11

Nuts and Bolts of the Nuts and Bolts of the Outdoor ProgramOutdoor Program

22

Wow! A campout!Wow! A campout!

(Discussion)(Discussion)

33

• Having Fun

• Learn new skills

• Spending Time as a troop

• Focus of troop meetings (preparation and reflection)

• Enjoying the outdoors

• Getting away from home

Enthused about:Enthused about:

44

Oh no, a Campout!Oh no, a Campout!

(Discussion)(Discussion)

55

• 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

Concerns:Concerns:

66

• Skills–Resources Resources !

• Safety–Resources Resources !

77

Key Resources to Develop Your SkillsKey Resources to Develop Your Skills

• BSA training opportunities– Leader specific training– Roundtable– Woodbadge

• Supportive adults - ASK!

• Boy-led troop using the Patrol Method

– If you have older experienced boys, let them lead!

• BSA outdoor-related literature

– Mountains of material available!

88

The Scoutmaster Handbook The Scoutmaster Handbook ChecklistsChecklists

• Scoutmaster’s Campsite Quick Checklist

• Scout Outdoor Essentials

• Personal Overnight Camping Gear

• Troop Overnight Camping Gear

• Outdoor Program Checklist

• …and your Scoutmaster Handbook

99

Most Scouts / Adults Bring too much stuff!Most Scouts / Adults Bring too much stuff!

• If it’s not on the list you probably don’t need it.

• Avoid coolers filled with soda. Encourage the boys to drink water!

• Leave the video games and CD players at home, they detract from the experience.

• Paper plates and soda cans create huge mountains of trash.

• Plan on washing dishes!

1010

Leave No TraceLeave No Trace

• Plan ahead and prepare• Dispose of waste properly• Travel and camp on durable surfaces• Leave what you find• Minimize campfire impact• Respect wildlife• Be considerate of other visitors

1111

Outdoors: SafetyOutdoors: Safety

1212

““Sweet 16” of BSA SafetySweet 16” of BSA Safety• Qualified supervision• Physical fitness• Buddy system• Safe area or course• Equipment selection and

maintenance• Personal safety

equipment• Safety procedures and

policies• Skill level limits

• Weather check• Planning• Communications• Permits and notices• First aid resources• Applicable laws• CPR resource• Discipline• Common Sense !

1313

1) 1) Qualified supervisionQualified 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

1414

2) 2) Physical fitnessPhysical 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 todispense the medications.

1515

3) 3) Buddy systemBuddy system

• The buddy system works

• Stress the importance of the buddy system and challenge lone boys who have “misplaced” their buddy!

1616

4) 4) Safe area or courseSafe area or course

• Common Sense !

• Swimming– Follow the guidelines

• Watercraft– Follow the guidelines

QUALIFIED, SUPERVISION

1717

5) 5) Equipment selection and Equipment selection and maintenancemaintenance

• 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.

1818

6) 6) Personal safety equipmentPersonal 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!

1919

7) 7) Safety procedures and Safety procedures and policiespolicies

• 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.

2020

8) 8) Skill level limitsSkill 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”

2121

9) 9) Weather checkWeather 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 necessarybut don’t wimp out!

• Online Weather training

2222

10) 10) PlanningPlanning• 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?

2323

11) 11) CommunicationsCommunications

• Planning

• Enough adults available to assist• Keep up with the boys during the

activity, detect problems early

2424

12) Permits and notices12) Permits and notices• Tour Plan - Required

– 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 !

2525

13) First aid resources13) 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.

2626

14) 14) ApplicableApplicable laws 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 !

2727

15) CPR resource15) CPR resource

• You’re the one who is most likely to need it!• AED

2828

16) Discipline16) 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)

2929

Above All

Use Common Sense !

3030

Additional Safety ResourcesAdditional Safety Resources

• Guide to Safe Scouting• Safe Swim Defense

• Safety Afloat• Climb On Safely• Weather Safety

3131

Happy Camping!

3232