Planning for Safe Outings

BSA always likes them to come home again-and they can!

OCBSA/RM advocates leaders prepare for safety.

A safe activity follows a plan that has been conscientiously developed by the experienced supervisor or other competent source. Good planning minimizes risks and also anticipates contingencies that may require an emergency response or a change of plan.

Rules of Thumb and Other Furry Friends.

Everyone likes things to be simple, so we are always reducing ideas to their "lowest common denominator." Ten Essentials are a good example. They represent the stuff you need when you've left everything else behind. We call these simplifications "rules of thumb". Here is another one that will help you maintain BSA standards and keep outings (all kinds) from getting out of hand.

The Five "Fs"
Five Things to never bring on a BSA outing
• Firearms *
• Firewater
• Foul Language
• Fireworks
• Furry Friends **

*Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, firearms shall not be brought on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities except those specifically planned for target shooting under the supervision of a currently certified BSA or National Rifle Association firearms instructor.

**A dog can be a boy's best friend, but a pet on an outing can be a serious distraction if lost or injured, or causes an injury. It is best to leave the animals home to be a companion another time.

YPT is Online

You are getting ready for your monthly outdoor activity. Your leaders have been out with the unit before, but the usual leader who is youth-protection trained is on a business trip. Do you have to cancel the outing? There is a better solution: On-line training. In a session of 45 minutes to an hour the scouter can work through the BSA training on-line and obtain a document recording the training. Find access through the Orange County Council site ( OCBSA.org) by selecting TRAINING on the ORANGE border, or go directly to the BSA site at: http://olc.scouting.org/. It will help if you have your "person ID" from your BSA member card, but you can do without it.

PASSPORT TO HIGH ADVENTURE
FACILITATES YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING

Your guide to exciting Boy Scout and Venture adventure planning is available at the Scout Shop. Learn more about it on the BSA Web Site Publications page. Passport to High Adventure is designed to help older Scouts, with guidance from their adult leaders, to plan and safely carry out council and unit high-adventure treks using 'leave no trace' techniques. Get your passport punched and ride your ticket to high adventure! Everything needed to plan a trek! The directory also includes fifty-five council high-adventure programs and seventeen specialty adventure programs.

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