Boy Scouts of America

Hazard Trees And Hammocks—Jack’s Story

Adult Audience Only

 

SUMMARY

On November 5, 2016, Jack Rose, an 11-year-old member of a local troop, was on an overnight backpacking trip with his father as well as with adult leaders and Scouts from his troop. The group was in the backcountry portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The unit camped at a location that had what may be called a hazard tree. The label “hazard tree” includes dead trees, live trees with dead parts, and live trees that are considered unstable (due to structural defect) and are within striking distance of people or property. A hammock was tied to a dead tree that later fell on Jack’s tent after everyone retired for the evening. Tragically, Jack was killed when the tree struck him.

LESSONS LEARNED

  1. Avoid campsites with hazard trees. Dead trees and dead limbs may fall at any time. A lack of needles, bark, or limbs on a tree may indicate structural defects. Trees with broken tops, multiple downed limbs, ants, or an abundance of woodpecker holes may have internal rot.
  2. If a campsite that contains a hazard tree must be used as a campsite, be sure to place tents, chairs, and hammocks outside the fall radius of the hazard tree and advise campers to avoid this hazard tree failure zone. The fall radius on flat ground is considered one to one and a half times the height of the tree or tree part that could fail.
  3. Have a contingency plan for campsite selection because your first choice may not be available, especially on public lands.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Share Jack’s story before your next camping trip and understand that hazard trees can fall unpredictably.
  • Ensure qualified supervision is in place with the appropriate level of outdoor training.
  • Know and understand all park rules and regulations.
  • Remember to examine campsites to identify any hazard trees.
  • Always test a hammock to ensure it is hung correctly before putting your full weight into it.
  • Don’t use hazard trees or unstable supports to anchor your hammock.

RESOURCES

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.