Health & Safety

Youth Protection

The health and safety of our scouts are the top priority of our unit as well as the Boy Scouts of America. To keep our scouts safe at all times, all of our leaders must complete Youth Protection training prior to their first day working with the scouts. They also must retake this training every two years. Additionally, all leaders are given a copy of the Guide to Safe Scouting for Unit Activities, which provides strict and specific guidelines that unit leaders must follow during their scouting events. Parents and leaders may view the most updated version of the Guide to Safe Scouting for Unit Activities on the Boy Scout of America website: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx

Personal Health

In order to provide better care for its members and to assist them in better understanding their own physical capabilities, the Boy Scouts of America recommends that everyone who participates in a Scouting event have an annual medical evaluation by a certified and licensed health care provider— a physician (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

Parts A and B are to be completed at least annually by participants in all Scouting events. This health history, parent or guardian informed consent and hold harmless/ release agreement, and talent release statement are to be completed by the participant and parents or guardians.

— Adult unit leaders should review participants’ health history and become knowledgeable about the medical needs of the youth members in their unit.

— This form is to be filled out by participants and parents or guardians, and kept on file for easy reference.

Part C is the physical exam that is required for participants in any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours, for all high-adventure base participants, or when the nature of the activity is strenuous and demanding. Service projects or work weekends may fit this description.

— Part C is to be completed and signed by a certified and licensed health care provider—physician (M.D. or D.O.), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Preparedness

First Aid is the first help given to someone who has had an accident or other health emergency. If more attention is needed, first-aid treatment helps keep an injured or ill person as safe as possible until medical personnel arrive.

BSA strongly recommends that everyone be trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as an endeavor to revive victims of cardiac arrest (no breathing, no pulse). CPR may be taught by instructors currently trained by a nationally certified provider such as the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Emergency Care and Safety Institute, or American Safety and Health Institute.

Pack #310 is equipped with a first aid kit as well as an emergency preparedness kit that will be in the possession of an adult volunteer on all major scouting events.

Prescriptions

The taking of prescription medication is the responsibility of the individual taking the medication and/or that individual’s parent or guardian. If there is an adult volunteer, on the pack committee or serving as one of the unit leaders, who has been trained to administer medicine to children, they may administer medicine in lieu of the child’s parent or guardian as long as they have consent from the parent or guardian.  

Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use

The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned or operated by Boy Scouts of America, or any activity involving participation of youth members. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not be allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke free basis.

Inspections

First Baptist Church Denbigh provides a meeting place for the scouts to meet. The meeting place including the elevator is inspected annually. All vehicles used to transport scouts, church owned or personally owned, must be inspected annually. All scouting equipment must be inspected on a regular basis.