Council News

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 (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Providing your medical information on this four-part form will help ensure you meet the minimum standards for participation in various activities. Note that unit leaders must always protect the privacy of unit participants by protecting their medical information.
This information may be found on the national website Here

In August 2009, based upon the recommendation of the Risk Management Advisory Panel and Health and Safety Committee, Item 3 of the Winter Sports Safety section in the Guide to Safe Scouting was changed to read as follows:

“APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES. THIS INCLUDES THE RECOMMENDED USE OF HELMETS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN WINTER SPORTS SUCH AS SLEDDING AND OTHER SLIDING DEVICES. THE USE OF HELMETS IS REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: DOWNHILL SKIING, SNOWBOARDING, AND OPERATION OF SNOWMOBILES (FULL-FACE HELMETS).”

The change can only be found at this time in the electronic version of Guide to Safe Scouting. The updated printed version should be available in January 2011.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the following safety guidelines to improve sledding safety:

§  Parents or adults must supervise children at all times while they are sledding. 

§  Sled only in designated areas free of fixed objects such as trees, posts, and fences. 

§  Do not sled on slopes that end in a street, drop-off, parking lot, river, or pond. 

§  All participants must sit in a forward-facing position, steering with their feet or a rope tied to the steering handles of the sled. No one should sled headfirst down a slope. 

§  To protect from injury, it is important to wear helmets, gloves, and layers of clothing. 

§  Do not sit/slide on plastic sheets or other materials that can be pierced by objects on the ground. 

§  Use a sled with runners and a steering mechanism, which is safer than toboggans or snow disks. 

§  Sled in well-lighted areas when choosing evening activities. 

§  Individuals with pre-existing neurological problems may be at a higher risk for injury.

Please remember The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety, which embodies good judgment and common sense for all Scouting activities:

Boy Scouts of America has a new Annual Health and Medical Record. This form replaces the Class 1, 2, and 3 forms and should be used starting now! If you have the old forms you may use them until January 1st, 2010, but we highly suggest that you use the new form. After January 1st, 2010 only the new Annual Health and Medical Record (No. 34605) will be allowed. This form is only good for one calendar year. The form is for both youth and adults.

• Medical Form - Annual Health and Medical Record Form.

Outdoor Channel and the BSA have partnered to produce a series of episodes highlighting the adventure of Scouting in the great outdoors. The show debuts in August 2008, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm Eastern Time - please check your local listings.

• Scouting for Adventure and Boyslife
• Scouting for Adventure Flier (PDF 3.78 MB)
• Episode Guide

A WLACC Camporee is featured in Season Two, Episode 4

WLACC Camp Emerald Bay is featured in Season Two, Episodes 6, 7, & 8!

Applications (registrations, reservations) currently being accepted!

• Boy Scout Summer Camp Registration

The Rugged Adventerers program at Camp Emerald Bay is the cover story of the May-June 2007 edition of Scouting Magazine!

• Scouting Magazine May-June 2007

We would like to clarify the federal tax status of Boy Scout packs, troops, and other units, in response to questions we have received.

• Clarifying Unit Tax-Exempt Status