsites). Recognizing the signs of a hazard tree, including dead branches, cracks in the trunk, or an abnormal lean is a first key step for each of us. Review this new resource from the National Conservation Subcommittee on “Recognizing and Mitigating Hazard Trees” with your council staff and volunteers.
What can you do? Check out the list below and see how you can help Scouting be proactive in mitigating this risk.
For District and Council Volunteers
For Camp Property Committees and Rangers
For Short-Term Camp Administrators and Long-Term Camp Leadership
Finally, it is important to have a response plan in place in the event that a hazard tree does cause an incident. This plan should include procedures for providing first aid, contacting emergency services, and securing the affected area to prevent further injury (this could also be included in your emergency procedures per NCAP AO-805). Regular drills and staff training can ensure that everyone is prepared to act quickly and effectively if necessary.
By adhering to these best practices and leveraging the resources available, we can create a safer environment for all campers. Regular inspections, proactive management, comprehensive education, and a well-prepared response plan are key components of effective hazard tree safety. Ensuring these measures are in place will help protect both people and property, allowing everyone to enjoy the great outdoors with peace of mind.
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Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies
Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments
Managing Member Calje
David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.
President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.
Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.