1. Sweet Sixteen of Safety

2. A Campout – Are you Enthused about:
Having Fun
Learn new skills
Spending Time as a troop
Focus of troop meetings (preparation and reflection)
Enjoying the outdoors
Getting away from home

3. Oh no, a Campout!

4. Concerns: No clue what to do? Someone will get hurt!
Terrible Experience
Rain, Mud, Cold, Insects, homesickness ….
Not enough adults will drive
How will we carry all this gear

5. Key Resources to Develop Your Skills
BSA training opportunities
Leader specific training
Roundtable
Woodbadge
Supportive adults - ASK!
BSA outdoor-related literature
Internet

6. Troop Leader Guidebook
Volume 1 – New leaders
Volume 2 – Experienced leaders
Appendix
Troop and Patrol Gear
Personal Overnight Camping Gear
Scoutmasters Campsite Quick Checklist

7. 1) Qualified supervision
Don’t Assume other adults present are paying attention. Have a meeting and make sure that all adults realize that they are all responsible for the safety of all participants.
Have properly trained adults for the activity
Make sure all adults have an opportunity to review the Guide to Safe Scouting

8. 2) Physical fitness
Don’t just account for the required medical forms, review them and be aware of situations which could be a problem.
Boys with a medical notation, review this with the parent. If you are not comfortable, get more information. Insist if you have too!
Be aware of the capabilities of the boys, in particular the younger scouts. It should be fun, not an ordeal.
Insist on clearly written instructions for prescriptions with times and doses. Assign a responsible adult to dispense the medications.

9. 3) Buddy system The buddy system works
Stress the importance of the buddy system and challenge lone boys who have “misplaced” their buddy!

10. 4) Safe area or course Common Sense ! Swimming Watercraft
Follow the guidelines
Watercraft
Follow the guidelines QUALIFIED, SUPERVISION

11. 5) Equipment selection and maintenance
Appropriate for the activity
Check equipment before, during and after use.
Remind the boys to take care of the equipment so it’s available and in good shape for future activities.

12. 6) Personal safety equipment
Watercraft
Life Jackets (Set the example !)
Climbing Activities
Proper equipment and supervision
Common Sense !
If it does not feel right, check it out!

13. 7) Safety procedures and policies
Follow the procedures outlined in the “Guide to Safe Scouting”
Use Common Sense !
Think through the possible problems before and during the activity.
You can be safe without being paranoid.

14. 8) Skill level limits Not every boy can participate in every activity
The “swim test” is an excellent example.
Several nights backpacking with a heavy pack might be beyond the ability of a first year scout.
Make provisions for those boys who might otherwise be “left out”

15. 9) Weather check Freezing temperatures Severe Thunderstorms Rain
Flooding
Be prepared (Do boys have gear they need)
A weather radio is a great asset
Abort the campout if necessary but don’t wimp out!
Online Weather training

16. 10) Planning What are you going to do if : Someone gets sick
A scout gets lost
A scout is injured
Do you know how to:
Find a nearby hospital
Reach the authorities (Your cell-phone might not work!)
Do you have a parent at home standing by with a phone list who can help when things go wrong?

17. 11) Communications Planning Enough adults available to assist
Keep up with the boys during the activity, detect problems early

18. 12) Permits and notices Tour and Activity Plan - Recommended
Two deep leadership
Youth Protection Trained
Every boy buckled in!
Reservations
No room for you to camp!
Public campgrounds often fill up. Consider an advance crew.
Comply with all regulations fully, Don’t wing it, Set the Example !

19. 13) First aid resources Golden hour
First Aid Kit consistent with the activity, there are tons of resources to guide you on this.
Backcountry Treks require more consideration.
Know your boys and be prepared to act.

20. 14) Applicable laws Comply with the laws
For example, fishing licenses for adults.
Ignorance of the law is not a defense !
Don’t Trespass !
Set the proper example !

21. 15) CPR resource
You’re the one who is most likely to need it!
AED

22. 16) Discipline
You must be able to control the boys for a safe activity.
If you can’t control a boy, he must be removed from the activity. (don’t give up too easily and involve the parent in the process)

23. Additional Safety Resources
Guide to Safe Scouting
Safe Swim Defense
Safety Afloat
Climb On Safely
Weather Safety

24. Happy Camping!