SUMMARY We’ve all caught some kind of infection, or sickness, from someone else. These illnesses are known as communicable or contagious diseases because they are spread from one person to another. They may occur when a healthy person becomes infected through contact with a sick person or by touching something that a sick person has […]

Scouting can be physically and mentally demanding. Environmental, emotional, or physical demands may push the limits of one’s ability to deal with problems. This can result in worsening of preexisting medical or mental health conditions. To help its members Be Prepared, the Boy Scouts of America recommends that everyone who participates in a Scouting activity […]

AHMR Purpose Q. Why does the Boy Scouts of America require all participants to have an Annual Health and Medical Record? A. The Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR) serves many purposes. Completing a health history promotes health and awareness, communicates health status, and provides medical professionals critical information needed to treat a patient in […]

Personal Health and the Annual Health and Medical Record Find the current Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR) at www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr. The Scouting adventure, camping trips, high-adventure excursions, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so are your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in making […]

Welcome to the Boy Scouts of America Health & Safety Resource Page!  At the Boy Scouts of America, the safety and well-being of our Scouts, volunteers, and everyone involved is a value we all share! That’s why we’ve put together this extensive Health & Safety Resources page. It’s not just a collection of information; it’s […]

SUMMARY Bats, pack overnighters, hollow trees, geocaching, and histoplasmosis. I bet you are wondering what they have in common. In this case, 23 participants at a pack overnighter contracted histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus known as Histoplasmosis capsulatum, commonly found in soil enriched by bird and bat droppings. One of the activities […]

Resource Material Aquatics Supervision is the primary resource for aquatics at the unit level. Aquatics activities at district and council day and short-term/long-term (overnight, resident) camps must follow appropriate National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) standards. Aquatics Leadership Training Programs Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training programs are available online at my.scouting.org and may also […]

Adult Audience Only   SUMMARY Preparing for a campout or other event takes a lot of planning. One way to make sure everyone has fun and stays healthy while participating is to use the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist before getting in those vehicles. Helping to prevent the spread of communicable diseases should be included as […]

neurology, epilepsy, magnetic resonance imaging, mri, seizure, health

SUMMARY A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. It can be frightening to see someone have a seizure. Most seizures will stop without intervention, but the goal is to keep the individual from getting hurt during the seizure. Do not try to hold the individual still, but keep them from […]

The safety and health of campers and staff is always the highest priority at camp, and BSA camps have a long history of planning for and managing communicable diseases. With the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) within the United States, camps are reviewing and updating health-related plans and procedures. If there is something you […]

SUMMARY Food-borne illnesses peak during the summer months due to a variety of factors, including warmer temperatures and improper food handling. Keep your meals and your Scouts safe while participating in hikes, campouts, and other outdoor activities with careful menu planning and by following safe food handling practices. Remember the three “C’s” to keep your […]

Much of Scouting occurs in the out of doors where we are the visitors and the animals, insects, and other creatures are at home. The following guidance will help protect us from infections and other risks that we can encounter and that may lead to serious illness. Be Aware Know what risks are possible. Mosquitos, […]

Scuba BSA PDF With Application Scuba BSA introduces qualified Scouts BSA, Venturing, and registered adult participants to to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with scuba diving. Scuba BSA Scuba BSA introduces qualified Scouts BSA, Venturing, and registered adult participants to the special skills, equipment, and safety precautions associated with scuba diving; encourages […]

UPDATED 02/23/22 – The most recent updates are indicated by a diamond in front of the question. In-Person Unit Activities ♦ Q: Should we hold in-person Scouting meetings, outings, or activities? We expect everyone in Scouting to follow the measures listed below, based on CDC guidance. Members, staff, and volunteers must also follow all federal, […]

SUMMARY Carbon monoxide (CO) causes upward of 400 deaths and results in the hospitalization of more than 4,000 people each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of those falling ill don’t know they have CO poisoning because it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. […]

SUMMARY Are you prepared to help in a real and very common crisis—one that could happen at any time? Do you know how to correctly perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)? Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. A heart attack occurs when blood supply to a part of the heart […]

SUMMARY Every day in the U.S., people die from asthma, a chronic lung disease that can worsen at any time and for many different reasons. When asthma is controlled, it should not interfere with a person’s activity; however, when not controlled, it can cause life-threatening symptoms. GENERAL INFORMATION Prepared leaders: Review each Annual Health and […]

The Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility. Leave No Trace Awareness Instilling values in young […]

C: The Unit Leader’s Role  IN THIS MODULE CAN DO ATTITUDE BECOMING AN ACCEPTING UNIT BUILDING EMPATHY BUILDING A UNIT LEADERSHIP TEAM TRAINING & SUPPORTING YOUTH LEADERS COUNTERING MYTHS ABOUT DISABILITIES HELPING VOLUNTEERS FROM OUTSIDE YOUR UNIT OUTING AND ADVENTURE PLANNING SUPPORTING SIBLINGS Can Do Attitude As a Scout leader you will continue to be […]

Find National Service Center content below for each segment of the suggested roundtable formats. This content works for in person, virtual, or hybrid formats. Timely new content is always in development. Check back frequently to see what new relevant content has been added. Roundtable topics are updated frequently and some topics are relevant to when […]

YOUTH SAFETY Our Ongoing Commitment to Keeping Kids Safe The safety of children in our programs is the most important priority of the Boy Scouts of America.  The BSA’s safeguards highlighted below are key parts of our multilayered approach to help keep kids safe. These measures were informed by respected experts in the fields of […]

The Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility. Leave No Trace Awareness Instilling values in young […]

This common saying is a simple yet effective way to get backcountry visitors to take their trash home with them. There is no reason why people cannot carry out of the backcountry the extra food and packaging materials that they carried in with them in the first place. Trash and litter in the backcountry ranks […]

Quick Concept for Dispose of Waste Properly Activity Plan 1 for Dispose of Waste Properly – Exploring Trash Disposal Information Sheet: “Catholes: Proper Disposal of Human Waste” Exploring Disposal of Human Waste This activity should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. What Your Group Will Learn After participating in this activity plan, which is designed […]

The principles of Leave No Trace might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility. 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare Proper trip […]

Outdoor Programs Outdoor Programs/Properties Trail to Adventure Blog ATV Safety Program Aquatics Awards Biking Camping Cub Scout Day Camp Short Term Camp The Scouts BSA Outdoor Program Conservation & Environment COPE and Climbing Fishing Leave No Trace National Camping School National Camp Accreditation Program Outdoor Ethics Guide Outdoor Ethics/Leave No Trace Shooting Sports Why the […]