2. 1 Nuts and Bolts of the Outdoor Program

3. 2 Wow! A campout! (Discussion)

4. 3 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:

5. 4 Oh no, a Campout! (Discussion)

6. 5 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:

7. 6 Skills –Resources Resources ! Safety –Resources Resources !

8. 7 Key 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!

9. 8 The Scoutmaster Handbook Checklists Scoutmaster’s Campsite Quick Checklist Scout Outdoor Essentials Personal Overnight Camping Gear Troop Overnight Camping Gear Outdoor Program Checklist …and your Scoutmaster Handbook

10. 9 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!

11. 10 Leave 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

12. 11 Outdoors: Safety

13. 12 “Sweet 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 !

14. 13 1) Qualified supervision 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

15. 14 2) Physical fitness 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.

16. 15 3) Buddy system 3) Buddy system The buddy system works Stress the importance of the buddy system and challenge lone boys who have “misplaced” their buddy!

17. 16 4) Safe area or course 4) Safe area or course Common Sense ! Swimming –Follow the guidelines Watercraft –Follow the guidelines QUALIFIED, SUPERVISION

18. 17 5) Equipment selection and maintenance 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.

19. 18 6) Personal safety equipment 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!

20. 19 7) Safety procedures and policies 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.

21. 20 8) Skill level limits 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”

22. 21 9) Weather check 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

23. 22 10) Planning 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?

24. 23 11) Communications 11) Communications Planning Enough adults available to assist Keep up with the boys during the activity, detect problems early

25. 24 12) Permits and notices 12) 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 !

26. 25 13) First aid resources 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.

27. 26 14) Applicable laws 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 !

28. 27 15) CPR resource 15) CPR resource You’re the one who is most likely to need it! AED

29. 28 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)

30. 29 Above All Use Common Sense !

31. 30 Additional Safety Resources Additional Safety Resources Guide to Safe Scouting Safe Swim Defense Safety Afloat Climb On Safely Weather Safety

32. 31 Happy Camping!

33. 32